Episode 318: Technology and career advice for the dental assistant

In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, Kevin Henry interviews Ann-Marie DePalma at the Yankee Dental Congress in Boston. Ann-Marie shares her unique career path, starting as a hygienist and later becoming a dental assistant. They discuss the impact of technology on the dental team and the importance of asking the right questions when adopting new technologies. They also explore the value of trade shows for education and networking. Ann-Marie emphasizes the importance of team education and communication, and suggests that teams can split up to attend different lectures and share their learnings. The episode concludes with Anne-Marie's contact information ([email protected]). Takeaways * Technology plays a significant role in dentistry and it is important for the dental team to stay informed and ask the right questions when adopting new technologies. *Trade shows provide valuable opportunities for education, networking, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in the industry. *Team education and communication are crucial for the success of a dental practice. Everyone in the team should be involved in running team meetings and sharing knowledge. *Teams can split up to attend different lectures at conferences and then come together to share their learnings, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:23 Unique Career Path 03:20 Impact of Technology on the Dental Team 05:16 Involvement of Dental Team in Technology Decisions 06:43 Technology Trends and Impact on Dental Team 08:37 Value of Trade Shows 09:33 Importance of Team Education and Communication 11:01 Team Attendance at Lectures 11:48 Contact Information and Conclusion