Dr. Carolyn Strom joins host Dr. Joel Berg to discuss the impact of literacy on how the brain continues to learn and process information. Dr. Strom shares her experience as a first-grade teacher in an area with high rates of intergenerational illiteracy and how her interactions with parents and students led her to dive deeper into the neurosciences of learning and comprehension, particularly in relation to dyslexia. She speaks to how implementing the science of learning matters as the brain learns new skills – and how this thinking can also be utilized in the dental sphere.

Guest Bio:

Carolyn Strom is a clinical professor, reading specialist, and former first grade teacher. She collaborates widely with school districts, families, educators, and ed tech companies to bridge the disconnect between neuroscientific research and educational practice. Dr. Strom is a recent recipient of NYU Steinhardt's Teaching Excellence Award and has published her work in The Reading Teacher, The Reading League Journal, and The Handbook of Learning Disabilities. She maintains a clinical practice in New York working with children who have dyslexia.

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On this exciting episode of LTBS, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by AAPD 2025 keynote speaker Mick Ebeling for a candid conversation delving into Mick’s mantra of “commit, then figure it out.” Sharing the story of an accidental invention that made the seemingly impossible possible, he highlights his unique problem-solving approach that brings together passionate and talented people to create solutions that better the world. Mick also speaks to the impact that grounding yourself in the belief that something that’s possible today was once considered impossible can have on your ability to make change.

Guest Bio:

Named Fortune’s Top 50 World’s Greatest Leaders and honored with the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award, Mick Ebeling is a groundbreaking innovator dedicated to changing the world through innovation and story. As the Founder of Not Impossible Labs – an innovation incubator disrupting the status quo and tackling seemingly impossible problems – Mick has spent over a decade driving a movement of positive impact for the sake of humanity. Through his “Help One. Help Many” approach, Mick and his team have created some of the most internationally celebrated inventions, including The Eyewriter, Project Daniel, and Don’s Voice, as well as their most recent spin-off companies, Bento (formerly Hunger: Not Impossible) and Music: Not Impossible. His work has been recognized as a 3x recipient of TIME’s Best Inventions and Fast Company's World Changing Ideas. Mick continues to inspire, empower, and teach individuals, organizations, and communities to take bold action, so they too can make the impossible, NOT impossible.

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Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Rose Dodson, founder and CEO of Sedation Resources for this episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles. Dodson discusses the importance in a strong foundation for sedation management and how emergency training is an integral piece of a practitioner’s overall skill set. She also delves into the latest updates in technology supporting safety.

Guest Bio:

Rose Dodson is the founder and CEO of Sedation Resource, a long-time Silver Sponsor of the AAPD. For over 20 years, Rose and her team have been dedicated to patient safety and supporting dental sedation practitioners. Rose has a Master’s in Business Leadership and Management and a deep understanding of sedation equipment and emergency preparedness. She even developed an amplified Bluetooth pre-tracheal stethoscope to improve patient monitoring. Most recently, she collaborated with the "Ten Minutes Saves a Life" initiative to create the Simulation Toolkit, designed to help with emergency response training. Rose shares her expertise through presentations and articles, always focused on practical solutions for sedation practitioners, and she has been directly involved in the hands-on participation sessions at the AAPD’s sedation courses. She also enjoys sharing insights on safety, innovation, and how she’s working to support the pediatric dental community.

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Dr. Jade Miller joins host Dr. Joel Berg for a very special episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles discussing a major opportunity within organized dentistry. After nearly 25 years, Dr. John Rutkauskas will be retiring as AAPD CEO in July 2026. Dr. Miller, as chair of the search committee to find AAPD’s new leader, shares details of the role as well as what it means to join an AAPD staff committed to the optimal oral health for all children.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Jade Miller is a board-certified pediatric dentist who since 1983 has maintained a private practice in Reno, Nevada. Dr. Miller is a faculty member in dental and medical education, as well as a member in some of the country’s most prestigious dental organizations. A past American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry president, he is the current AAPD Board of Trustees Congressional Liaison. While Dr. Miller has been practicing pediatric dentistry for four decades, his education has never really ended. He devotes time to continuing education so that he can offer “his kids” the best and most modern treatments available. Dr. Miller has dedicated his career to keeping at the forefront of pediatric developments and providing his patients with the best service available. Dr. Miller is married and has three children.

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Legendary pediatric dentist Dr. Heber Simmons joins little teeth, BIG Smiles host Dr. Joel Berg, for a conversation featuring the highlights of his nearly six-decade long career. A previous AAPD Distinguished Service Award recipient, Dr. Simmons shares in detail the highlights of his career, beginning with how he got started in pediatric dentistry during his time in the Army and as the first pediatric dentist in Mississippi all the way through President of the AAPD and beyond. Dr. Simmons also delves into his “60 Minutes” appearance on behalf of the Academy and how his message still resonates with dental professionals and parents.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Heber Simmons, Jr. attended the University of Mississippi and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He received his DDS degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1957. Dr. Simmons served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps for three years at Fort Knox, Kentucky, attaining the rank of captain. He received his Master of Science in pedodontics degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1962 and subsequently was in private practice in Jackson, Mississippi for 57 years. Dr. Simmons has been a member of a host of organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association and its affiliates, as well various related professional organizations. He's a Fellow in the American and International College of Dentists, OKU, and the Pierre Fauchard Society. He has served as a delegate to the ADA House of Delegates, on the Council of Dental Practice of the ADA, and was the ADA's fifth district trustee representing Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida from 1989 to 1993. Dr. Simmons is a past president of the AAPD and various other organizations. He received the AAPD Distinguished Service Award in 1997. As of 2024, that award is now known as the Dr. Heber Simmons, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. In 2017, the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry established the Heber Simmons, Jr. Endowed Professorship in Pediatric Dentistry in honor of his exceptional service to the profession. Dr. Simmons’ complete CV highlighting six decades of extraordinary work is available here.

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In the latest episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Don Schmitt for a discussion on the importance of fluoride. A hot topic in recent news, fluoride – and specifically water fluoridation – has decades of science supporting its positive impact on the prevention of tooth decay. This is a great listen for a clinician looking for support with in-office conversations with patient families or a parent looking to better understand better how fluoride supports not only the oral health – but the overall health – of children.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Don Schmitt has been in private practice in Danville and Concord, Calif. for over 20 years that was originally started by his father almost 70 years ago. Dr. Schmitt received his Bachelors degree from the University of California at Berkeley and D.D.S. degree from the University of the Pacific Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry. He completed a residency in pediatric dentistry at the University of Southern California. Dr. Schmitt currently is on the faculty of the University of the Pacific teaching in the predoctoral clinic. Involved in organized dentistry starting in dental school, Schmitt has served on the Board of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry in a variety of positions since 2011 and is now President. He is also the current Western District Trustee for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Previously he was President of the CSPD Foundation. Dr. Schmitt is a member of Cohort VII of the AAPD Leadership Institute at the Kellogg School of Management and the Annual Session Scientific Program Committee. Outside dentistry, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two adult sons, traveling, and playing golf.

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Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. John Blake, the current Affiliate Membership Trustee of the AAPD Board, to for a conversation focused on how the advocacy and research of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry influences and supports not only pediatric dentists, but general dentists as well. Dr. Blake shares his unique professional journey as a general dentist focused on pediatric needs and how it led to various leadership roles in organized dentistry.

Guest Bio:

Dr. John Blake is the Executive Director and Dental Director of the Children’s Dental Health Clinic (CDHC) in Long Beach, Calif. This non-profit program and teaching facility helps the comprehensive dental needs of underserved, special needs and medically complex patients in their Long Beach and Catalina Island programs. Prior to joining CDHC, Blake spent his first 12 years in private practice. He is the current Affiliate Member of the AAPD Board of Trustees and President of the California Dental Association (CDA). He has also served on the CDA Council on Government Affairs for the past 6 years while remaining active with oral health related policy and legislative issues. Blake is also the president of the Living Hope Clinical Foundation, a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the Pierre Fuchard Academy, a part-time faculty member of the USC. School of Dentistry, and a member of the ADA council on government affairs. In addition, he helped start the CARE Dental program at St. Mary’s Hospital. This grant-funded non-profit program is specific to patients with HIV.

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Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by seasoned talent acquisition expert Ron Harrison for a conversation focused on the struggles of finding – and keeping – talent in dentistry. Harrison specifically dives into the similarities between the hiring practices of the early 2000s tech boom companies and DSOs, and how they can impact smaller, privately-owned practices. Learn how important a fast-paced, efficient decision-making process is when hiring to best meet your staffing needs in a competitive market.

Guest Bio:

Ron Harrison is a seasoned talent acquisition expert with over two decades of recruiting experience. He is the founder of two successful technology recruiting firms and has trained hundreds of recruiters and recruiting leaders throughout his career. Drawing on his deep understanding of competitive hiring markets, including his time working in Silicon Valley during the tech boom and bust cycles, Ron has brought his expertise to the dental industry through Sage Dental Recruiting Outsourcing (Sage DRO).

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