Dentist mental wellness, substance abuse, and self-harm
Release Date: 07/31/2025
Dentist mental wellness, substance abuse, and self-harm
AzDA's Audio Amalgam podcast
Feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or just not like yourself lately? You're not alone. In this candid and deeply relatable episode of Audio Amalgam, four Arizona dentists open up about the real mental health challenges behind the smile—sharing personal stories of burnout, perfectionism, addiction, financial stress, and the silent struggles many dental professionals face. If you've ever questioned your self-worth after a tough patient encounter or felt isolated running your practice, this podcast offers not only empathy, but practical insights, humor, and hope. Tune in to hear how your peers...
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Patient de-escalation—Managing patient emotions and expectations
AzDA's Audio Amalgam podcast
AzDA member dentists Dr. Jennifer Fineberg, Dr. Lisa Bienstock, and Dr. Rob Roda emphasize that patient distress in dental offices often stems from fear of the unknown, lack of control, financial concerns, and personal stressors. To de-escalate tense situations, they recommend clear, jargon-free communication, visual aids, active listening, and empathy—acknowledging patient fears, sharing vulnerability, and offering sincere compliments to build trust. Financial transparency is also critical; strategies include signed agreements, clear insurance expectations, and, when needed, offering...
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Preventing dental-legal entanglements with BODEX
AzDA's Audio Amalgam podcast
Listening to this podcast is a must for any dentist practicing in Arizona. Current Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners President Dr. Anthony Herro sits down with attorney Jeff Tonner of The Dental Advocate in an engaging, eye-opening discussion about navigating Board complaints, identifying potentially problematic patients, and most important, steps you can take to protect yourself and your practice in this sue-happy culture we live in. If you're an AzDA member dentist, your support allows us to bring programs like this to you. Thank you. If you're not an AzDA member dentist, we want...
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Dental embezzlement. How to protect yourself, and what to do if it happens
AzDA's Audio Amalgam podcast
A no-nonsense, in-depth look at embezzlement in the dental office. How dentists can protect themselves from being a victim and what to do if they suspect something is amiss. AZ Dental CPA Chris Torregrossa () shares practical insights that will help you mitigate embezzlement risk (as well as offer some advice that's going to surprise you). Embezzlement can happen anytime, anywhere, and to anyone (no matter how much you trust your dental team). This podcast is definitely worth a listen. Host Jeremy Tuber, AzDA marcom director.
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Demystifying ERISA, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
AzDA's Audio Amalgam podcast
In this podcast, AzDA Executive Director Dr. Regina Cobb and AzDA member dentist Dr. Anthony Dicello cover: ERISA, what is it? Let’s clear up the mystery once and for all. What is it originally created for? Who is it really benefiting? How are insurance companies using it? ERISA is the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, which was designed to set minimum standards for most voluntarily established retirement and health plans in private industry to provide protection for individuals in these plans. It provides fiduciary responsibilities for those who manage and control plan assets,...
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Creating and leveraging the heck out of a patient referral program
AzDA's Audio Amalgam podcast
88% of dentists say that referrals are their number one source of new patients. However, most dentists lack a system for attracting new patients through referrals. In this podcast, guest Brandon Barnum, Chairman of Champion Dentists, touches on the art of asking for referrals, setting the stage, listening for referral triggers, and then making the ask. He also explores the role of incentives and gamification in encouraging the dental team to actively seek referrals. The podcast then moves into offering insights into opportunities for dentists to increase profitability through partnerships,...
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Workforce and staffing challenges—a frank conversation between three established dentists
AzDA's Audio Amalgam podcast
In this latest Audio Amalgam podcast, three AzDA member dentists (two practice in an urban setting; one in a rural) discuss the challenges they face in hiring, training, and managing their dental staff. Their frank discussion covers finding the right employees, conducting performance reviews, and making the decision to let someone go. They also discuss the changing landscape of the dental workforce and the importance of creating a positive work environment. Host Dr. Eric Curtis, Dr. Brett Dameron, and Dr. Allison House share their personal experiences and strategies for managing their teams...
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Spotlight on the AzDA member dentist Dr. Kent Tuttle and his Smile Movement
AzDA's Audio Amalgam podcast
The podcast episode features an interview with Dr. Kent Tuttle, a dentist who is passionate about charity work and making a positive impact. Dr. Tuttle discusses his background in dentistry, including his initial hesitation to pursue the profession and how witnessing humanitarian dentistry in Ecuador changed his perspective. He explains that he wants to inspire others to prioritize impact over money and emphasizes the benefits of doing charity work for dental practices and their staff. Dr. Tuttle also outlines his charity movement called "The Smile Movement," which focuses on providing...
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Response to the "Arizona dental board fails to protect public, hold dentists accountable" article published by ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
AzDA's Audio Amalgam podcast
Arizona dentists, you might be aware of an article that was recently published by a handful of students at ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. The article was picked up by a few local publications. Leadership at the Arizona Dental Association (AzDA) and the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners (BODEX) felt the article was inaccurate, unfair, and biased. As a result, ASU Lead Editor Mr. Kenneth Foskett received a candid, stern email from AzDA Executive Director Dr. Regina Cobb—expressing the Association's disapproval of the student reporters' lack of transparency and...
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What dentists can do to prevent and be prepared to respond to a Board complaint
AzDA's Audio Amalgam podcast
Feel like the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners (BODEX) is kind of a mystery? Wonder how it really works and what to do if you're contacted by them. In this episode, we're featuring two dentists who know it inside and out: Dr. Anthony Caputo is a Dentist Anesthesiologist—practicing in Arizona since 1997. He has been involved with BODEX for over 20 years serving as a sedation and anesthesia evaluator, consultant and committee member. Currently, Dr. Caputo serves on the Investigative Committee and is the Chair of the committee. He is passionate about educating dentists to...
info_outlineFeeling overwhelmed, burned out, or just not like yourself lately? You're not alone. In this candid and deeply relatable episode of Audio Amalgam, four Arizona dentists open up about the real mental health challenges behind the smile—sharing personal stories of burnout, perfectionism, addiction, financial stress, and the silent struggles many dental professionals face. If you've ever questioned your self-worth after a tough patient encounter or felt isolated running your practice, this podcast offers not only empathy, but practical insights, humor, and hope. Tune in to hear how your peers are finding balance, building resilience, and rediscovering joy in dentistry.
If you're a dentist who needs help, consider reaching out to the speakers in this podcast, or you can call the AzDA office (480.344.5777) so a referral can be made to the Dentists Concerned for Dentists Committee (DCD). The DCD has been in existence for more than thirty years. It is comprised of a group of fellow dentists who, with their past experience, can come to the aid of any of our fellow practitioners who are in distress (with the use or abuse of alcohol, or prescription/non-prescription chemicals).
Dr. Pete Mellas (602) 741-3300 (C)
Dr. Allison House (602) 316-6215 (C)
Dr. Ann Blue (602) 677-5331 (C)
Dr. Elliot Martich (602) 920-4271 (C)
Dr. Jeffrey Garelick (480) 216-7131 (C) (not in this podcast)