The Dr. Phil Klein Dental Podcast

This episode addresses how MTA—mineral trioxide aggregate—can be used as both an indirect and direct pulp cap and is ideal for perforations. MTA isn’t just an endodontist's material—it’s very much a general dentist’s material as well. Especially now, as more of us focus on minimally invasive dentistry and are doing everything we can to preserve the natural tooth. Our guest is Dr. Ryan Walsh, who maintains a full time private practice in Keller, TX. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics (ABE) and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Journal of Endodontics. Dr. Walsh maintains an appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor at Texas A&M College of Dentistry and is actively involved in clinical research pertaining to bioactive materials, resorption processes, and clinical outcomes. He has lectured nationally and internationally on several topics in his specialty and has published multiple peer-reviewed articles and abstracts.

What if the secret to transforming traumatic immediate denture experiences lies not in technique alone, but in what happens months before you even pick up the forceps?
Dr. Lori Trost is a comprehensive restorative dentist practicing in Columbia, Illinois, who has revolutionized her approach to immediate dentures through evidence-based nutritional protocols. A recognized dental educator, clinical evaluator for dental manufacturers, and prolific author, Dr. Trost is a member of the ADA, ASDA, and AGD, serves as a board member of the AACO, and was honored as a Shils Foundation Award recipient for entrepreneurial spirit and leadership. She was named one of the "Top 25 Women in Dentistry" by Dental Products Report in 2013, bringing decades of clinical experience to her innovative patient care approach.
This episode explores Dr. Trost's comprehensive nutritional protocol that has dramatically improved healing outcomes for immediate denture patients. After observing patterns of delayed healing and increased discomfort in extraction cases, she developed a three-month pre-surgical regimen targeting bacterial balance, cellular health, and pain management. Her evidence-based approach combines specific probiotic therapy with targeted nutritional supplementation, resulting in faster healing, reduced post-operative discomfort, and improved patient satisfaction.
Episode Highlights:
Strain-specific probiotic therapy using L. reuteri has been clinically proven to promote periodontal healing and bone scaffolding in extraction sites. Patients begin taking one lozenge twice daily three months before extractions, establishing optimal bacterial balance in both gut and oral environments.
Vitamin C supplementation at 1000 milligrams daily addresses widespread deficiencies in immediate denture candidates, particularly smokers who lose 75 milligrams of vitamin C per cigarette consumed. This antioxidant therapy promotes wound healing while blocking histamine release that can interfere with tissue repair.
Quality protein powder supplementation provides essential amino acids including arginine and glutamine that drive cellular metabolism and healing capacity. This becomes critical for patients with compromised dentition who cannot adequately chew protein-rich foods and often rely on high-sugar nutritional drinks.
Socket gel application containing aloe and cloves provides immediate post-extraction comfort when placed inside the immediate denture against extraction sites. This natural product eliminates the need for narcotic prescriptions even in cases involving six to eight extractions per arch while providing slight retention benefits.
Digital denture workflows using intraoral scanning and 3D printing have revolutionized immediate denture accuracy and reduced adjustment appointments. Printed dentures using established resin materials can be fabricated within hours and demonstrate superior fit compared to traditional impression techniques.
Perfect for: General dentists performing extractions and immediate dentures, prosthodontists seeking evidence-based healing protocols, and clinicians interested in integrating nutritional medicine into dental practice.
Discover how this comprehensive approach can transform your most challenging cases into predictable successes while elevating your standard of patient care.

How confident are you that the water flowing from your dental units is truly safe for every patient? While most practices trust their municipal water supply, the real contamination risk lies within those narrow dental unit water lines where biofilm thrives and dangerous bacteria can multiply undetected.
Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, brings over two decades of dental expertise to this critical discussion. Beginning her career as a dental assistant before earning her dental hygiene degree, she also holds a bachelor's degree in health science from the Medical University of South Carolina and a master's in dental hygiene education from the University of Bridgeport. Currently serving as cofounder of Level Up Infection Prevention, host of A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast, client success manager for TeleDent by MouthWatch, and owner of MichelleStrangeRDH, she continues practicing as a dental hygienist while maintaining her Certificate in Dental Infection Prevention and Control.
This episode tackles one of dentistry's most overlooked safety protocols through Michelle's proven "test, shock, and maintain" approach to waterline management. She explains why even compliant practices can experience sudden failures, how biofilm development mirrors periodontal disease progression, and why dental unit water lines represent the "canary in the coal mine" for overall infection control compliance. The discussion covers practical implementation strategies that busy practices can actually sustain.
Episode Highlights:
Testing protocol requires a minimum of three monthly passing tests before transitioning to quarterly monitoring, with practices choosing between 15-minute in-office results using rapid tests or comprehensive mail-in laboratory analysis that captures slow-growing organisms over seven days of incubation.
Shock treatment involves running concentrated disinfectant solutions through all water-receiving lines until visible throughout the system, followed by overnight contact time and thorough flushing with clear water before patient use resumes the following day.
Maintenance systems include either daily tablet placement in water bottles or cartridge straw systems that provide continuous silver ion treatment, with cartridge systems offering superior compliance despite higher costs compared to manual tablet protocols.
Water bottle systems are essential for proper treatment delivery since municipal water connections cannot accommodate shock protocols or consistent chemical treatment, requiring retrofitting in practices currently using direct city water feeds.
Documentation becomes legally critical during health department investigations or outbreak scenarios, requiring written standard operating procedures and detailed records that demonstrate consistent adherence to established waterline management protocols.
Perfect for: General dentists, dental hygienists, practice managers, and infection control coordinators seeking evidence-based waterline management protocols that protect patients while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Don't wait for a contamination event to discover your waterline vulnerabilities – implement these proven protocols now.

Are you running your practice, or is your practice running you? The difference between these two scenarios often determines the gap between career burnout and lasting professional satisfaction in dentistry.
Dr. Rob Ritter brings over 30 years of experience as a cosmetic dentist and practice owner who has built a reputation for excellence through intentional leadership and unwavering vision. He is a published author in multiple dental journals including PPAD, Signature, Spectrum, Dentistry Today, and Contemporary Esthetics, serves on editorial boards for PPAD Practical Periodontics and Aesthetic Dentistry and Spectrum Magazine, and works as a product consultant to numerous dental manufacturers. His national and international lectures focus on cosmetic dentistry, new materials, and practice transformation strategies.
This episode explores the fundamental principles of achieving career satisfaction in dentistry through maintaining control, defining your practice vision, and surrounding yourself with the right mentors and colleagues. Dr. Ritter shares how he transformed a traditional practice into a cosmetic-focused destination despite initial resistance from local colleagues, demonstrating that success comes from staying true to your professional vision regardless of external opinions.
Episode Highlights:Practice ownership requires a clear decision about who controls the direction of care - the dentist, team members, or patients. When patients or inadequately supervised team members drive practice decisions, stress and dissatisfaction inevitably follow, making it essential for doctors to establish and maintain leadership authority from day one.
Financial literacy forms the foundation of practice success, with monthly profit and loss analysis being critical for sustainable growth. Many dentists lack basic business knowledge like understanding appropriate lab cost percentages (10-12% for general practices, higher for cosmetic-focused practices) and fail to work with dental-specific accountants who understand industry benchmarks.
Continuing education should extend far beyond clinical techniques to include business management, patient communication, team leadership, and practice marketing. The most successful practitioners invest heavily in learning how to run the business aspects of dentistry, not just the technical procedures.
Career satisfaction develops when dentists reach unconscious competence in their chosen specialty area, which requires years of focused practice, continuous learning, and collaboration with like-minded colleagues who share similar practice visions. This competence comes from deliberate skill development rather than simply treating more patients.
Professional mentorship and networking outside your local market provides invaluable guidance without competitive conflicts. Building relationships with successful dentists in other geographic areas allows for open information sharing, collaborative problem-solving, and career guidance that local colleagues may be reluctant to provide.

Perfect for: Practice owners and associates looking to gain control of their careers, dental entrepreneurs planning practice transitions, and any dentist struggling with work-life balance or professional direction.
Discover how to build the practice of your dreams while maintaining the leadership control necessary for long-term career satisfaction.

Dentists face significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and burnout than the general population—and it’s something we don’t talk about enough. Our guest today is Dr. Joshua Austin, a full-time restorative dentist. He lectures nationally and internationally on clinical dentistry and mental health. Dr. Austin understands the pressures of operating a dental practice firsthand. After going through a period of intense stress, he realized something had to change. He made the decision to rebuild—not just his practice, but his life. Today, we’re going to hear that story—the struggles, the wake-up call, and the intentional steps he took to find joy in dentistry again.