More than Chairside: A Podcast for Dental Assistant
More Than Chairside is a podcast for dental assistants who want to grow beyond their current role. It covers digital workflows, professional wins, hard lessons, and the realities of advancing in modern dentistry. The show highlights assistants who are leading, learning, and proving they are more than chairside.
Episodes
This assistant had blood clots, and her dr asked when she was coming back.
Today's episode is wild. I got to talk to an assistant with about 7 years of experience. And during her first few years, she worked in a practice and had a lot of pain, went to the hospital, and it turned out she had blood clots in her lung. Unfortunately, the dentist that she worked with was more worried about when she was returning than her health. It's sad and a little troubling that we hear s
Is there really a Dental Assistant shortage?
I hear it all the time. There is a shortage of dental assistants. But is there? Or is there a shortage of dental offices worth working at? In today's episode, I share what I think and see. I have worked with many dental offices and have seen the behind-the-scenes. When I hear "assistants just don't want to work," I don't always agree. I share how we can make dental practices worth working in, how
Maybe you're "just a dental assistant" and maybe you're not?
How many times have you introduced yourself as "just the assistant"? In this solo episode, I'm getting real about that one little word and what it's quietly costing us as dental assistants: our pay, our respect, our opportunities, and our confidence. I talk about where "just" comes from, why so many of us shrink ourselves to keep the peace, and all the invisible work we carry every single day. I s
I can't believe the story I saw on social media! Wow!
I was scrolling Facebook and came across a few posts that really got to me. I can't believe that these things still happen in dentistry. When are we going to start supporting each other? As a trainer, I have heard many dentists say assistants don't want to work. I think I found a reason. Unfortunately, sometimes it's the environment. And it sucks. We need to change it. I would love to hear what
My Story! Why did I go into dentistry?
I have been a dental assistant for a little over 15 years. But why? I have seen many of the great things and crap things we all see as dental assistants. I've assisted with oral surgery and worked in pediatrics. In today's episode, I share why I got into dentistry, what I love, and some of my frustrations. I talk about why I started this podcast and who it's for. It's for dental assistants. Did y
Who has dental anxiety? Lets talk to Erin Freeman.
Erin is a Holistic Life Coach who is bringing her skills and experiences as a coach and dental assistant to dental practices. She shares how she works with dental teams to help patients with all their anxieties in the dental chair. She is also an RDA teacher, and she is guiding new dental assistants and students on how to see the signs and helping them be a step ahead of other new assistants. Thi
Talking to Sara
Today's episode is a little different. I am talking to Sara Downun. She is VP of sales and development at SmileBoxx. Why SmileBoxx? I see and hear all the time that dental assistants are looking for side hustles, or even something outside of the office. This is that talk. She talks about a pretty cool opportunity for dental assistants and how you can make a little more money and still keep your D
Episode 17: Joanne is back!! I have a specific question for her.
Joanna Ignatov is back!!! She was on episode #3; if you missed it, go back and listen! She is great! Today I ask Joanne a specific question that, as a Dental Assistant, I run into often. Especially when I am in an office teaching. What is that question? "What can we do, as an assistant, to help our team take accountability?" She gives me some actionable steps and advice. I know many of you are
Episode 16: Talking with Brittany, "Certified Nerd, Dental Assistant"
Today I am talking to Brittany. She is a dental assistant who is a "certified nerd". She was a lot of fun to talk to and hear her story. It is a lot like many other dental assistants. She has worked in multiple dental offices. She kept looking for her dental home. It took her 6 years to find it. She talks about working with veterans, she's done some volunteer work, and how working out keeps her bo
Talking to Ashley, a Dental Assistant in Nashville
In this episode, I'm hanging out with Ashley Dishman, an EFDA working in a general dental practice in Nashville, TN. Ashley loves what she does—especially placing fillings—and she shares what she enjoys most about being an EFDA and working chairside. We talk about her experiences in dentistry, the day-to-day life of working in a general practice, and, of course, some of the funny and unexpected st
Talking to Courntey, a Dental Assistant that is running her own school
In this episode, I'm joined by Courtney, owner of MyRDA Academy, for a great conversation about what it takes to build a strong dental team. We talk about why teamwork matters, how to create a supportive culture in your practice, and the challenges that come with bringing new dental assistants into the profession. Courtney shares her experience training future dental assistants and offers practica
Talking to Dr. David Rice, a dentist working with dental assistants
What happens when a dentist truly champions the people at the chairside? In this episode, I got to talk with Dr. David Rice, a practicing dentist, best-selling author of From Student to CEO, Editor-in-Chief of DentistryIQ, and founder of igniteDDS, the nation's largest community for new dentists and dental students. Dr. Rice has built his career around a team-centered philosophy, and he doesn't ho
Talking to Sinead, a Dental Assistant in Chicago
This podcast is for Dental Assistants. I sit down with Sinead from @digitalsinead to talk about her journey into the world of digital dentistry and 3D design. She shares how she got started, the experiences that shaped her career, and the path that led her to where she is today. We also dive into how she navigated dental interviews, building strong relationships within dental teams, and the import
Talking about Leadership and Boundaries with Brandi Marzolino
As dental assistants, we talk about these all the time. We push hard to be team players — and still feel unseen. This week, I sit down with Brandi Marzolino from The Real Talk of Dental podcast. We dig into what boundaries actually look like for DAs, and how setting them is its own form of leadership. Brandi shares a killer comparison — dental assistants and flower pots. You've got to be in the
Talking Pay and DA School with Lisa Stevenson
First off, I have to apologize. I had some issues recording this episode, and at times there is an echo. Ugh, not good, I know. On today's episode, I talk with Lisa Stevenson at the Arizona School of Dental Assisting. She tells me how she advocates for her students to get the pay they deserve and to know their value. We talk about what we learn in dental assistant school, how some of it is a wast
Amy Reynolds and how she used her DA skills to work at Henry Schein.
Today I am talking to Amy Reynolds. She is a dental assistant who used her training to advance her career into education. She works with Henry Schein and trains dental teams. She has so much knowledge with scanners and chairside. We talk about what she is doing and how she got there. There are some great tips for dental assistants wanting to take their career outside the office. What do you want t
Talking to Sherrie Busby with Dental Assistant Connection!
I had the best time chatting with Sherrie Busby from Dental Assistant Connection, and honestly, this episode felt like a conversation we've needed to have for a long time. Sherrie is all about helping dental assistants level up — and we're talking about everything from getting more education to getting up on a stage and sharing your story. We talk about why assistants are so often the heart of a
Part 2 Talking to the ADAA President!
I finish my conversation with Erin Hendricks, the American Dental Assistant Association President. She brings her goals for the dental assistant organization, and we talk about the OPA program. It's taking a lot of heat right now. What do you think about it? We share our thoughts and more with the roles of DA's in the US. ADAA Site @TheSocialAsst
I get to talk to the ADAA President!
In this first part of a two-episode conversation, I sit down with Erin Hendricks, President of the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA). From the moment we connected, I knew this was going to be a special one. Erin's story is a powerful reminder of just how much dental assistants can accomplish and how far this profession can take you when you lean into it fully. We dig into her journey
Dental Assistants, How Burnt Out are You?
This week I'm joined by Chelsea Homire, @chelsea_the_digital_da, and we're having the conversation so many dental assistants need to hear. We talk about burnout, the long hours, feeling expected to always do more, and the pressure that comes with trying to keep everything moving while putting yourself last. But we also talk about the other side of it… setting boundaries, knowing your worth, and re
Talking to a Dental Assistant in Florida!
On this episode of More Than Chairside, we sit down with Hanna, a dental assistant who truly loves where she works. She shares what it's like to be part of a practice where the doctors empower their team, support growth, and create an environment where assistants can thrive. We also dive into the real side of dental assisting — the funny moments, everyday chaos, and stories every assistant will re
How can Dentists and Dental Assistants THRIVE together?
Today on More Than Chairside, I'm talking with Dental Assisting Collective founder Joanne about what it's really like being a new dental assistant. dentalassistingcollective.com We talk about the overwhelm, the pressure to "figure it out," and how assistants can truly thrive inside a dental practice instead of just surviving day to day. From building confidence and finding your place on the team t
The Many Hats of Dental Assistants
Today, I'm joined by Chelsea Homire—my co-founder at Digital Dental Assistant Academy—and we're diving into something every dental assistant knows all too well… the MANY hats we wear every single day. From clinical support to patient care, scheduling, problem-solving, and everything in between—dental assistants truly keep the practice running. In this episode, we talk about just how much assistant
More Than Chairside Intro
Welcome to the very first episode of More Than Chairside—the podcast made for dental assistants, by a dental assistant. I'm Rochelle Foote, a dental assistant of 14+ years and co-founder of the Digital Dental Assistant Academy, and in this episode, I'm sharing why this podcast needed to exist. Because let's be honest… There are so many podcasts for dentists, hygienists, and office managers—but whe
