The Fulcrum Podcast

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SUMMARY: In this episode, host Paul Logan talks with Dr. Deidre Wilson (Wytheville) and Dr. Scott Wolpin (Virginia’s Eastern Shore) about practicing in rural, high-need areas. Dr. Wilson describes her path from VCU to a hospital-based residency at Carilion and her focus on special needs dentistry. Dr. Wolpin recounts training at Johns Hopkins, decades in community health centers, and serving patients with complex medical needs. Both emphasize residencies (GPR/AEGD) to build the broader clinical and medical experience needed where specialists are scarce. They discuss Virginia’s expanded adult dental Medicaid benefit, reimbursement increases, and concerns about how a proposed Medicaid cap would affect care.

HOST: Paul Logan of the Virginia Dental Association. Paul focuses on member advocacy, developing resources for dental students and early career dentists, and working with a broad array of stakeholders to elevate and address Virginia’s dental workforce needs. Paul currently serves on the executive committee of the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure and the College Board of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Outside of work, he’s trying to keep up with his young daughters.

GUESTS:

Dr. Deidre Wilson is a general dentist in Wytheville, VA. Her passion in dentistry is special needs dentistry, and she treats patients in her office and the operating room at the local hospital. She graduated from VCU School of Dentistry and completed a general dentistry residency at Carillon.

Dr. Scott Wolpin earned his DMD from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and completed a General Practice Residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Wolpin has served as dental director for three community health center programs and currently is Chief Dental Officer at Eastern Shore Rural Health System in Virginia. Dr. Wolpin is a former president of the National Network for Oral Health Access and has served as president of both the Eastern Shore Dental Society and the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved.

EPISODE CREDITS

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Paul Logan

Guests: Dr. Deidre Wilson and Dr. Scott Wolpin

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

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The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: In this episode, Ryan updates members on VDA workforce initiatives, Dental Days at the Capitol coming up in January, the VDA Member 401(k) pooled employer plan, and encourages members to designate R.K. Tongue as broker of record for health insurance. He notes the success of the 2026 Virginia Dental Showcase and announces a 2027 joint meeting with the West Virginia Dental Association July 16–18 at The Greenbrier.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles in four national and statewide Associations while also working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Update on Dental Assistant Scaling Certificate Program

Dental Days at the Capitol

VDA Member Perks

Bridging Smiles - Joint VDA and West Virginia Dental Association Conference

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The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: Ryan Dunn, CEO of the Virginia Dental Association, shares updates on VDA initiatives supporting professional development, practice success, and advocacy.

• Virginia Dental Showcase: Sept. 18–19 at The Omni Homestead Resort, featuring networking, an exhibit hall, and 18 hours of CE covering finance, practice ownership, AI, caries/biofilm, wellness, and more.
• Practice Success: Learn about CART (Confidential Assessment and Review of Treatment), a member benefit for confidential incident review and patient safety/quality assurance. He also highlights the Oct. 6 VDA–VCU Career Fair for practice recruitment.
• Advocacy: New workforce laws expand duties for qualified dental assistants following required training. VDA is developing curriculum and raising awareness about hygiene workforce shortages.
• Medicaid Update: The adult Medicaid dental spending cap remains unchanged for now. Provider input sessions are planned, and practices should wait for formal guidance before making changes.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles in four national and statewide Associations while also working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

2026 Virginia Dental Showcase

CART – Confidential Assessment and Review of Treatment

VDA/VCU Career Fair

Workforce Updates

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Ryan Dunn

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: In this episode, we’ve partnered with the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) to bring you the VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast, featuring Dr. Cameron Roberts, DDS, Dental Director for the Augusta Regional Dental Clinic. Dr. Roberts is a VDA Member who provides oral healthcare to underserved individuals in the Shenandoah Valley and is a practitioner with Dental Health Associates. He joins us for a conversation about his personal and professional journey, family history with dentistry, the work of the clinic, the anticipated impact of federal Medicaid funding cuts, and more.

This episode of the Patients Come First podcast was reposted with permission from the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer/Host: Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association

Guest(s): Dr. Cameron Roberts

Patients Come First Podcast - Send questions, comments, or feedback to pcfpodcast@vhha.com.

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: Ryan Dunn, CEO of the Virginia Dental Association, briefly discusses the 2026 General Assembly outcomes, noting that most workforce agenda bills were signed, while the budget (including community college hygiene program funding and Medicaid adult dental funding) remains unresolved and is being monitored. He outlines timelines for an expedited path for foreign-trained dentists to practice hygiene (Board of Dentistry action after July 1) and for dental assistants to perform supragingival scaling after completing VDA-offered training with a prerequisite of 1,800 clinical hours. He highlights the June 22 employment law updates webinar with Hancock & Daniel and the June 15 ADA Live webinar on contracts and coverage. The 2026 Virginia Dental Showcase is fast approaching, September 18–19 at the Omni Homestead, featuring CE and a financial course.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles in four national and statewide Associations while also working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

VIRGINIA IS CHANGING THE RULES: What Every Employer Needs to Know About Virginia's 2026-2028 Employment Law Updates

Live ADA seminars to tackle dentists’ biggest insurance issues

2026 Virginia Dental Showcase

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Ryan Dunn

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: Ryan Dunn, CEO of the Virginia Dental Association, reviews updates across the VDA strategic plan. He highlights General Assembly outcomes and legislation effective July 1. He notes ongoing opposition to a proposed $2,000 annual cap on adult Medicaid dental benefits and describes participation in a two-year Dental Access Partnership to increase Medicaid provider participation. Dunn also promotes the VDA PAC, upcoming labor and employment webinar, free affiliate memberships for front-office team members, and the Virginia Dental Showcase Sept. 18–19 at the Omni Homestead with early-bird registration currently underway.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles in four national and statewide Associations while also working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

2026 General Assembly Session Recap

Contribute to the VDA Political Action Committee (PAC)

VDA Affiliate Membership

2026 Virginia Dental Showcase

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Ryan Dunn

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: Ryan Dunn and Paul Logan of the Virginia Dental Association interview Keith Martin, interim president and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, about 2026 Virginia General Assembly developments affecting small businesses, including dental practices. Martin reviews numerous bills that could have an impact on the way you run your practice in Virginia. They cover proposed paid family and medical leave with employer/employee premiums starting in 2028, broad eligibility definitions, and potential stacking with federal FMLA. Chamber wins include defeating right-to-work repeal, and they note budget attention to childcare and housing.

GUEST: Keith Martin serves as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. He leads the Chamber’s strategic direction, operations, and statewide partnerships. Martin previously served the Virginia Chamber from 2011 to 2024 as Executive Vice President of Public Policy and General Counsel, and as Executive Director of the Virginia Chamber Foundation. In these roles, he oversaw the Chamber’s advocacy and legislative agenda on behalf of Virginia’s business community and played a key role in developing the Chamber’s public policy recommendations, including major contributions to three editions of Blueprint Virginia, the Commonwealth’s long-term business plan for economic competitiveness. Most recently, Martin served as Director of Government Relations for Appalachian Power, where he managed legislative and regulatory affairs in Virginia and supported initiatives to advance energy reliability and economic growth across the region. A proud Hokie, Martin holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech and earned his Juris Doctor from Thomas Cooley Law School.

HOSTS: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles with four national and statewide associations while also spending time working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

Paul Logan of the Virginia Dental Association. Paul focuses on member advocacy, developing resources for dental students and early career dentists, and working with a broad array of stakeholders to elevate and address Virginia’s dental workforce needs. Paul currently serves on the executive committee of the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure and the College Board of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Outside of work, he’s trying to keep up with his three- and six-year-old daughters.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

VDA’s 2026 General Assembly Recap

Blueprint Virginia

Right-to-Work

Virginia Chamber

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Ryan Dunn and Paul Logan

Guest(s): Keith Martin

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: Richmond dentist Dr. Bob Bigelow discusses the Virginia Dental Association’s peer review/patient mediation benefit. Bigelow, involved for about three years, explains how mediation can resolve many patient complaints before they reach the Board of Dentistry, reducing stress and time for dentists and patients. Common issues include clinical problems, missed appointments, and misunderstandings about insurance or collections.

GUEST: Dr. Robert W. Bigelow has been a tripartite member of the VDA for almost 17 years and owns a restorative dental practice in midtown Richmond. He enjoys collaborating with other VDA members to enhance patient care. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

HOST: Paul Logan of the Virginia Dental Association. Paul focuses on member advocacy, developing resources for dental students and early career dentists, and working with a broad array of stakeholders to elevate and address Virginia’s dental workforce needs. Paul currently serves on the executive committee of the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure and the College Board of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Outside of work, he’s trying to keep up with his young daughters.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

VDA Peer Review - Additional Information: https://www.vadental.org/peer-review

EPISODE CREDITS

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Paul Logan

Guests: Dr. Robert W. Bigelow

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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In this episode, Ryan Dunn reports that two workforce bills have passed the House and Senate and await the governor’s signature. The pending Virginia budget proposed a $2,000 annual cap on adult Medicaid dental benefits and opposes a late-session proposal to raise the medical malpractice cap from $2.7M to $6M, urging members to contact senators. Ryan highlights member-only peer review as a confidential, dentist-led dispute resolution option and promotes VDA Member Perks savings programs. With over 21 hours of CE programming, he announces the Virginia Dental Showcase at the Omni Homestead on September 18–19.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles in four national and statewide Associations while also working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

VDA Legislative Alert – Ask Senate to Oppose SB536 Doubling Medical Malpractice Cap

VDA Member Perks

2026 Virginia Dental Showcase

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Ryan Dunn

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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In this episode, Dr. Shweta Thackeray, a VCU School of Dentistry educator, inventor, and children’s author, discusses pediatric dental care and strategies to reduce children’s dental anxiety and improve family experiences. She explains how observing fearful children and stressed parents in pediatric clinics led her to focus on anxiety-free care and move away from obsolete aversive methods.

HOST: Paul Logan of the Virginia Dental Association. Paul focuses on member advocacy, developing resources for dental students and early career dentists, and working with a broad array of stakeholders to elevate and address Virginia’s dental workforce needs. Paul currently serves on the executive committee of the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure and the College Board of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Outside of work, he’s trying to keep up with his young daughters.

GUEST: Dr. Shweta Ujaoney Thackeray is a compassionate dentist who believes healthy smiles begin with trust and positive early experiences. She is dedicated to helping children and families feel comfortable, heard, and confident in the dental chair, with a special focus on reducing dental anxiety through gentle, preventive care. An innovator at heart, Dr. Thackeray is the inventor of a camouflage syringe, the first of its kind, designed to make injections less intimidating for children, helping transform one of dentistry’s biggest fears into a calmer experience. She has also been recognized with multiple academic awards and scholarships throughout her training, reflecting her commitment to excellence and continued growth in her field. Her mission is simple: to combine kindness, innovation, and education to build lifelong healthy habits and confident smiles.

Instagram: @shwetathackeray

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shwetaujaoney

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

A Caterpillar at the Dentist

By: Dr. Shweta Ujaoney

EPISODE CREDITS

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Paul Logan

Guests: Dr. Shweta Thackeray

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: In this episode, Ryan Dunn and Paul Logan provide updates on the Virginia General Assembly's busy legislative session. They discuss the Virginia Dental Association's (VDA) proactive efforts concerning oral healthcare legislation and budget requests. Key topics include the fate of House Bill 537, which sought to prohibit water fluoridation, and Senate Bill 99, which sought to lift the medical malpractice cap for young patients. The episode also covers various budget requests, including funding for the Virginia Community College System's dental hygiene programs, the VCU School of Dentistry's new facilities, and opposition to cuts to Virginia’s dental Medicaid benefit. They also cover VDA bills, which provide pathways for skilled international dental providers to apply for hygiene licensure and enable dental assistants to expand their roles. VDA members are encouraged to contact their legislators and to continue their advocacy and engagement.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles with four national and statewide associations while also spending time working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

GUEST(S): Paul Logan of the Virginia Dental Association. Paul focuses on member advocacy, developing resources for dental students and early career dentists, and working with a broad array of stakeholders to elevate and address Virginia’s dental workforce needs. Paul currently serves on the executive committee of the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure and the College Board of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Outside of work, he’s trying to keep up with his three- and six-year-old daughters.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

VDA Action Alert on Workforce

Sign up for VDA Text Alerts

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Ryan Dunn

Guest(s): Paul Logan

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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In this episode, Ryan Dunn and Paul Logan recap a successful Lobby Day and discuss legislation the VDA supports and opposes, including efforts to protect community water fluoridation, maintain adult Medicaid dental benefits, and strengthen the dental workforce. The episode also highlights VDA-backed bills to expand the VCU School of Dentistry, expedite pathways for internationally educated dentists to become hygienists, and certification for dental assistants to perform scaling and polishing. Throughout the conversation, Ryan and Paul emphasize how member involvement is vital in shaping and protecting the future of dentistry in Virginia.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles with four national and statewide associations while also spending time working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

GUEST(S): Paul Logan of the Virginia Dental Association. Paul focuses on member advocacy, developing resources for dental students and early career dentists, and working with a broad array of stakeholders to elevate and address Virginia’s dental workforce needs. Paul currently serves on the executive committee of the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure and the College Board of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Outside of work, he’s trying to keep up with his three- and six-year-old daughters.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

VDA Action Alert on Medical Malpractice

VDA Action Alert on Workforce

Sign up for VDA Text Alerts

Johns Hopkins Study - Evaluating the Effectiveness of Periodontal Expanded Function Dental Assistants

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Ryan Dunn

Guest(s): Paul Logan

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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In this episode, Ryan Dunn, CEO at the Virginia Dental Association (VDA), is joined by Paul Logan, the VDA’s Director of Strategic Initiatives. They discuss the VDA's focused advocacy efforts in anticipation of the 2026 General Assembly. Specifically, they highlight a 'three-legged stool' approach: advocating for increased budget for dental workforce programs, creating an expedited licensure path for internationally trained dentists to practice hygiene, and introducing a preventative assistant role to alleviate workforce shortages. The discussion emphasizes the complexity of dental workforce issues, the existing shortages, and the strategic initiatives required to address these problems. The episode also outlines upcoming legislative advocacy events and encourages VDA members to participate actively.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles in four national and statewide Associations while also working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

GUEST: Paul Logan of the Virginia Dental Association. Paul focuses on member advocacy, developing resources for dental students and early-career dentists, and working with a broad range of stakeholders to address Virginia’s dental workforce needs. Paul currently serves on the executive committee of the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure and the College Board of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Outside of work, he’s trying to keep up with his three- and six-year-old daughters.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Dental Days at the Capitol

VDA Text Alerts

VDA 2026 Legislative Initiatives

EPISODE CREDITS

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Ryan Dunn

Guest: Paul Logan

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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EPISODE LENGTH: 43:45

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Fulcrum, the focus is on the recent ADA House of Delegates meeting, featuring updates from Virginia's ADA delegates, Drs. Ralph Howell, Frank Iuorno, Justin Norbo, Elizabeth Reynolds, Jonathan Wong, and Brenda Young. Discussion topics include the unprecedented election of a president-elect from the floor, strategic concerns such as the dissolution of the Strategic Forecasting Committee, the impact and future direction of sedation guidelines, and the ADA's financial challenges, particularly the implications of the Salesforce AMS. The episode explores the importance of member involvement and advocacy and contemplates potential changes in governance and membership dynamics to drive the ADA forward.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles with four national and statewide Associations while also spending time working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host: Ryan Dunn

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: In this episode, host Karen Wood interviews Dr. Austin Westover, a VDA member, multi-location practice owner, and President-elect of the Shenandoah Valley Dental Association. Dr. Westover shares his inspiring journey from being intrigued by dentistry through his father’s early exposure to becoming a multi-location practice owner. He details his experiences with digital dentistry, AI in practice, and the challenges and rewards of managing multiple roles as a clinician and business owner. The episode provides practical insights for young dentists and dental students, covering topics such as acquiring loans, mentorship, and implementing technology.

HOST: Karen Wood manages the VDA Member Perks program. She has been in the dental field for over 20 years, having experience as a dental assistant, managing a periodontal practice, and working with dental teams as a sales consultant and trainer.

GUEST(S): Dr. Austin Westover graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2011. He has dedicated his career to pushing the limits of dentistry and enjoys living on the cutting edge. He has extensive knowledge in digital dentistry, 3D printing, in-office milling, and digital dental designs.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

https://westoverfamilydentistry.com/

American Dental Association Design Innovation Awards

VDA Member Perks: https://www.vdamemberperks.com/ The Virginia Dental Services Corporation (VDSC) was created as a subsidiary of the VDA to recommend products and services to the members of the VDA. By utilizing the VDA Member Perks-endorsed vendors, VDA members can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with using recommended companies, take advantage of special benefits, and receive discounted pricing, all while supporting the VDA. Since 1997, the VDSC has been pleased to provide over $3.7 million in funding to the VDA, VDA Foundation, VCU School of Dentistry, and others.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Karen Wood

Guest(s): Dr. Austin Westover

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: This episode discusses key topics, including legislative efforts to address workforce shortages in the Commonwealth, initiatives to enhance practice success through VDA Member Perks, and professional development opportunities such as the rollout of Affiliate Memberships. Additionally, upcoming events, such as Dental Days at the Capitol and Town Hall meetings, are highlighted, emphasizing the importance of member participation.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles with four national and statewide Associations while also spending time working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Dental Days at the Capitol

VDA Text Alerts

VDA Town Hall Meetings

VDA Member Perks

The Fulcrum Podcast:

• Episode 14 – 20 YEARS OF GROWTH AND INNOVATION: THE EVOLUTION OF VIRGINIA’S MEDICAID DENTAL PROGRAM
• Episode 15 – SMART SUPPLY MANAGEMENT: UNLEASH THE POWER OF METHOD

Virginia Dental Showcase – September 18-19, 2026

Affiliate Membership

EPISODE CREDITS

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Ryan Dunn

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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Karen Wood welcomes Alison Farber, Vice President of Sales and Partnerships at Method Procurement. They discuss the evolution of dental supply ordering from clipboards to sophisticated software platforms. Alison explains the concept of procurement and its importance in managing costs and efficiency in dental practices. The conversation covers how Method's software simplifies the procurement process by automating price checks, tracking orders, and managing budgets, significantly reducing overhead costs. Alison also describes the flexible implementation of Method's solutions, including inventory scanning, budget tracking, and comprehensive reporting features. The episode emphasizes the immediate and long-term financial benefits of adopting modern procurement practices for dental offices.

HOST: Karen Wood manages the VDA Member Perks program. She has been in the dental field for over 20 years, having experience as a dental assistant, managing a periodontal practice, and working with dental teams as a sales consultant and trainer.

GUEST(S): Alison Farber is the Vice President of Sales and Partnerships at Method Procurement Technologies, where she leads sales and partnerships to help dental practices modernize procurement and accelerate growth. Beyond the dental space, she’s actively involved in supporting local start-ups. She serves as a mentor to emerging leaders, sharing her experience to help the next generation of entrepreneurs thrive. Outside of work, Alison is a busy mom of two, an avid paddle sports enthusiast, and a terrible gardener.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

VDA members use promo code “VDAMEMBER25” to receive a free scanner and 50 tags valued at $200.

Method – methodusa.com

VDA Member Perks: https://www.vdamemberperks.com/ The Virginia Dental Services Corporation (VDSC) was created as a subsidiary of the VDA to recommend products and services to the members of the VDA. By utilizing the VDA Member Perks-endorsed vendors, VDA members can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with using recommended companies, take advantage of special benefits, and receive discounted pricing, all while supporting the VDA. Since 1997, the VDSC has been pleased to provide over $3.7 million in funding to the VDA, VDA Foundation, VCU School of Dentistry, and others.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Karen Wood

Guest(s): Alison Farber

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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In this episode, we are joined by VDA Member, Dr. Zachary Hairston, who serves as the Dental Consultant for Virginia's Cardinal Care Smiles Dental Program, and Justin Gist, Dental Program Manager at the Virginia Department of Medicaid Assistance Services. They discuss the 20-year evolution of Virginia's Medicaid dental services, from its initial focus on pediatric care to the recent inclusion of pregnant members and adult comprehensive dental benefits. The conversation covers the impact of these changes, the challenges faced by providers, and the initiatives undertaken to ease those challenges, including fee adjustments, administrative streamlining, and the importance of patient education. They also emphasize the vital role of the Dental Advisory Committee in shaping the program and the need for ongoing advocacy and participation from dental professionals to ensure the program's continued success.

HOST: Paul Logan: Paul is the Director of Strategic Initiatives/Innovations at the Virginia Dental Association. He focuses on member advocacy, developing resources for dental students and early-career dentists, and working with a broad array of stakeholders to address and elevate Virginia’s dental workforce needs.

GUEST(S): Dr. Zachary Hairston: Dr. Zachary Hairston has over 40 years of experience as a dentist, beginning his clinical practice in Danville, Virginia. He graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry in 1983 and received further study from the United States Dental Institute and Gerety Orthodontics. Since 2015, Dr. Hairston has served as the Dental Consultant with the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) Medicaid Smiles for Children (SFC) program. In this capacity, Dr. Hairston oversees all clinical aspects of the SFC program, which now includes comprehensive dental care for adults. Dr. Hairston also serves as the VDA Dental Medicaid Benefits Liaison.

Justin Gist: Justin serves as the Dental Program Manager for Virginia’s Medicaid dental program, Cardinal Care Smiles, where he leads contract management, policy development, and oversight of the state’s dental benefits administrator. In this role, he works closely with providers, community partners, and state leaders to strengthen network adequacy, expand access to care, and ensure compliance with federal and state standards. Justin is deeply committed to workforce development, innovative strategies to reach underserved populations, and building sustainable provider participation across Virginia. He played a central role in advancing comprehensive Medicaid dental benefits, extending coverage from children to pregnant individuals and adults. Justin holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s degree from Barry University, bringing a strong foundation in leadership and health program administration to his work.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: VDA Dental Medicaid Benefits Liaison: https://www.vadental.org/vda-dental-medicaid-benefits-liaison

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer/Host: Paul Logan

Guest(s): Dr. Zachary Hairston and Justin Gist

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: In this episode, host Ryan Dunn provides updates on workgroup discussions regarding licensure by endorsement and the activities of foreign-trained dentists. He also highlights upcoming events like the VDA/VCU Career Fair and the Virginia Dental Showcase.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles with four national and statewide Associations while also spending time working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

VDA/VCU Career Fair

Episode 12 – SMART MARKETING FOR MODERN DENTAL PRACTICES

Virginia Dental Showcase

EPISODE CREDITS

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Ryan Dunn

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

Music in this episode from Epidemic Sound

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In this episode, Karen Wood discusses ways for dental practices to boost their marketing without straining their teams. Featuring experts Keith Washington and Shannon Perry from ProSites, the episode covers the evolution of dental marketing, the importance of branding, and effective tracking of marketing strategies. Key points include the significance of online tools, automating administrative tasks, leveraging digital marketing, and budgeting for marketing efforts. The conversation also highlights the benefits of partnering with industry experts like ProSites for optimized marketing strategies.

HOST: Karen Wood manages the VDA Member Perks program. She has been in the dental field for over 20 years, having experience as a dental assistant, managing a periodontal practice, and working with dental teams as a sales consultant and trainer.

GUEST(S): Keith Washington: Keith Washington is the Chief Technology Officer at ProSites and has over 30 years of software product management and development experience. He has an accounting degree from the University of Maryland and has led product transformations at many successful companies. Keith has been with ProSites for over 10 years and has led the development of solutions to help transform dental practice efficiency and productivity. He has a passion for building solutions that help dentists acquire, retain, and engage their patients.

Shannon Perry: Shannon is the Director of Partnerships at ProSites and has spent the past 14 years helping practices thrive with solutions to achieve their unique goals. Specializing in digital marketing, Shannon uses that experience to help practices improve their online presence so more patients can find them. By focusing on each client's unique business and marketing needs, Shannon has been able to help thousands of practices optimize client communications, maximize efficiency, and improve profitability.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

VDA Member Perks: https://www.vdamemberperks.com/ The Virginia Dental Services Corporation (VDSC) was created as a subsidiary of the VDA to recommend products and services to the members of the VDA. By utilizing the VDA Member Perks-endorsed vendors, VDA members can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with using recommended companies, take advantage of special benefits, and receive discounted pricing, all while supporting the VDA. Since 1997, the VDSC has been pleased to provide over $3.7 million in funding to the VDA, VDA Foundation, VCU School of Dentistry, and others.

ProSites: From website design to social media and search engine optimization, ProSites is the ideal solution for busy dentists who want to get results from their online marketing. https://prosites.com/VDA/ VDA members received up to a 70% discount on ProSites solutions.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Karen Wood

Guest(s): Keith Washington and Shannon Perry

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

Music in this episode from Epidemic Sound