Coming Together to Change Our Patients’ Lives (w/Drs. Becker, Nguyen, and Weddle) [Ep.118]

Episode Overview:
In this episode, I’m joined by three leaders in dentistry and airway health—Drs. Stacy Becker, Tracey Nguyen, and Michelle Waddle, founders of the ASAP Pathway. Together, we discuss the evolution of airway-focused dental care, the importance of nasal breathing, and the challenges and progress in integrating airway health into mainstream dental and orthodontic practice.

Key Topics Discussed:
• Raising awareness about airway health and its role in craniofacial and neurocognitive development.
• The journey of airway health in dentistry: where the field started, current challenges, and future goals.
• The importance of collaboration between general dentists, orthodontists, pediatric dentists, and medical professionals.
• Barriers to change in dental and orthodontic practice, including education gaps, workflow challenges, and financial considerations.
• The role of evidence-based medicine in airway dentistry and the limitations of current research.
• The need for respectful dialogue and teamwork across specialties to improve patient outcomes.
• Empowering parents and patients to advocate for airway health and seek the right care.
• The value of community, ongoing education, and practice-based research networks.

Special Mentions:
• Airway Palooza 2025: An upcoming conference focused on airway health, with a special $500 discount code for listeners (DOCPALOOZA) - https://airwayhealthsolutions.com/pal...
• The Ortho Coach CE Course: A comprehensive course on interceptive orthodontic treatment and airway-focused care. (https://theorthocoach.com/courses/pha...)
• Contact information for research collaboration: [email protected]

Resources & Links:
• TheOrthoCoach.com – For CE courses and coaching
• ASAP Pathway – Educational resources and community.
• DOC Podcast Facebook Community – For ongoing discussion and support.

Calls to Action:
• Share the episode with colleagues and friends interested in airway health.
• Consider attending Airway Palooza or enrolling in the Ortho Coach CE course.
• Reach out to the hosts or guests for collaboration or to share your story.

Closing Thoughts:
The episode wraps up with a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about the realities of changing dental practice, the importance of humility and open-mindedness, and the power of community in driving progress for airway health.
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Thank you for listening to The DOC Podcast! For guest suggestions or to connect, email Dr. Mike at [email protected].