Little Teeth, BIG Smiles

On this exciting episode of LTBS, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by AAPD 2025 keynote speaker Mick Ebeling for a candid conversation delving into Mick’s mantra of “commit, then figure it out.” Sharing the story of an accidental invention that made the seemingly impossible possible, he highlights his unique problem-solving approach that brings together passionate and talented people to create solutions that better the world. Mick also speaks to the impact that grounding yourself in the belief that something that’s possible today was once considered impossible can have on your ability to make change. 

Guest Bio: 

Named Fortune’s Top 50 World’s Greatest Leaders and honored with the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award, Mick Ebeling is a groundbreaking innovator dedicated to changing the world through innovation and story. As the Founder of Not Impossible Labs – an innovation incubator disrupting the status quo and tackling seemingly impossible problems – Mick has spent over a decade driving a movement of positive impact for the sake of humanity. Through his “Help One. Help Many” approach, Mick and his team have created some of the most internationally celebrated inventions, including The Eyewriter, Project Daniel, and Don’s Voice, as well as their most recent spin-off companies, Bento (formerly Hunger: Not Impossible) and Music: Not Impossible. His work has been recognized as a 3x recipient of TIME’s Best Inventions and Fast Company's World Changing Ideas. Mick continues to inspire, empower, and teach individuals, organizations, and communities to take bold action, so they too can make the impossible, NOT impossible.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Rose Dodson, founder and CEO of Sedation Resources for this episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles. Dodson discusses the importance in a strong foundation for sedation management and how emergency training is an integral piece of a practitioner’s overall skill set. She also delves into the latest updates in technology supporting safety. 

Guest Bio: 

Rose Dodson is the founder and CEO of Sedation Resource, a long-time Silver Sponsor of the AAPD. For over 20 years, Rose and her team have been dedicated to patient safety and supporting dental sedation practitioners. Rose has a Master’s in Business Leadership and Management and a deep understanding of sedation equipment and emergency preparedness. She even developed an amplified Bluetooth pre-tracheal stethoscope to improve patient monitoring. Most recently, she collaborated with the "Ten Minutes Saves a Life" initiative to create the Simulation Toolkit, designed to help with emergency response training. Rose shares her expertise through presentations and articles, always focused on practical solutions for sedation practitioners, and she has been directly involved in the hands-on participation sessions at the AAPD’s sedation courses. She also enjoys sharing insights on safety, innovation, and how she’s working to support the pediatric dental community.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Jade Miller joins host Dr. Joel Berg for a very special episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles discussing a major opportunity within organized dentistry. After nearly 25 years, Dr. John Rutkauskas will be retiring as AAPD CEO in July 2026. Dr. Miller, as chair of the search committee to find AAPD’s new leader, shares details of the role as well as what it means to join an AAPD staff committed to the optimal oral health for all children. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Jade Miller is a board-certified pediatric dentist who since 1983 has maintained a private practice in Reno, Nevada. Dr. Miller is a faculty member in dental and medical education, as well as a member in some of the country’s most prestigious dental organizations. A past American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry president, he is the current AAPD Board of Trustees Congressional Liaison. While Dr. Miller has been practicing pediatric dentistry for four decades, his education has never really ended. He devotes time to continuing education so that he can offer “his kids” the best and most modern treatments available. Dr. Miller has dedicated his career to keeping at the forefront of pediatric developments and providing his patients with the best service available. Dr. Miller is married and has three children.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Legendary pediatric dentist Dr. Heber Simmons joins little teeth, BIG Smiles host Dr. Joel Berg, for a conversation featuring the highlights of his nearly six-decade long career. A previous AAPD Distinguished Service Award recipient, Dr. Simmons shares in detail the highlights of his career, beginning with how he got started in pediatric dentistry during his time in the Army and as the first pediatric dentist in Mississippi all the way through President of the AAPD and beyond. Dr. Simmons also delves into his “60 Minutes” appearance on behalf of the Academy and how his message still resonates with dental professionals and parents. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Heber Simmons, Jr. attended the University of Mississippi and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He received his DDS degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1957. Dr. Simmons served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps for three years at Fort Knox, Kentucky, attaining the rank of captain. He received his Master of Science in pedodontics degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1962 and subsequently was in private practice in Jackson, Mississippi for 57 years. Dr. Simmons has been a member of a host of organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association and its affiliates, as well various related professional organizations. He's a Fellow in the American and International College of Dentists, OKU, and the Pierre Fauchard Society. He has served as a delegate to the ADA House of Delegates, on the Council of Dental Practice of the ADA, and was the ADA's fifth district trustee representing Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida from 1989 to 1993. Dr. Simmons is a past president of the AAPD and various other organizations. He received the AAPD Distinguished Service Award in 1997. As of 2024, that award is now known as the Dr. Heber Simmons, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. In 2017, the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry established the Heber Simmons, Jr. Endowed Professorship in Pediatric Dentistry in honor of his exceptional service to the profession. Dr. Simmons’ complete CV highlighting six decades of extraordinary work is available here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.