Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has been around for years—but how it’s actually used in practice is still widely misunderstood. In this episode, Dr. Brian Novy and Dr. Pam Maragliano take a closer look at where SDF fits in modern caries management, what clinicians often get wrong, and why it continues to spark debate.

From technique missteps to patient communication, this conversation moves beyond theory into the realities of clinical practice. The hosts challenge the idea that caries treatment must always be surgical, reframing SDF as a practical tool for arresting disease, stabilizing lesions, and buying time—especially in high-risk or complex cases.

They also explore how SDF integrates with restorative approaches like glass ionomer (SMART technique), and where it makes the most sense across different patient populations, including pediatric and elderly patients.

Along the way, the discussion touches on a growing tension in dentistry: how coding, reimbursement, and legacy practice models can shape clinical decisions—sometimes in ways that don’t fully align with disease management.

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam and Brian sit down with Dr. Jonny Norris, the creator of an upcoming Netflix documentary that promises to challenge long-held assumptions in dentistry and spark important conversations with patients. As the profession anticipates a public spotlight on treatment decisions and standards of care, Dr. Norris shares his perspective on minimal intervention dentistry and what true conservatism should look like in modern practice. The discussion explores the science and clinical application of preventive and bioactive materials such as silver diamine fluoride, povidone iodine, and glass ionomers—and how these tools can help clinicians preserve tooth structure while improving long-term outcomes. This is a timely, thoughtful conversation about ethics, prevention, patient communication, and how dentists can be prepared—clinically and conversationally—for the questions that may soon be coming their way.

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam and Brian chat with Dr. Charlie Ward, who was recently accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Ward pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to earn AACD accreditation—from the specific types of cases required and the rigorous evaluation process to the mentorship, preparation, and mindset shifts that made the difference. He also shares some of his go-to products and clinical strategies that helped elevate his results and set him up for success. If you’re looking to sharpen your cosmetic dentistry skills or are considering the AACD accreditation pathway yourself, this inspiring and practical conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

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Email: drcaward82@gmail.com