Dentistry's Role in Transforming Pediatric Health (w/Dr. Susan Maples) [Ep.140]

Episode Description
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Susan Maples, a pioneering general dentist who has practiced in Holt, Michigan, for over 40 years. Dr. Maples shares her revolutionary approach to dentistry, which goes far beyond traditional "drill and fill" methods, focusing on total health, the oral-systemic connection, and empowering patients (especially children) to take control of their own health journey.

From her personal story of overcoming chronic illness as a child to developing the nationally recognized Hands-On Learning Lab for children, Dr. Maples demonstrates how dentistry can be the last bastion of hope for preventive healthcare in America.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The oral-systemic health connection and America's growing health crisis
• Why traditional "preventive" dental visits aren't actually preventing disease
• The revolutionary Hands-On Learning Lab approach for children
• How to implement root cause analysis in dental practice
• The role of Health Relationship Coordinators in patient care
• Airway health, sleep hygiene, and the gut microbiome
• Breaking free from insurance-driven dentistry
• Practical strategies for implementing holistic care in any practice setting

Episode Timeline
[3:43] - Dr. Susan's personal health journey - Overcoming chronic illness as a child
[13:00] - The bubble wrap moment - How one doctor changed everything through hands-on learning
[22:00] - Creating the Hands-On Learning Lab - 27 years of science experiments with kids
[37:00] - The paradigm shift dentistry needs - Moving from reactive to proactive care
[43:00] - Dropping all insurance contracts - Achieving true clinical independence
[55:00] - Facilitation vs. education - Getting curious with patients instead of telling
[1:05:00] - Mouth breathing and the oral microbiome connection
[1:10:00] - The Health Relationship Coordinator role - Bridging dentistry and medicine
[1:17:30] - Sleep hygiene fundamentals - Creating sleeping sanctuaries for children
[1:22:30] - The definition of a healer - Helping others see their wholeness
[1:25:00] - How to connect with Dr. Maples - Resources and final thoughts

Resources Mentioned

• Brave Parent - "Raising Healthy, Happy Kids Against All Odds in Today's World"
  • https://a.co/d/2OoBGle
• Blabbermouth - "77 Secrets Only Your Mouth Can Tell You to Live a Healthier, Happier, Sexier Life"
  • https://a.co/d/ajei0r5
• Total Health Academy - https://totalhealthacademy.net/
  • Online learning platform for dental professionals
• https://selfscreen.net/
  • Screening questionnaires for patient assessment
• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
• Outlive by Peter Attia

Connect with Dr. Susan Maples

• Email: [e-mail]
• Phone: [phone]
• Website: DrSusanMaples.com

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