From Iceland to Sweden - how functional, prevention-forward system's work

Note on this episode’s audio: This conversation was recorded in October 2025 in Reykjavík. Due to a camera malfunction, we were only able to recover the audio—and it was saved on a note-taking device, so it’s not studio-quality. That said, I’m genuinely pleased with how it turned out, and I’m excited to share it with you.

In this Reykjavík sit-down, Stephanie Wright visits withBrynja Björk, an Icelandic dentist who graduated from the University of Iceland and then practiced in Sweden for 11 years—giving her a rare, inside view of how dentistry works across two Nordic systems.

Together, we dig into what happens when healthcare is treated as a public good (with rules, guardrails, and faster payments) versus a profit engine (with denials, delays, and debt). We talk access, affordability, workforce shortages, and what the U.S. could learn—without pretending any system is perfect.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Brynja became a dentist (and how dental anxiety shaped her mission)

• Dentist shortages and what it means when patients wait months for an appointment

• How licensing can be surprisingly portable across Nordic countries

• The U.S. reality: $300k–$500k+ dental school debt and the barriers for foreign-trained dentists

• Iceland’s “hybrid” coverage: kids covered, support for seniors, and what limitations look like

• Reimbursements that arrive in days, not months—and denials you can actually respond to

• Continuing education requirements and the stakes of losing government contracts

• A big surprise for Americans: Iceland doesn’t train hygienists, so dentists do the hygiene

• Sweden’s tiered reimbursement approach: the people who need the most get the most

• Fluoride, misinformation, and why policy + prevention beats fear

If you’ve ever wondered what a more functional, prevention-forward system could look like—this is a powerful place to start.

🎧 Listen in, then share this episode with someone who still thinks “insurance” equals “care.”