Dr. Michael Thomas II @_michaelthomas - Dose of Dental Podcast #172 x Dr. Gallagher's Podcast

Top 5 Topics:

- The Untold Challenges of Special Needs Dentistry

- Why So Few Dentists Treat Special Needs Patients

- Corporate Dentistry vs. The American Dream

- The Harsh Truth About Dental Insurance

- Why Dentistry Is About More Than Teeth

Quotes & Wisdom:

“We put our life on the side for so many years — education, tests, degrees. We gotta start, we gotta live life a little bit for once.” — Brendan (01:29)

“Everything that I am, she’s not and everything that I’m not, she is. We definitely complement each other.” — Dr. Thomas (03:57)

“With special needs patients, there are so many complex variables. Safety is key, and that’s why the operating room is often the most appropriate place.” — Dr. Thomas (06:18)

“There’s so much bedside manner and communication. You’re not only treating the patient, but also guiding the caregivers step by step.” — Dr. Thomas (07:35)

“If you do have a heart for it, it’s probably the most rewarding thing I’ve done so far in my career.” — Dr. Thomas (12:26)

“If you’re not going to give 100% of your effort every single day, then you just shouldn’t even get out of bed in the morning.” — Dr. Thomas (22:31)

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a denture adjustment or an occlusal filling — you have to be committed to every single step of the process.” — Dr. Thomas (22:42)

“People want to feel a sense of community. They want to feel loved, heard, and listened to. That’s what private practice is about.” — Dr. Thomas (22:04)

“That is the American dream — to open up your own practice, to carry on a good reputation and a good legacy.” — Dr. Thomas (25:21)

Questions:

(01:56) “Are you working Monday through Friday?”

(02:07) “You were telling me about how your mom owns a practice and you’re interested in potentially looking at that as an opportunity for ownership in the future. And tell me about your wife a little bit too. So how’s this combo?”

(05:19) “Did you have any special needs patients today?”

(08:08) “What’s the most common thing you see with special needs patients that you wouldn’t see with other patients?”

(12:21) “Why don’t you think a lot of people treat special needs patients?”

(13:08) “Is it tough to get into the OR — and then what about reimbursement too?”

(19:16) “Do you think corporate dentistry will take over, or will private practices make a comeback?”

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Dose of Dental Podcast #172

My watch in this episode = Citizen Promaster Diver Day Date

- 8.2025

#podcast #dentalpodcast #doctor #dentist #dentistry #oralsurgery #dental #dentalschool #dentalstudent #dentistlife #oralsurgeon #doctorgallagher