Redefining Dental Practices with Airway-Focused Treatment (w/Melissa Mugno) [Ep.98]

In this episode of The DOC Podcast, Melissa Mugno shares her journey from dental assistant to dental hygienist, to orofacial myofunctional therapist, delving into the complexities and benefits of myofunctional therapy.  She discusses the various appliances like Myobrace, MyoMunchie, and the importance of integrating these tools into dental practices. Melissa emphasizes the need for collaboration between dentists and myofunctional therapists and provides practical advice for implementing airway-focused approaches into a busy dental or orthodontic practice.  She also highlights the significance of educating patients and the dental team to achieve better clinical outcomes.  This episode is a must-listen for dental and myofunctional therapy professionals looking to expand their practice and improve patient care through interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as parents interested in learning more about a patient-centered, holistic approach to their child’s orthodontic treatment. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:07 Melissa's Journey into Dental and Ortho00:37 Early Career and Mentorship01:08 Transition to Myofunctional Therapy03:33 Personal Struggles and Realizations17:05 Introduction to Myobrace20:13 Challenges and Implementation29:35 Consulting and Airway Focus50:38 The Certification Process to Become an OMT51:41 The Role of Speech Therapists and Hygienists53:36 Licensing and Certification Challenges55:32 The Importance of Dentist Involvement55:48 Liability and Insurance in Myofunctional Therapy56:35 How To Bill for Myofunctional Therapy01:04:37 The MyoMunchie: A Functional Appliance01:15:42 Personal Stories and Case Studies01:26:36 The Business of Myofunctional Therapy01:33:20 Final Thoughts and Future DirectionsLINKS:-IG: @MelissaTheMouth-Email: melissa@melissamugno.com-Dr. Mike’s Orthotown Article: https://www.orthotown.com/images/orthotown/magimages/0325/OrthotownMarch25.pdf-https://myomunchee.com/dental-discovery-program-https://melissa-mugno.mykajabi.com/air-certification-course-https://theorthocoach.com/courses/phase-i-arch-development/?portfolioCats=99 

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The DOC Podcast brings you unique educational content taught by Dr. Mike DeLuke, a Board Certified Orthodontist with over 20 years of clinical and academic experience. Dr. DeLuke built his orthodontic practice from scratch in the early 2000s and grew it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise in less than 10 years. He was able to retire from private practice at the age of 46 years old, and now devotes his energy to teaching his colleagues how to succeed both personally and professionally. Dr. DeLuke has served as a faculty member at numerous hospitals and orthodontic residency programs around the country, including as the cleft craniofacial orthodontist at Albany Medical Center in New York, and as a clinical professor at The University of Connecticut in the Department of Orthodontics. He is presently an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University in the Department of Orthodontics. The DOC Podcast will bring you in-depth discussions and interviews with industry leaders and experts on a variety of topics including clinical excellence, practice management, finance and wealth creation, health and wellness, taxes and accounting, fitness, and much more!