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Van B. Haywood, D.M.D., is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Restorative Sciences, Dental College of Georgia @ Augusta University. A 1974 alumni of the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry, he was in private practice 7 years in Augusta, Georgia and taught at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill, NC in Operative and Prosthodontics for 12 years before coming to Augusta University in 1993. In 1989, he co-authored the first publication in the world on Nightguard vital bleaching (at-home tray bleaching) with Dr. Harald Heymann, and in 1997 co-authored the first article on extended treatment (six-months) of tetracycline-stained teeth using this technique.While he is most known for his research and articles on tray bleaching, he taught in the Fixed Prosthodontics courses, the Occlusion courses,and the Esthetics course, as well as in sophomore and junior Operative and Fixed student clinics. After over 29 years at the Dental College of Georgia, he retired from full-time teaching in December 2022. The DCG Class of 1997 initiated a scholarship in his name for clinical excellence and compassionate care.

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In this episode of The Digital Dentist Digest, Dr. Melissa Seibert is joined by board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Pam Maragliano for Part 2 of their conversation, focusing on preventive dentistry systems, guided biofilm therapy (GBT), and modern hygiene workflows that drive both clinical outcomes and practice growth.

Dr. Maragliano shares a detailed, step-by-step breakdown of how her practice approaches biofilm management using air polishing technology, subgingival therapy, and piezoelectric instrumentation, and how these systems improve efficiency, ergonomics, and patient comfort. The discussion explores how transitioning from traditional prophy models to evidence-based, biofilm-focused care can significantly increase hygiene production while elevating the standard of care.

A major focus of the episode is patient engagement and behavior change, including how to communicate periodontal findings in a way that resonates with patients' broader health goals. Dr. Maragliano explains how aligning oral health with systemic health—such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline—can improve case acceptance and long-term compliance.

The conversation also dives into risk-based preventive care, challenging the traditional six-month recall model and advocating for individualized hygiene intervals based on disease risk and clinical findings. Listeners will learn how to implement adjunctive therapies such as fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride (SDF), hydroxyapatite, and antimicrobial agents, as well as how to integrate these services into a sustainable and ethical fee structure.

Additionally, this episode addresses practical challenges dentists face daily, including:

• Communicating the value and limitations of SDF

• Managing patient expectations and financial concerns

• Establishing clinical boundaries and maintaining treatment integrity

• Building a high-performing hygiene team aligned with periodontal goals

Dr. Maragliano also shares real-world insights into how adopting the right systems and team structure led to significant increases in hygiene production and overall practice profitability, without sacrificing patient-centered care.

This episode is ideal for general dentists, hygienists, and practice owners looking to modernize their approach to preventive dentistry, periodontal care, and hygiene-driven growth using practical, evidence-based strategies.

Key topics include:

• Guided biofilm therapy (GBT) protocols and workflow

• Air polishing and piezoelectric instrumentation in hygiene

• Risk-based recall intervals vs. traditional six-month model

• Patient communication strategies for periodontal disease

• Adjunctive preventive therapies (fluoride, SDF, probiotics, hydroxyapatite)

• Increasing hygiene production and efficiency

• Case acceptance, patient motivation, and behavioral change

• Clinical boundaries and ethical treatment planning

Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com

Register for the live meeting: https://www.theelevatedgp.com/ElevationSummit

Download the Injection Molding Guide: https://www.theelevatedgp.com/IMpdf

In this episode of The Digital Dentist Digest, Dr. Melissa Seibert sits down with Dr. Pam Maragliano for Part 2 of their conversation, focusing on how to build a modern, prevention-driven dental practice through guided biofilm therapy (GBT), risk-based hygiene systems, and effective patient communication.

Dr. Maragliano provides a detailed look at how her practice has transitioned from traditional hygiene models to a biofilm-centered approach, utilizing advanced technologies such as air polishing systems, subgingival biofilm removal, and piezoelectric instrumentation. She outlines how these tools not only improve clinical outcomes but also enhance patient comfort, efficiency, and team ergonomics.

A key theme of the episode is patient engagement and behavior change. Dr. Maragliano explains how connecting oral health findings—such as bleeding points and periodontal inflammation—to broader systemic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline can significantly improve patient understanding and case acceptance. The discussion emphasizes moving beyond routine care toward personalized, risk-based treatment planning.

The episode also explores the limitations of the traditional six-month recall model and introduces a more individualized approach to hygiene scheduling based on each patient's risk profile. Listeners will gain practical insights into implementing adjunctive preventive therapies, including fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride (SDF), hydroxyapatite, chlorhexidine, and probiotic treatments, and how to integrate these into everyday clinical workflows.

In addition, Dr. Maragliano shares real-world strategies for:

• Increasing hygiene production and efficiency without compromising care

• Structuring a high-performing hygiene team aligned with periodontal goals

• Communicating the role and limitations of SDF in caries management

• Setting clear clinical boundaries with patients while maintaining trust

• Balancing prevention, minimally invasive dentistry, and long-term outcomes

This episode is especially valuable for general dentists, hygienists, and practice owners seeking to improve periodontal outcomes, patient compliance, and practice performance through evidence-based preventive dentistry.

Key topics include:

• Guided biofilm therapy (GBT) workflow and technology

• Air polishing and subgingival biofilm removal

• Risk-based hygiene intervals vs. traditional recall

• Patient communication and case acceptance strategies

• Preventive and remineralization therapies (fluoride, SDF, hydroxyapatite)

• Hygiene-driven practice growth and profitability

• Clinical decision-making and patient boundaries in dentistry