Newly Erupted Podcast - Merging Your Professional and Personal Passions

Feb 28, 2024

Your favorite podcast host, Dr. Joel Berg, is back with AAPD’s newest Podcast Series, Newly Erupted! Created for residents and early career dentists, this series aims to focus on topics that will help you kick start your career in the dental field, all handpicked by residents themselves!

Listen below, or with iTunesGoogle PodcastsSpotify, and TuneIn.

Newly Erupted is generously sponsored by Elevate Oral Care.

Do you have an idea for a topic that you would love to hear on Newly Erupted? Email cshennan@aapd.org with your suggestion!

Latest Episode

Pediatric dentist Anna Simonis joins Newly Erupted to discuss how she has successfully woven together her personal interests with her professional work, fostering a sense of balance. She chats with host Dr. Joel Berg about the rewards and challenges of bringing together all facets of who she is as a person – a pediatric dentist, a business owner, a team leader, a spouse, a mom, a singer – and shares how you can utilize your own passions to be the best professional possible.

Guest Bio

Anna Simonis, DDS, received her Doctorate in Dental Surgery from Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery in 2002. Prior to her graduate studies, she completed her BA at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey, majoring in Psychology. During her education at Columbia, Anna led her peers as their class president for three years, and she delivered the Salutatorian speech at graduation. Continuing her education, Anna pursued a certificate of Specialty in Pediatric Dentistry at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, where she served as Chief Resident. Her private practice experience as a pediatric dentist began on Long Island and continued in Westchester County and then into Connecticut, where she planted her roots and built her practice, New Canaan Pediatric Dentistry, LLC. She is a proud and active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; American Dental Association; Connecticut State Dental Association; New Canaan Dental Society, which she currently serves as vice president; and American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

In her community, Anna currently serves on the boards for New Canaan Cares, The Daycare Center of New Canaan, and The New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, as well as volunteers her time with the New Canaan High School Soccer team (her son’s team) and at various school functions.

Anna adores spending time with her husband, Dennis, their 16-year-old son, Niko, and, of course, her 5-year-old Goldendoodle, Barkley, and most recent addition, Leo, a 4-month-old mini-whoodle. She is an avid reader of various genres and has received her certificate in Health, Wellness and Nutrition at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in order to expand and compliment her scope of services.

About Newly Erupted’s Host:

Joel H. Berg is a consultant in the dental industry and practices Pediatric Dentistry part time in the Phoenix, Ariz., area. He is Professor Emeritus and former Dean at the University of Washington. Dr. Berg is a board-certified pediatric dentist and is a Past-President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and Past-President of the AAPD Foundation.

He is an editor of the book Early Childhood Oral Health, and has published extensively on subjects including dental restorative materials for children, and medical management of dental caries. His current research interests include the development of dental caries prevention programs using risk assessment models to manage dental caries as a disease. He lectures to dental professionals regularly on "Medical Management of Dental Caries". Dr. Berg is also the host of AAPD’s other podcast, Pedo Teeth Talk!