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: [email protected]. 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