Changing Lives Early: The Power of Airway-Aware Orthodontics (w/Dr. Lauren Ballinger) [Ep 132]

The DOC Podcast

Episode Overview

In this episode, I welcome Dr. Lauren Ballinger, a board-certified pediatric dentist with a unique focus on pediatric airway health and wellness. Dr. Ballinger shares her personal and professional journey from traditional pediatric dentistry to a practice centered on airway-focused care, collaborative medicine, and holistic patient wellness.

About the Guest

Dr. Lauren Ballinger is a board-certified pediatric dentist who trained at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. After 15 years in her family’s traditional practice, she founded her own clinic dedicated to airway and dental wellness. Dr. Ballinger is also the co-founder of the Endeavor Foundation, an international organization committed to evolving pediatric dental standards to address root causes of preventable ailments, especially those related to breathing, sleep, nutrition, and inflammation.

Key Topics & Discussion Highlights

• Dr. Ballinger’s Journey:
  How her personal experiences as a mother and clinician led her to question traditional approaches and embrace airway-focused pediatric dentistry.
• Transitioning to Airway-Focused Care:
  The challenges and rewards of shifting from a conventional dental model to one that prioritizes airway health, including the need for team training, patient education, and practice workflow changes.
• Collaborative Care:
  The importance of building networks with ENTs, allergists, myofunctional therapists, and other healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive care for pediatric patients.
• Communicating with Parents and Patients:
  Strategies for discussing airway issues and treatment recommendations with families, including the need for sensitivity, education, and involving children in their own care.
• Behavior Management in Pediatric Dentistry:
  Insights into the unique skills pediatric dentists bring to managing young patients, and how these can benefit interdisciplinary teams.
• Access to Care & Systemic Challenges:
  The difficulties families face in finding airway-focused providers, especially in rural areas, and the broader implications for public health.
• Impact of Airway Health on Child Development:
  Discussion of the neurological and behavioral consequences of sleep-disordered breathing, the overlap with ADHD symptoms, and the critical window for early intervention.
• The Role of Dentists in Whole-Patient Wellness:
  Why dentists are uniquely positioned to identify and address airway issues, and the need for the profession to embrace a more holistic, medical approach.

Notable Quotes

• “This is our window, our opportunity to treat the whole patient, not just straighten teeth.”
• “When you fully embrace airway-focused care, you have to change everything in your practice.”
• “Some of the best connections I have are with parents who are just grateful someone is listening and acknowledging their concerns.”

Resources & Links

• Learn more about DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/)

Connect with the Show

• Email: [email protected]
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Thank you for listening! Share this episode with colleagues or parents who may benefit from a deeper understanding of pediatric airway health and collaborative dental care.