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 Welcome
00:07 Melissa's Journey into Dental and Ortho
00:37 Early Career and Mentorship
01:08 Transition to Myofunctional Therapy
03:33 Personal Struggles and Realizations
17:05 Introduction to Myobrace
20:13 Challenges and Implementation
29:35 Consulting and Airway Focus
50:38 The Certification Process to Become an OMT
51:41 The Role of Speech Therapists and Hygienists
53:36 Licensing and Certification Challenges
55:32 The Importance of Dentist Involvement
55:48 Liability and Insurance in Myofunctional Therapy
56:35 How To Bill for Myofunctional Therapy
01:04:37 The MyoMunchie: A Functional Appliance
01:15:42 Personal Stories and Case Studies
01:26:36 The Business of Myofunctional Therapy
01:33:20 Final Thoughts and Future Directions
LINKS:-IG: @MelissaTheMouth
-Email: melissa@melissamugno.com
What is The DOC Podcast?
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!