The DOC Podcast

In this episode of The DOC Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Dania Tamimi, an oral and maxillofacial radiologist, Harvard-trained dental educator, and holistic health advocate, for a wide-ranging conversation on why diagnosis must come first in dentistry, and why 3D CBCT imaging is no longer optional for orthodontists who want to truly serve their patients.

Dr. Tamimi brings a uniquely multidisciplinary perspective, weaving together radiology, yoga therapy, kinesiology, and craniofacial anatomy to make the case that the mouth and the airway cannot be treated in isolation. Together, we challenge the "tooth straightener" mindset still dominant in orthodontics, break down the science of nasal breathing and its profound impact on facial development, and take a critical look at recent AAO position statements on airway and CBCT.

Whether you're a seasoned clinician, a young provider, or a curious parent, this episode will change the way you think about dental imaging, airway, and what it means to truly diagnose.

Timestamps:
0:00 — Introduction & Meet Dr. Dania Tamimi
4:01 — Dr. Tamimi's background: oral & maxillofacial radiology explained
4:46 — A parallel career in fitness and why it matters for TMJ
6:55 — "It's all connected" - the TMJ, airway, and the whole body
10:01 — Dr. Mike's airway awakening: how getting a CBCT in 2014 changed everything
12:37 — Why we image: diagnosis is the single most important step
18:38 — CT vs. CBCT: what's the actual difference and why does it matter?
21:58 — Cone beam CT explained: lower dose, dental-specific, and what it can (and can't) show
25:52 — Why is 3D CBCT adoption still debated in orthodontics?
30:09 — Fear, comfort zones, and the cost of not knowing
36:07 — "Knowledge gives you power, fear takes it away"
38:59 — "I don't want to be responsible for what's on the scan" - the liability fear no one talks about
44:07 — Should orthodontists rename themselves craniofacial orthopedists?
52:00 — No such thing as a routine X-ray: why clinical exam must come first
1:13:34 — The science of nasal breathing: nitric oxide, filtration, and why mouth breathing changes your face
1:14:35 — How mouth breathing narrows jaws, crowds teeth, and displaces the tongue into the airway
1:19:01 — Challenging the AAO white paper: "No craniofacial phenotypes can identify airway problems"?
1:23:25 — Can orthodontists read their own scans? How to know when to refer

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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 his 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. He also provides locum tenens coverage for colleagues in South Florida.

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 in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Healthcare Network and a Visiting Professor in the Department of Orthodontics at Montefiore Einstein Hospital in the Bronx.

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!