Hello
Anne Duffy: everyone. It is Anne Duffy and welcome to the Just DeW It podcast. I am so happy that you're with me today and I have a very special guest, a dear friend joining me. And before we get started, let me tell you a little bit about her. Ann Marie DePalma is a highly accomplished dental professional with numerous credentials. Deep breath. Ready. C-D-A-R-D-H-M-E-D-F-A-D-I-A. F-A-A-D-H-F-A-D-H-A. That's amazing. you were surprised too, weren't you, Ann Marie?
Ann-Marie DePalma: Wow.
Exactly.
Anne Duffy: She is a graduate of Forsyth School, Northeastern University and UMass Boston. She is a fellow of multiple esteemed organizations.
She has received the Esther Wilkins Distinguished Alumni Award and contributes to dental education through publications and continuing education programs. Beyond dentistry, she is a dedicated wife, mother, and active community volunteer. Please help me welcome my dear guest and friend, Ann-Marie DePalma
Ann-Marie DePalma: I love hearing that. You know, can't believe I've done all of those things. Actually, you know, whenever anyone does an introduction of me, I'm like, that's not me.
Anne Duffy: Well, Guess what? That is you. And it's so funny because I've never read your bio. And when I saw it, I'm like, dang, you are such a smarty pants. You're always always learning. before we even get started on this, you wrote this beautiful article for our winter edition, we've got DDSmatch on the cover. And then we've got, Ann Marie DePalma on the inside and it is recognizing different health.
It is so jam packed full of information that you are not going to get anywhere. I mean, You put that all together in, one article, but boy, when you read it, ladies, you are going to be amazed at all the things that are possible and what to look for as we women grow. In our bodies and our minds and our health. So very important. So thank you for putting that together for us. I'm really excited My pleasure. Today we're here. We want to talk about how you got started And a lot of DeWs women out there are looking to maybe take a toe out of the clinical and do a little bit of a side gig, maybe with some writing and presenting. tell me a little bit about your journey. Because as long as I've known you, you've been presenting CE, but I know it's not always been that way. Tell us a little bit about it. Correct.
Ann-Marie DePalma: So basically, I started as a clinical hygienist, worked in general worked in perio practices and loved it. However, one of those perio practices, the doctor was treating TMD and over a long weekend, I developed TMD. And so I go back into the office on that following Tuesday morning after having experienced limited opening and pain throughout that weekend, he started treating me. And then he treated me for about six months. in his practice, I saw some outside vendors, some physical therapists, all of that. And he got to a point where he said, I can't treat you anymore. And referred me to another dentist who was Prioritizing his practice as a TMD practice.
Anne Duffy: Explain TMD because we have some, listeners that may not know what that stands for.
Ann-Marie DePalma: So we have a very crucial joint that is in our body. It's the TMJ. the temporomandibular joint. Every other joint in your body can work alone. You can move your right knee or left knee without moving them simultaneously. But with your jaw, you have to move it together. And when there's difficulty in the structure of the joint or in the muscles of mastication and the head support muscles, then you develop what is called temporomandibular disorders, though TMD.
So as I was going through the two dentists and the physical therapists that I was seeing, they did all sorts of different treatments everywhere from appliance therapy to joint and muscle injections to diagnostic imaging. Couldn't figure out what was going on. Eventually ended up going to a surgeon, who did some surgery. First did arthroscopic surgery and eventually did open joint surgery. So as a result of that open joint surgery, the structure of the joint includes a disc, just like your knee. But because of the surgery and what was happening in my joint, he had to remove the disc. Through all of my journey between the, periodontist to the oral surgeon and beyond, as a hygienist, I wanted information about what was going on in me, but what I was finding was either way above me or way below me.
I'm a smart person, yes, but what I was finding, I just couldn't understand, or it was way below me. So if I was having difficulty as a dental professional. What about other dental professionals? What about patients in general? So I eventually started writing and wrote for a number of different publications about my journey and TMD and the TMJ and all of that. And then that led into speaking. But, the years, I have expanded my TMD topic to about 10 different topics that I can present on and they range from TMD to implants to recognizing developmental delays in children to artificial intelligence and cyber security and the new one based off on the article on women's health. there's a broad range and a diverse range of topics, but all of my programs are geared towards. The dental team. So all team members, whether they are a hygienist, assistant, administrative team person, or even the doctor. I've had a number of programs where I've had doctors present. it actually came out of all of these different topics, from experiences that I have had, and I intertwine my stories into all of my programs. But, as a wife and mother, I want, stability. So I always had a full-time position, whether that was in a clinical side position or outside of clinical and in training and education. I worked for a large vendor as a software trainer, so I had all of these stable positions and speaking and writing had always been a sidelight.
Until the last year or so when I really decided that this is it, I'm taking it over and running with it.
Anne Duffy: Wow. there's a lot there to unpack Ann-Marie, because first of all, a personal experience is the best way to start a talk or a paper. if you're listening and you want to get into the speaking arena, you want to. Be published. So you started there and you want to write about what you know about and write about what you learn about and speak about what you really know about. And that's what you do. You dig so deeply. This article that is in this winter edition is so in depth. no wonder you're speaking on it now because you did so much time on the front end of the research. And the development of the article and the information that you're sharing, it's just inside of you. So you communicate it so beautifully, to the masses. And I love that you've taken all that experience. And the knowledge that you've had, and now you're giving it to a bigger audience, you've gotta get out there. That's beautiful. it's a good way to start your journey, and you have so many diverse topics. you know, what your five strengths are? 'cause you've gotta have
learner in your top box. Um, No
Ann-Marie DePalma: responsibility communicator. Woo. Winning others over.
And definitely communication. Yeah. So
Anne Duffy: communication that, a great skill to have as a speaker. You almost have to have it because take a lot of knowledge in, but you have to be able to communicate it so people can learn and understand. What you're talking about. And that's what I said.
This article was so interesting because it's very in depth, like I said, but it's also very understandable and we could all relate to what you're talking about. When you've been on this journey now, are you doing some coaching behind it? Well, You are because you're doing the webinars. I guess that's a form of coaching. Would you, agree?
Ann-Marie DePalma: So a little bit of coaching. I'm working with several consultants as an adjunct to what they are doing and helping them for example, I'm going to be working with a consultant, in March, that's working with a very large practice.
She needs someone else to. Helper with that. they have two different locations We're going to split up and work the teams through that as well as primarily doing, the CE programs.
Anne Duffy: Yeah. That is so cool. And I love the idea that you're collaborating. I mean, One of the good things about DeW right, we, come together, you meet people the circle and beyond the circle and you find ways to collaborate and I, forget who you're doing that collaboration with, with the offices, but one of the DeWs told me that they were so excited to be working with you.
And isn't that great because you live there, and it's local and I think that might light fire. Yeah. If you're listening to this too, you say yes, right, Ann-Marie, and then you show up and you never know what's going to come from that saying yes and being present and really doing your best, Tom. Oh yeah.
Ann-Marie DePalma: Recently I had to do an exercise where we had to figure out songs. That we liked. And through that, one of the songs that I picked was, from Hamilton. And if you've ever seen the play Hamilton, you know the song, My Shot, Taking My Shot. And, that's basically exactly what you said. Saying yes. the words may not necessarily correspond to what we're doing, but taking your shot.
Anne Duffy: That's beautiful. I have goosebumps. I can't even know That's so true. Don't be afraid. And then if you're afraid, call somebody and ask them to help you or take a collaboration. start small and then you can always grow. Look at you. I've seen you grow exponentially in the last couple of years since I've really gotten to know you. And it's beautiful to take the career that you've had in the clinical aspect and then use all that knowledge to now share with
others. It's sometimes time for us to step outside of our comfort zone, isn't it?
Ann-Marie DePalma: Exactly. being in that, you know, yeah, I that stability, but yeah. I want to educate others. So by taking that step, taking my shot out of that comfort zone and moving beyond has expanded what I can do for myself as well as for others, you know, and the main goal is helping others, educating others, bringing that they need.
Like I said, all of the programs. are geared for everyone. It's not just hygienists. We're not just, another team member. It's for everyone.
Anne Duffy: Yes. That's, perfect. Cause for do we don't, care what career path you're in. And that is true. This article could go in so many publications. maybe we should chop that around for you because this is for women. And it's, not just dental it's for all. Things that happen to all of us in every walk of life, And the other thing think sometimes about these articles that we're writing for DO that are really specific for women, you know, it's great if a man reads it as well, because then they might recognize that in their mother, their sister, their wife, their daughter. And so it's just really great to open up our eyes to things that could possibly be happening and not have to chase that rabbit hole.
Ann-Marie DePalma: And that's exactly what happened. I presented the course last evening and someone during the course mentioned that, her mom had one of the conditions, you know, that I list And is there any way of preventing it? And unfortunately, a lot of what I talk about is autoimmune. So yes and no, depending upon the particular situation. But, that's one example. When I give my developmental delays in children. Now I worked in a periodontal practice, I never saw children in my practice, but I had my own sons, and as a result of what they experienced.
I develop the program and whenever I give it, I have people always coming up to me saying, Oh yes, I know a patient who's like this or my kids or my grandkids. And that's the important piece of
it, expanding and giving that information so that people can refer to other health professionals, not just in dentistry.
Anne Duffy: Yeah. And especially a lot of those things. I know that you're talking about, they go years without being diagnosed and sometimes it's really a simple fix when you think about it don't you wish, you know, would have, could have, should have, but the word needs to be brought out and someone like you is the perfect person to do it first of all I love the idea of you wanted the stability because we all like a paycheck and being an entrepreneur solely an entrepreneur It's a little bit like a roller coaster, you know, you get a little bit nervous Sometimes when you think oh wait, I don't have anything on my calendar but you just have to keep going you know, you've got to realize that First of all, you're worth it. you have earned it. And now's the time to actually broaden your horizon. So if somebody is looking to get into the speaking and the writing, give us some ideas on how to get
Ann-Marie DePalma: started. So first of all, exactly what you said earlier, taking your personal experiences and building from that, you know, if you're in clinical something that has inspired you. A lot of times whenever I give presentations, the word that always
comes comes back, and the feedback is
Anne Duffy: Your
Ann-Marie DePalma: passion shows through. So what are your passions? first, write about that. Get your name out there. Start doing little things in your local community or your local groups. take courses, things like Toastmaster or some of the other programs that are out there.
Manal has a wonderful program, too, about doing all of that. And there are a number of other dues that do that as well. Lisa Copeland is another one, that have programs about how to present yourself and how to market yourself. So investing in yourself as well,
Anne Duffy: getting the
Ann-Marie DePalma: word out there.
Anne Duffy: You're not just alone in this. I'm like, I can think of Jasmine Haley, Vanessa Emerson. There's so many women that are there to help you hone those skills and be able to communicate, you know, what's on your heart and you just don't want to keep it inside. So I, just love how you present it, because you put so much effort into the back end of it, the research in that, and that makes you a true speaker. And it sounds like your consulting business may be starting as well. So, Just say yes, like we said, take your shot. I'm going to take that with me today. And if you're listening, listen to Ann-Marie DePalma. She says, take your shot. Anne Marie, any other, words to wrap this up
Ann-Marie DePalma: today? Basically helping others, The saying about, so much is given, so much is expected, right? So helping others, giving back, you not be able to give back monetarily, but you can give back in other ways, whether that be writing or speaking or volunteering in a number of different organizations is so amazing.
And that helps you grow. And when you grow, you also help others grow.
Anne Duffy: that is so profound. They say if you're having a bad day, you look around and find somebody to help and to give back. So you're just an absolute joy. You've given so much to our community and I'm really excited to continue to, follow you and follow your career path and see where you're going to go.
So thank you so much. You know, You can write for us anytime, Annemarie. Thank you. I know those do's out there we, you know, if you're platinum or premium memberships, you can write anytime. Or if you're a core member, do you can do blogs and blogs are really helpful. I think you even started with a blog way back in the day Ann-Marie.
So correct. And if
Ann-Marie DePalma: anyone
wants any help in writing, definitely reach out.
Anne Duffy: Oh, that's so nice. Okay, great. And so how do we get in touch with you? If we want you to speak for a webinar, some help in writing or just some advice, how do we find you Ann-Marie?
Ann-Marie DePalma: So two different ways. My email, DePalma. Annemarie at Gmail. It's my name, just backwards. And then, my website, depomaannemarie. com.
Anne Duffy: That is wonderful. That'll be in the show notes, everybody. And just catch us on YouTube. keep following us, download the podcast. We've got a retreat coming up. was at our last retreat and she's one of our. Favorite dues. We're going to be in Charlotte, North Carolina in November, 13th. Oh, I know. I'm so excited about it. now that we get to know each other and all that, it's just, got to get together just for a hug, but we're going to have a lot to share when we get there.
So, you know, Ladies, all of you listening, remember the most important thing is to keep doing you. Thanks for joining us today. Annmarie,
It's always so good to see you, darling. Take care. Take care everyone. bye. Bye Bye everybody.
Narrator: Thank you for listening to the just do it podcast hosted by Anne Duffy to learn more about dental entrepreneur, women. To share your story or to join the movement, please visit our website, do.
life, that is d e w. life. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcasting app to make sure you don't miss an episode. And in the meantime, keep doing you.
