DE's Business Lab: Addiction and suicide prevention in the dental community

June 27, 2022
Are you or someone you love living in silent suffering? Addiction is slow suicide, and statistics in the dental industry are alarming. Gary Kadi and Ashley Newton share their stories.

I had the honor of talking with Gary Kadi, CEO and founder of NextLevel Practice, and Ashley Newton, COO of Complete Health Airway Group recently. They were kind enough to take time to share their personal stories about addiction and suicide, two topics that need to be discussed openly today more than ever, especially in the dental community. Both Gary and Ashley have focused their efforts on the dental community.

They call themselves "accidental experts": Gary because he's a former addict, and Ashley because her father committed suicide. While statistics for the general population regarding addiction are about 9%–10%, that number is double for the dental industry. The expectations that others and dentists put upon them drive some to turn to "help" in a bottle. And addiction is slow suicide.

Now 14 years sober, Gary shares his story about what led him down the dark road of alcoholism and how he got off of it. Ashley says that if she'd known the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide 12 years ago, she might have been able to save her father.

Both of them share contact information and QR codes in the video. They  would love to talk to anyone who's ready to get help for their addiction, who knows someone who could use intervention, and about the signs to look for regarding addiction and suicide.

Gary noted that addicts and depressed people tend to isolate, and that's the exact opposite of what they need to do. Reaching out for help saves lives.

Resource links

Direct message Gary Kadi on his Facebook account

Strengths and Needs Assessment

Make a donation to Unstoppable Dental Heroes

More informative videos

You can increase profitability without exhausting your team
When to use a semidirect approach

To watch more informative videos on today's topics with industry experts, visit dentaleconomics.com/videos or dentistryiq.com/videos.

About the Author

Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD | Chief Editor

Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD, is the chief editor of Dental Economics. Based in Salem, Massachusetts, Dr. Maragliano-Muniz began her clinical career as a dental hygienist. She went on to attend Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her doctorate in dental medicine. She then attended the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dental Medicine, where she became board-certified in prosthodontics. Dr. Maragliano-Muniz owns a private practice, Salem Dental Arts, and lectures on a variety of clinical topics. You may contact her at [email protected]