867: From Artist to Technician: Unlocking the Power of Whole-Brain Dentistry – Dr. Charlie Ward & Joshua Polansky

Are you a dentist who is an artist, scientist, or maybe even a therapist? In this episode of Clinical Edge Fridays, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Charlie Ward, visiting faculty member from The Pankey Institute, and Joshua Polansky, owner of Niche Dental Studio, to share how success in dentistry requires both hemispheres of your brain. Dentistry isn't just fixing teeth! To learn why both sides matter and how to develop the different skill sets you need, listen to Episode 867 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Dr. Ward & Joshua:

• Send Dr. Ward an email: charlie@bmoredentalarts.com 
• Follow Dr. Ward on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcwarddds
• Learn more about Dr. Ward’s practice: https://www.baltimoredentalarts.com
• Watch Dr. Ward’s webinars: https://restorativenation.com
• Follow Joshua on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichedentalstudio
• Learn more about Joshua’s dental lab: https://nichedentalstudio.com
• Register for Dr. Mazzola & Dr. Ward’s Mastering Treatment Planning course (October 2-4, 2025): https://pankey.org/registration/?courseId=17004&tuition=0&lodging=true
• Register for Dr. Ward’s Mastering Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry course (June 17-20, 2026): https://pankey.org/course-category/mard
• Register for Dr. Mazzola & Dr. Ward’s Mastering Dental Photography course (July 30, 2026 to August 1, 2026): https://pankey.org/registration/?courseId=17781&tuition=0&lodging=true

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• See the ACT Dental/BPA Live Event Schedule: https://www.actdental.com/event
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 867: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos

Main Takeaways:

• Don't just tap into the analytical and technical side of your brain.
• Dentistry also requires a high level of artistry and creativity.
• Develop the emotional maturity to not strive for perfection.
• In working with patients, you need emotional intelligence.
• Look within to identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

0:49 Are you a right or left-brained dentist?

5:53 Being a technician versus being an artist: Dr. Ward.

10:03 Why perfection is dangerous.

15:46 Being a technician versus being an artist: Joshua.

21:57 Incorporating the emotional component.

25:59 Final thoughts.

31:06 More about Joshua and Dr. Ward and how to get in touch.

Dr. Charlie Ward Bio:

After graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2004, he went straight into the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. He earned his DDS degree in 2008, and since then he has completed the Essentials courses and many others at the esteemed Pankey Institute, where he now serves as visiting faculty. He is currently a member of the Maryland State Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry.

Joshua Polansky Bio:

Joshua Polansky earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, Summa Cum Laude, from Rutgers University in 2004. While working part-time at a dental laboratory, he took advantage of an opportunity to apprentice with distinguished master technician, Olivier Tric, of Oral Design Chicago. His eyes were opened to a whole new world of possibilities, and he made the decision to become a master dental technician following the path that Tric had forged.

Joshua continued to acquire technical skills by studying in Europe with other mentors and experts in the field, such as Klaus Mutertheis. He earned his master’s degree in dental ceramics at the UCLA Center for Esthetic Dentistry under Dr. Edward Mclaren, and continued his training under Jungo Endo and Hiroaki Okabe at UCLA’s Advanced Prosthodontics and Maxillofacial Program working on faculty and residents cases.

Joshua currently resides in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where he is the owner and operator of Niche Dental Studio.