This week, David Rice and Pam Maragliano are joined by the multi-talented Dr. Karla Soto, a third-generation dentist with nearly 20 years of clinical experience and educational leadership. Recorded on a Friday when everyone is finally at home, the conversation takes a laid-back but inspiring look at dentistry careers, lifelong learning, and what it takes to stay passionate and innovative in the dental field.

Key Topics Covered

1. Dr. Karla Soto’s journey & philosophy

• Transition from residency to joining her mother's startup practice in Boca Raton, Florida as a young mom
• Passion for comprehensive, patient-focused dentistry, and why she became “addicted” to continuing education
• Emphasis on saying “yes” to new opportunities and immersing fully into each experience

2. The power of continuing education (CE)

• Discussion on how the right CE can ignite passion, confidence, and new skills, especially when surrounded by like-minded peers
• Both Dr. Karla Soto and Dr. Pam Maragliano reflect on the formative impact of early mentors and immersive CE experiences.
• The challenge is that only about 4% of dentists actually implement advanced CE learnings in daily practice.

3. Making education practical (and bringing your team)

• Pam and Dr. Soto and stress the importance of practical, real-world workshops, and learning side-by-side with team members.
• Examples of how having your “ride or die” implementer (office manager or assistant) makes integration more successful.

4. Favorite tools & techniques

• Full digital workflow for consults, patient engagement, and clinical procedures
• Love for certain products: Ultradent Optrasculpt, OptiGate, Variolink cements, Ivoclar products, and Emax for ceramics
• Practical tips from mission trips—why certain tools become absolute MVPs when resources are limited, and how these experiences inform what’s essential in regular practice

5. Fostering team investment & growth

  •Dr. Karla Soto's educational platform, Key Elements, focuses on bringing whole teams together, sharing the journey, and creating retention through shared development wins.

• “When your circle is at that level, it's almost contagious—you want to keep elevating together.” —Dr. Karla Soto
• “You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable if you want to grow in this profession.” —Dr. Karla Soto
• “I love CE that inspires me to want to change how I practice.” —Pam Maragliano

• Instagram: @Dr.KarlaSoto
• Educational Platform: keyelements.co
• Dr. Karla Soto is based in South Florida and always happy to connect with curious colleagues!