A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) affect millions of patients, yet they remain widely misunderstood.   In this episode, Jessica and Dave explore a new way of thinking about TMD with Dr. Anthony Urbanek. After 36 years of performing TMJ surgery, Dr. Urbanek stopped and began researching the disease to better understand its causes and develop a nonsurgical approach.   What We Talked About:   Why the traditional TMD treatment paradigm needs to change   Common myths and misconceptions about TMD   The connection between occlusion, muscles, joints, inflammation, and symptoms   Why hygienists can be the first line of defense in TMD screening   Early recognition and practical screening strategies   Conservative, evidence-based approaches to TMD management   Helping patients understand their condition and treatment options   Where TMD research and treatment are headed   The big takeaway: The old paradigm treats symptoms. The new paradigm starts by understanding the disease.   Resources: www.urbanektmj.com https://www.dentalproductsreport.com/view/urbanek-tmj-device-is-designed-to-relieve-the-inflammation-that-causes-temporomandibular-disorder https://www.dentaleconomics.com/science-tech/article/14299097/taking-the-bite-out-of-tmd https://hub.dentalentrepreneur.com/podcasts/the-future-of-dentistry/episodes/2148166983       Contact Guest: [email protected]   https://www.facebook.com/TMJServicesofBrentwood   https://www.instagram.com/TMJServicesofBrentwood/   Contact the Hosts:   Jessica Atkinson: [email protected]   Dave Torres: [email protected]

Orthodontic treatment can make oral hygiene more challenging, with brackets and aligner attachments creating areas where biofilm can accumulate and contribute to demineralization and white spot lesions.   This episode was brought to you by our friends at Solventum.   In this episode, Jessica Atkinson and Dave Torres discuss the role of fluoride in orthodontic prevention and how Solventum™ Clinpro™ Clear can help protect enamel while fitting seamlessly into clinical workflows.   What We Talked About   Why brackets and aligner attachments make oral hygiene more difficult.   The impact of biofilm and demineralization during orthodontic treatment.   The role of fluoride in orthodontic prevention.   How Clinpro™ Clear can migrate around brackets and attachments to reach high-risk areas.   Its fast-acting, 15-minute eat-and-drink time.   Its self-contained design for simple chairside application.   How Clinpro™ Clear can support both patient experience and practice workflow.   Resources: https://www.solventum.com/en-us/home/f/b5005503000/   https://s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/mmmspinco/clinpro-clear-brochure-ds-rps-enpdf   Contact the Hosts Jessica Atkinson [email protected]   Dave Torres [email protected]

In this tipisode, Amanda Hill - RDH explores the importance of biology-driven home care recommendations and why a one-size-fits-all approach may not meet every patient's needs. From chronic inflammation and acute healing to xerostomia and remineralization, Amanda discusses how hygienists can match home care products to each patient's unique biology. She highlights the important role of saliva in oral health and shares strategies for supporting patients during the many months between dental hygiene visits. The takeaway: Assess first, choose products second, and build a home care protocol around what the patient's biology actually needs. Download the free Perio Protect and Periosciences treatment protocol for guidance on what to use, when to use it, and how to layer therapies.

Jessica and Dave welcome Judy Carroll, RDH, Founder and Clinical Director of PerioPeak Innovations, to discuss how periodontal endoscopy is changing the way hygienists assess and treat periodontal disease.   With 36 years of clinical experience, Judy shares her expertise on:   How periodontal endoscopy works and its evolution in hygiene.   How visualization can improve clinical decision-making and calculus detection.   The connection between endoscopy, biofilm management, and periodontal outcomes.   Common misconceptions, barriers, and training considerations.   The future of visualization technology in periodontal care.   More affordable, hygiene-focused approaches for treating teeth traditionally considered hopeless.   Learn more about Judy's work and periodontal endoscopy at www.periopeak.com and connect with @periopeak on social media.   Resources www.periopeak.com www.facebook.com/periopeak/ linkedin.com/in/periopeak/ @periopeak Guest: Judy Carroll, RDH | [email protected] Hosts: Jessica and Dave | [email protected] | [email protected]

On this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave sit down with a dental professional who has spent more than 20 years in hygiene and noticed a recurring problem: patients whose bruxism and wear patterns pointed to possible airway issues were being referred for sleep evaluations, but too often never completed the process.   That frustration led to the creation of Orasom Health, a platform designed to help dental teams support patients from the first airway red flags in the dental chair through screening, diagnosis, and treatment.   What We Talked About How hygienists are uniquely positioned to recognize oral signs that may point to airway dysfunction.   Why patients so often fall through the cracks after being referred for a sleep evaluation.   How dental teams can better support patients throughout the journey from screening to diagnosis and treatment.   The important role hygienists can play in identifying potential airway concerns early.   The personal, unexpected journey that sparked this mission — beginning not through dentistry, but with an unfortunate near-death experience that changed the guest's life and set this work in motion.   The Big Takeaway Airway health doesn't have to stop at a referral. Dental hygienists are often on the frontline of identifying potential warning signs, giving them a unique opportunity to help patients take the next step toward answers and treatment.   Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aylee706/   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puz8YoY2_To     Contact the Hosts: Jessica: [email protected] Dave: [email protected]