A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast

Episode Highlights: Networking & Power Networking: Dr. Chris Salierno returns for an in-depth conversation on building meaningful professional relationships in dentistry. He offers his insights into "power networking," stressing the importance of showing up, saying yes to opportunities, and making deposits before making withdrawals. Learn how he identifies red flags in networking and why intentional relationship-building leads to lasting success. Clinical Excellence: Andrew and Dr. Salierno discuss the idea that the path to clinical excellence is not always linear. The conversation encourages grabbing knowledge from various sources—networking, colleagues, and even dental influencers—to continually improve patient care. Dr. Salierno talks about taking inspiration from both clinical work and soft skills, emphasizing the ongoing journey toward greatness in dentistry and hygiene. Hiring and Team Values: Dr. Salierno shares his perspective as Chief Dental Officer at Tend and his passion for hiring people who bring personality and technical skill. He discusses why hospitality and a clear mission matter, focusing on how creating a strong employee value proposition attracts the right kind of team members and boosts retention, especially in a competitive dental employment market. Social Media & Professional Comparison: The dangers of social media—especially comparing yourself to peers who only showcase their highlight reels—is a key theme in this episode. Dr. Salierno provides thoughtful advice on maintaining a healthy outlook and keeping professional standards high, both online and offline. Transitions & Career Flexibility: The episode touches on career pivots in dentistry and highlights Dr. Salierno's observations on professionals who successfully transition into various roles—be it technology, teaching, or administration. He shares that the dental field offers incredible flexibility for those willing to say yes, learn, and embrace new challenges. Where to Find More from Dr. Salierno: Dr. Salierno's Substack, "Leaving Healthcare," is packed with posts for anyone interested in non-clinical career options or broadening their horizons in dentistry. You can find him on Instagram as @thecuriousdentist for more content, updates on speaking engagements, and thoughtful discussions. Connect: Dr. Chris Salierno Substack: Leaving Healthcare Instagram: @thecuriousdentist Final Notes: Thanks to Dr. Salierno for sharing his time and wisdom! Make sure to subscribe, check the show notes for resources, and sign up for Andrew's newsletter for more content.

Episode Overview In this special, nostalgia-fueled episode, Andrew takes a look back at meaningful conversations from prior episodes, bringing in crucial advice for dental professionals and hygienists that's just as relevant today as when it first aired. Whether you're a long-time listener or just finding the show, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiring stories from Tom Viola and Renata Nehme on topics crucial to the dental hygiene field. Key Topics and Highlights 1. Dental Hygiene Training and Qualifications (with Tom Viola) Rigorous Training: Tom shares insights from his experience teaching pharmacology to hygienists, highlighting the level of stress, acumen, and stringent requirements of dental hygiene programs. Anesthesia Rights for Hygienists: Discussion on why dental hygienists should be qualified to administer local anesthesia in every state and the process Georgia undertook to make this a reality. Inter-Professional Trust: Tom argues that dentists often lack understanding of hygienists' training. If they witnessed the training firsthand, their confidence in hygienists' skills would grow. Education & Reciprocity: Andrew and Tom debate how state-to-state differences in training impact reciprocity of credentials and the importance of maintaining high standards. 2. Palatal Expansion in Adults (with Renata Nehme) Early Intervention Matters: Renata explains how early observation of jaw growth and dental spacing in children can predict future needs for orthodontic intervention. Adult Expansion Experience: She shares her personal journey with palatal expansion as an adult—including the use of MARPE (mini-implant-assisted rapid palatal expander), the procedure, and recovery. Relapse & Muscle Function: The conversation dives into the importance of myofunctional therapy for lasting results and the role of tongue and muscle habits in dental relapse. Facial Changes: Renata explores how palatal expansion affects not only occlusion but also facial structure, including cheekbones, lips, and nasal width. Must-Listen Moments Tom recalling the intense nature of hygiene school and advocating for robust education standards. Insights into how anesthesia training and workflow advances have elevated the hygiene profession. Renata's deeply personal account of her orthodontic journey, the challenges, and the transformative facial changes she experienced. Practical advice on early dental intervention and the significance of myofunctional therapy from a seasoned clinician. Connect with Today's Guests Tom Viola: Website: tomviola.com Social: @PharmacologyDeclassified Renata Nemi: Instagram: @myomoves Airway Circle: airwaycircle.com Courses for hygienists at Myo University How to Support the Show Subscribe: Don't miss an episode—hit that subscribe button! Newsletter: Sign up for our updates on our website. Engage: Follow us on social media and let us know what you'd like covered in future episodes. Produced by Endeavor Business Media. Have questions, comments, or want to be a guest? Drop Andrew a line through the website or on social media!

Tom Viola is BACK and he is talking about bath salts... and we are not talking about Dr Teal's epsom salts. Tom shares a little bit of the background of what they are, where they originated, and the difficulties of testing for them. Don't miss this 6 minute episode!

Are we on the brink of a mass retirement of dental hygienists? Are hygienists really all that unhappy and what are the drivers that factor into job satisfaction? Rather than guessing, we have Thalia Diedrick on the show who comes with the answers directly from the dental audience! Resources: https://gotu.com/state-of-work/ Thalia@joingotu.com cassidy@joingotu.com

We always talk to our patients about how to remove plaque, apply medicaments, and review systemic factors. What if its easier than all of that? What happens when we simply change our diet instead? Katrina Sanders explains how we can get healthier through diet alone in this short Ask The Experts segment!   Resources: Baumgartner, S., Imfeld, T., Schicht, O., Rath, C., Persson, R., Persson, G.: The Impact of Stone Age Diet on Gingival Conditions in the Absence of Oral Hygiene. J Perio 2009 May;80(5):759-68. More Fast Facts: https://www.ataleoftwohygienists.com/fast-facts/ Katrina Sanders Website: https://www.katrinasanders.com  Katrina Sanders Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedentalwinegenist/ 

Leadership is about failure and experience. In this part 2, we pick up where we left off with Dr. Pam Maragliano and Dr. David Rice as they give expert advice to those looking to succeed in this dental world in which we live. This episode is not to be missed!!

Drs Pam Maragliano and David Rice bring the heat in this crossover episode with the Dentistry Unmasked Podcast. Both of these doctors, having experienced low employee turnover and highly successful practices, have found the secret sauce. As they look around, it seems almost unreal how many other practices continue to struggle. Join us in this conversation and hopefully fix or sidestep some of these landmines!

What are the non-clinical AI tools that are out there and are they here to stay? Many practices are scared of change, many simply just do not want to change.... but will the practices of insurance companies force the issue? Are we overreacting about the usefulness of AI in dentistry? Teresa Duncan joins the show to give us some perspective! Resources: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/ Nobody Told Me That and Chew On This podcasts New journal alert!! The International Journal for Applied Health Behavior Change - www.OHUPublishing.com  

It's scary when life events mandate that you completely change your life and lifestyle. In this episode we hear from Brooke Crouch who spent time in the corporate world for several years, only to find herself headed back to the operatory... and she loves it! Be sure to reach out if you are finding yourself in similar situations! Resources brookecrouchdentalconsulting@gmail.com

Do our patients huff glue? If so, what should we expect? Let's find out on this short episode from Tom Viola! Resources: Be sure to reach out to him if you have any questions by emailing TomViola@tomviola.com, visit his website TomViola.com or check out his social media - @pharmacologydeclassified

In this episode we are talking about waterlines with emphasis on in-office testing. In the past, the testing has maybe taken more time than we have to give, or the process is confusing and we deserve to have clear (actually pink or purple!) results. Give this episode a listen as India Chance gives us an amazing solution from Air Techniques. **In partnership with Air Techniques** Resources: CleanStream Waterline Test Kit - https://www.airtechniques.com/product/cleanstream-waterline-test-kit/ Check the other products from Air Techniques here - https://www.airtechniques.com/product-category/ Connect with India - Learn2prevent on socialmedia Learn2prevent.com

The search for excellent dental assistants can be tough. Just like hygienists, many of them are searching to work to the top of their scope and be compensated accordingly. In this episode, Rachael Wintersteen joins the show to talk about what drives her to continue to search for excellence and promotion. 

In this episode with Jackie Sanders, we talk about the power of evolution and what steps we can take to get to the next level. There are opportunities while we are still chair side, opportunities for hybrid roles, and so many more but it all starts with mentors and connections. Give this episode a listen to see how Jackie can help you!

Katrina is on a role in this short episode as she discusses the broken model of the "one-hour prophy". Listen as she discusses the dangers of blindly following this model and gives 5 ways to improve the appointments.  Resources: More Fast Facts: https://www.ataleoftwohygienists.com/fast-facts/ Katrina Sanders Website: https://www.katrinasanders.com  Katrina Sanders Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedentalwinegenist/ 

Dana Paladino joins the show, she has a great podcast called Dental Hygiene Basics where she helps students and those thinking about working in the dental hygiene space find their footing for success. Join us as she walks us through what she does! Resources: Dental Hygiene Basics Podcast @dentalhygienebasics on socials dentalhygienebasics.com

What happens when culture and vision clash? In this episode, we take a page out of the Dallas Cowboy's playbook and examine what happens when leadership and the team are not aligned. We look at what job satisfaction can lead to and how Micah Parson's should already have been re-signed... well maybe not the last part so much. Resources: Andrew@ataleoftwohygienists.com https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4766

I think we all have made this mistake... a patient walks in and asks about whitening and we tell them about the most convenient paste or premade strips without really talking to them about the specifics of their stain. In this episode, Dr. Derek Gatta discusses how and when to use specific whitening products for the best results. **Brought to you in partnership with RiseWell! risewellpro.com IG @risewellco FB @risewellco Take Our Course on HA & Earn CE Credit!

Great episode with Sianna Trudell as we talk about the evolution of her career from dental assistant, to hygienist, and now to business owner! Sianna is opening a practice in Canada and we talk a little about the differences between the Canadian and US hygienists, developing social media channels supporting the younger and next generation of professionals, launching a speaking career, and round it out with how it goes to open up a practice. Shout out to StudentRDH - Claire Jeong and Sianna's social media partner Kendra!   Resources: SiannaT2000@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/dentaltoothy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@dentaltoothy  

Join us for this episode to learn how to manage biofilm with HuFriedy Group's PWR Pair. "The power of all-in-one brings versatile air polishing to every clinician treating every patient. The PWR Pair brings you the power of sub- and supragingival calculus and stain removal, biofilm disruption, and implant cleaning." Resources: https://www.hufriedygroup.com/en/pwr-pair https://www.hufriedygroup.com/en/pwr-pair#demo https://www.hufriedygroup.com/en/education/continuing-education-classes amberaugerrdh@gmail.com @amberaugerrdh on insta

Turbo CR from Essential Dental Systems is a tray system that softens the calculus in the patients mouth in just 30 seconds. This helps your instrumentation through a more gentle approach and saves your hands and wrists from fatigue.  Resources: https://edsdental.com/Turbo-CR/