RDH Magazine Podcast

With just one episode remaining after this one, Jackie Sanders and Andrew Johnston take some time to reflect on the RDH Magazine Podcast, their years of working together, and what comes next. They look back at how their paths in dental hygiene, podcasting, and publishing came together and share why bringing different experiences, relationships, and perspectives to RDH Magazine and DentistryIQ has made their collaboration so rewarding. While the RDH Magazine Podcast is coming to an end, Jackie and Andrew are not going anywhere. Both will continue focusing on editorial content and new ways of connecting with dental professionals, including more video and digital content across RDH Magazine and DentistryIQ. Most importantly, podcasting for the RDH community continues with A Tale of Two Hygienists. Now part of the RDH Magazine family, the podcast is hosted by Jessica Atkinson and David Torres, who bring their own personalities, perspectives, and passion for dental hygiene to conversations with voices from across the profession. Highlights from the episode include: Why the RDH Magazine Podcast is coming to a close and what Jackie and Andrew will focus on next How Andrew’s move from A Tale of Two Hygienists to DentistryIQ brought Jackie and Andrew’s professional worlds together Why different networks and perspectives can make dental media stronger How Jessica Atkinson and David Torres have made A Tale of Two Hygienists their own while staying true to the podcast’s roots What listeners can expect from A Tale of Two Hygienists going forward Where you can continue to find Jackie and Andrew after the RDH Magazine Podcast ends Continue listening with A Tale of Two Hygienists, featuring hosts Jessica Atkinson and David Torres, for weekly conversations about clinical care, professional growth, education, and the issues affecting dental hygienists today.

AI-generated content is becoming harder to recognize, and polished writing does not always mean accurate or useful information. In this episode, Jackie Sanders and Andrew Johnston sit down with Amelia DeStefano to discuss the rise of “AI slop” and what it means for dental professionals who rely on online content to stay informed. They explore some of the warning signs that content may have been heavily generated by AI, why traditional AI detectors are not always reliable, and how readers can better evaluate the expertise, evidence, and intent behind what they read. The conversation also looks at AI from the other side of publishing. Amelia explains why editors would rather work with an imperfect but authentic article from a knowledgeable dental professional than a polished piece that lacks substance. The group discusses the responsibility of authors, editors, publications, and readers to protect the quality of dental information, particularly when clinical decisions may be influenced by that content. Connect with Amelia DeStefano Email: [email protected]

In this episode, Jackie Sanders and Andrew Johnston sit down with Jill Sirko, PhD, cofounder of KaiAvora Health, to discuss the challenge of translating research into information clinicians and patients can actually use. Jill shares her unconventional path from studying medieval literature and systems of power to working in health care, patient advocacy, and oral health research. She explains how her experience navigating a fragmented health-care system after the birth of her daughter ultimately changed the direction of her career and shaped her interest in making complex health information more accessible.   The conversation explores why it can take years for research findings to make their way into clinical practice, the growing challenge of distinguishing credible science from misinformation, and the responsibility researchers and communicators have to make evidence understandable without oversimplifying it.   Jill also discusses the work behind KaiAvora Health and its focus on helping people better understand the connections between oral and systemic health, particularly in women’s health. For dental hygienists, the conversation highlights an important opportunity: helping patients recognize that oral health involves much more than their teeth and giving them evidence-based information that helps connect what happens in the mouth with the rest of the body.   Resources:   KaiAvora Health: https://www.kaiavorahealth.com/   Jill Sirko on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jill-sirko-phd   KaiAvora Health on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kaiavora-health/

In this episode, Jackie Sanders and Andrew Johnston sit down with dental hygienist Andrew Lee to discuss the growing role dental hygienists can play in identifying potential airway and sleep concerns. Andrew shares how his more than 20 years in clinical practice led him to look beyond the traditional hygiene appointment and explore how dental professionals can better recognize signs such as bruxism, tooth wear, tongue scalloping, and other indicators that may warrant further airway assessment. The conversation also examines one of the biggest challenges in airway care: what happens after a potential problem is identified. Andrew discusses the gaps that can occur when patients are referred outside the dental practice for sleep testing and how more integrated workflows could better connect dentistry and medicine. He also explains why hygienists are well positioned to champion airway screening in their practices and encourages them to view comprehensive assessment as an extension of the preventive care they already provide. Connect with Andrew Lee Email: [email protected]

In this episode, Jackie Sanders and Andrew Johnston sit down with Catrice Opichka during RDH Under One Roof to discuss the ethical decisions dental professionals make every day, often without realizing they are ethical decisions at all. The conversation moves beyond obvious examples such as fraud or intentional  misconduct and examines the smaller choices involving documentation, diagnosis, treatment recommendations, blood pressure readings, and communication with patients and colleagues. Catrice explains how good clinicians can gradually find themselves in difficult situations by taking shortcuts, avoiding uncomfortable conversations, or following office habits that conflict with professional standards. She also discusses the role of dental boards, why their primary responsibility is public protection, and how remediation can help clinicians rebuild competency and continue practicing safely. Connect with Catrice Opichka Email: [email protected]