A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast

Every patient who sits in our chair brings more than just a mouth with them. Hormones, bone health, medications, and life stage can all influence what we see clinically.   In this episode, Jessica and Dave explore the connection between hormonal changes, bone health, and oral health—and why dental hygienists play an important role in recognizing the clues, starting conversations, and helping patients get the care they need.   What We Talked About: How hormones and bone health influence oral health throughout a patient's lifetime   What clinicians may notice during puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, and beyond   Oral signs that may point to broader systemic or bone-health concerns   Why early screening can impact long-term health outcomes   Red flags and risk factors for premature bone loss and poor bone quality   How to discuss osteoporosis, bone density, and medications with patients   How to approach sensitive conversations with compassion and confidence   Three practical things every hygienist can start doing tomorrow   The Big Takeaway The mouth can provide important clues about what is happening throughout the body. Understanding the connections between hormones, bone health, and oral health can help clinicians recognize risks earlier and provide more informed, whole-patient care.   Contact the guest:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-evans-bs-mcl-rdh-thephrdh   Website: https://kristinevansrdh.wixsite.com/my-site-2  

Jessica and Dave welcome Dr. Pamela Ray to discuss how hygienists can improve periodontal communication, help patients take ownership of their disease, and guide them toward informed decisions about their health. This episode was brought to you by our friends at Net32.   What We Talked About: Overcoming barriers to periodontal treatment acceptance.   Using the oral-systemic connection to motivate patients.   Effective language and communication strategies.   Strengthening communication with periodontists, physicians, and referral sources.   Handling patients who delay or decline treatment.   Practical tips for creating meaningful conversations that lead to action.   Call to Action: Find your passion while practicing patient care.   Guest: Dr. Pamela Ray — [email protected]   Hosts: Jessica and Dave — [email protected] | [email protected]

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.