“Pain is your body’s way of telling you something needs to change.”

In this candid and eye-opening conversation, host Cassie Kellner sits down with Stephanie Botts, BS, RDH, CEAS, founder of Polished Posture, to talk about a topic that quietly affects nearly every orthodontic and dental team: ergonomics, pain, and the long-term cost of pushing through.

Stephanie shares her personal journey as a clinical dental hygienist who loved her work but found herself struggling with chronic pain, and how a breaking point during COVID led her to rethink what “normal” had become in dentistry. What started as a search for answers became a calling to help dental professionals protect their bodies, extend their careers, and feel better at the end of the day.

Cassie and Stephanie explore why pain has been normalized in dental settings, how women-specific challenges like pregnancy, hormonal shifts, and equipment design factor into injury rates, and why small, practical changes can make a meaningful difference. From micro-breaks and positioning to advocacy and awareness, this episode invites leaders and team members alike to rethink how we care for the people behind the chair.

We talk about:
→ Why pain is not “just part of the job”
→ The hidden cost of reactive ergonomics
→ Women-specific challenges in dentistry
→ Simple shifts that reduce strain and burnout
→ Preventive ergonomics for long-term career health
→ Advocating for yourself and your body at work

About Stephanie Botts
Stephanie Botts, BS, RDH, CEAS, is a clinical dental hygienist and Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist with over 17 years of experience. She is the founder of Polished Posture, where she provides in-office and virtual ergonomics consulting, coaching, and continuing education for dental professionals. Stephanie also hosts the podcast Straight Up With Steph and creates educational content through her courses and memberships, helping clinicians optimize ergonomics in and out of the operatory to support pain-free practice and career longevity.

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Episode Links & Resources
Learn more about Polished Posture
Follow Stephanie on Instagram
Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn
Explore on-demand ergonomics courses
Listen to Straight Up With Steph

Connect with Everbloom
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Episode Chapters
00:00 Welcome + setting the conversation
02:30 Stephanie’s clinical background and early pain
06:40 The breaking point that changed everything
10:20 Why pain has been normalized in dentistry
14:30 Women-specific challenges and equipment design
19:10 Preventive ergonomics and small daily shifts
24:40 Micro-breaks, positioning, and blood flow
29:30 Advocacy, awareness, and career longevity
34:40 Final reflections and where to find Stephanie

Topics we explore in this episode include:
dental ergonomics, orthodontic team health, women’s health in dentistry, preventive ergonomics, career longevity, burnout prevention, practice leadership, workplace wellness, musculoskeletal health