
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Jose is back again to host his second episode with guest Maria Paula Rodriguez, his dental hygiene classmate from NYU! Maria Paula works as a clinical hygienist in both general and pediatric dentistry; she loves that dental hygiene allows her schedule to be versatile and can switch up where she's working throughout the week! Originally from Venezuela, she explains what it was like for her to start college here, and how her journey led her to dental hygiene. Jose and Maria Paula also discuss differences between bachelors and associates in dental hygiene, different working environments for dental hygienists, and tips for new grads applying for jobs!
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro with Dana and Jose
(05:19) Maria Paula’s RDH Origin Story
(11:46) Bachelor’s vs. Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene
(12:49) From Dental Hygiene School to Working Clinically
(20:02) Tips for New Grad Hygienists
(23:12) Interviewing for Clinical Dental Hygiene Jobs
🟠 Struggling in school? https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/pl/2148740487
🟠 Socials: @dentalhygienebasics
🟠 Scholarships: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/scholarships
🟠 See all FREE upcoming student events: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/events
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jose, a guest on the podcast back in February, is back on this episode to host his very first podcast episode with guest Shelby Wagenman! It's no surprise that we dental hygienists love to nerd out about patient education, so you can expect to hear some great oral hygiene instruction tips from Jose and Shelby in this episode. Another one of the great topics covered was how Shelby overcame the struggle of finding patients for dental hygiene school in a new city. She shared some great tips that haven't been covered on the podcast yet that I'm excited to share with you. Give Jose and Shelby a follow on Instagram: @journeytodentalhygiene @shelbyy.rdh
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro with Dana and Jose
(06:10) Shelby RDH Intro
(11:01) Oral Hygiene Instruction Tips
(25:45) Finding Patients in Dental Hygiene School
(30:34) Deciding Between Two Dental Hygiene Programs
(33:40) Best Memory in Dental Hygiene School and A Tip for Students
🟠 Struggling in school? https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/pl/2148740487
🟠 Socials: @dentalhygienebasics
🟠 Scholarships: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/scholarships
🟠 See all FREE upcoming student events: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/events
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Part 2 of my episode with Lily and Marcus is here! We talk in depth about their dental hygiene school experiences and navigating parenthood, as well as employment during their programs. Both originally graduated with their associate's in dental hygiene and explain the steps they took to get into a master's program. Don't miss their final words of wisdom to all dental hygienists at the end of the episode!
Timestamps:
(00:00) Working Throughout Dental Hygiene School
(03:47) Being a Parent While in School
(05:02) From Associates to Master's Degrees in Dental Hygiene
(13:02) Advice for Dental Hygienists Considering a Master's Degree
🟠 Struggling in school? https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/pl/2148740487
🟠 Socials: @dentalhygienebasics
🟠 Scholarships: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/scholarships
🟠 See all FREE upcoming student events: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/events
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lily and Marcus are pursuing master's degrees in dental hygiene, and both join me to share their unique journeys as RDHs. Lily has been a hygienist for over two decades and, outside of studying, works part-time and volunteers as a hygienist, while Marcus has been a hygienist for seven years and currently works in pediatric hygiene. They share how they both came from completely different careers (technology and construction), yet both found transferable skills they could apply to dental hygiene.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Lily and Marcus’ RDH Origin Story
(13:27) Dental Hygiene School, GPAs, and Dental Experience
(19:34) Skills Needed to be a Great Dental Hygienist
(22:46) Difficulties through Dental Hygiene School
🟠 Struggling in school? https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/pl/2148740487
🟠 Socials: @dentalhygienebasics
🟠 Scholarships: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/scholarships
🟠 See all FREE upcoming student events: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/events
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode is a deep dive with your host of the Dental Hygiene Basics Podcast, Dana Paladino, on the Toothbytes Podcast with Mia and Nicole! We dive into the timeline of my entire academic and professional timeline and how I ended up with all these different jobs as a dental hygienist. To name a few, I am a public health hygienist, national board tutor, ADEX examiner, and business owner. I hope that sharing my story can shed light on some of the ways dental hygienists can utilize their licenses outside of the operatory!
Timestamps:
(00:00) Dana's RDH Origin Story and Journey
(05:45) Educational Background and Career Evolution
(11:23) Experiences in Dental Hygiene School
(17:26) Supporting Students in Dental Hygiene
(23:16) Mindset and Preparation for Board Exams
🟠 Struggling in school? https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/pl/2148740487
🟠 Socials: @dentalhygienebasics
🟠 Scholarships: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/scholarships
🟠 See all FREE upcoming student events: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/events
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode is all about self-talk and analyzing our inner dialogue to shift our feelings and actions for the better! We underestimate the power of our thoughts and how they can impact our performance. Being able to recognize negative thoughts and understand where they're coming from can help us gain clarity on our emotions and navigate them in a positive direction. No matter where you're at in your RDH journey, I can guarantee you can benefit from this discussion!
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:24) Inner Dialogue
(04:54) Recognize Negative Self-Talk
(06:45) Imposter Syndrome
(10:32) Strategies for Positive Self-Talk
🟠 Struggling in school? https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/pl/2148740487
🟠 Socials: @dentalhygienebasics
🟠 Scholarships: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/scholarships
🟠 See all FREE upcoming student events: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/events
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
An Chih Do has been a dental hygienist for 10 years and has 19 years of dental experience. Her journey started when she received her degree in film to then working as a dental assistant, and eventually becoming a pediatric dental hygienist. She has built a platform of community with dental hygienists and has tailored content for pediatric care. She is someone who doesn't shy away from being involved in this profession, and I'm very excited to be able to showcase her journey on this episode!
Timestamps:
(00:00) An Chih’s RDH Origin Story
(05:25) Applying to Dental Hygiene School
(12:43) Paying Tuition
(14:51) Struggles in Dental Hygiene School and After Graduating
(20:22) Advice for Current Dental Hygiene Students
(24:04) An Chih’s Best Memories in Dental Hygiene School
🟠 Struggling in school? https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/pl/2148740487
🟠 Socials: @dentalhygienebasics
🟠 Scholarships: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/scholarships
🟠 See all FREE upcoming student events: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/events
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Scholarships can help to relieve the financial burden of tuition in school, which is why it is my passion and goal to continue awarding dental hygiene students money with the Dental Hygiene Basics Scholarship! In this process, I've reviewed a plethora of applications and picked up on where students are going wrong when applying to scholarships. This episode goes over my tips for students when applying for scholarships and crafting a personal statement that stands out!
Timestamps:
(00:00) My Background with Scholarships
(02:35) Showcasing Your Personality on Scholarship Applications
(05:58) The Disadvantage of Using AI in Applications
(09:47) Keeping Your Personal Statement Relevant
🟠 Struggling in school? https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/pl/2148740487
🟠 Socials: @dentalhygienebasics
🟠 Scholarships: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/scholarships
🟠 See all FREE upcoming student events: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/events
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Amanda Hale, a dental hygienist for 18 years, has developed such a versatile resume and has truly done the most she can with her career! Our conversation in this episode covers her RDH origin story, her journey as a clinical hygienist, and what keeps her busy outside of the operatory. If branching out of clinical hygiene piques your interest, I highly recommend giving this episode a listen. Also, be sure to give Amanda a follow on socials (@thecurvyscaler) and listen to her amazing new podcast "Functional Roots"!
Timestamps:
(00:00) Amanda’s RDH Origin Story
(06:14) Staying Busy in the field of Dental Hygiene
(11:44) Getting into Dental Hygiene School
(18:29) Paying Tuition
(23:28) Struggling in the Dental Hygiene Classroom
(30:54) Great Memories in School
🟠 Struggling in school? https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/pl/2148740487
🟠 Socials: @dentalhygienebasics
🟠 Scholarships: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/scholarships
🟠 See all FREE upcoming student events: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/events
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It may sound strange, but some things are better left behind when entering dental hygiene school. Your mindset is something that has a substantial impact on everything you do, including your education. Mindset is something you have control over and can use in your favor! This ten-minute episode can change your thinking when it comes to dental hygiene school and make you an overall better learner.
Timestamps:
(00:00) How to Compete with Yourself
(03:58) Comparison vs. Admiration
(07:24) The Power of a Positive Mindset
🟠 Struggling in school? https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/pl/2148740487
🟠 Socials: @dentalhygienebasics
🟠 Scholarships: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/scholarships
🟠 See all FREE upcoming student events: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/events
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From the publisher's feed
Are you dreaming of becoming a dental hygienist? The Dental Hygiene Basics Podcast is your go-to resource for getting in, getting through, and graduating dental hygiene…
Never miss an episode, study tips, or upcoming events! Sign up for our newsletter: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/newsletter
Hosted by Dana Paladino, RDH (educator, mentor, and founder of Dental Hygiene Basics), this is the only podcast dedicated solely to guiding future and current dental hygiene students from start to finish. Whether you're prepping your application, tackling first-semester stress, or studying for the NBDHE/NDHCE, you’ll find clear, practical, and uplifting guidance here.
At Dental Hygiene Basics, we offer a full-circle support system:
🎙️ Podcast
📚 Tutoring
🎓 Scholarships
🧡 Educational Resources
This podcast helps you navigate every stage of your dental hygiene journey — from getting accepted to succeeding in school and building your career. You’ll learn how to stand out in your application, prepare for interviews, and develop the study skills, clinical techniques, and instrumentation confidence needed to thrive in hygiene school. We also cover board exam prep (NBDHE/NDHCE), explore both traditional and alternative career pathways for RDHs, and share real stories from hygienists who’ve been in your shoes. Plus, you’ll hear about scholarships and student resources designed to support you along the way.
We answer the questions students actually have — like how to get into dental hygiene school, what to expect once you’re in, and how to prepare for interviews. We break down the biggest challenges students face, how to improve instrumentation and clinical confidence, and the most effective study strategies. We also explore career options after graduation and how to find scholarships and support as a dental hygiene student.
Our Mission: We’re building a supportive, uplifting community where hygienists help aspiring hygienists succeed. 🧡 Our big goal is to award $100,000 in dental hygiene scholarships by 2035 and open doors for the next generation of RDHs.
If you're committed to becoming a registered dental hygienist, this podcast will walk with you every step of the way.
Subscribe now and start your journey to becoming an RDH! 🎧✨
See All of Our Services: https://dentalhygienebasics.com/
Connect With Us on Socials: @dentalhygienebasics
#dentalhygieneschool #dentalhygiene #futurerdh #studentrdh #dentalhygienebasics
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, dental, legal, or academic advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

216 Listeners

369,320 Listeners

56 Listeners

4 Listeners

18 Listeners

4 Listeners