Episode 69: The Hidden Harms of Vaping and Nicotine Pouches - What Dental Professionals Need to Know

Hosts: Tabitha Acret (Australia) & Melissa Obrotka (USA) 

Episode Description 

In this critical episode, Tabitha and Melissa tackle one of the most pressing and misunderstood topics in oral health today: the harms of vaping and nicotine pouches like Zyn. Far from being "harmless alternatives," these products present significant risks that dental professionals need to understand and address.

Key Topics Covered What Are Vapes and Nicotine Pouches?

🔑   Vaping devices (e-cigarettes): Heat liquid containing nicotine, flavorings, and chemicals              for inhalation

🔑   Nicotine pouches (Zyn): Tobacco-free pouches placed between the lip and gum, absorbed          through the oral mucosa

🔑   Nicotine concentration: One Zyn pouch contains 6-12mg of nicotine (potentially more                than a cigarette)

Marketing Tactics: Big Tobacco 2.0

• Bright colors and fruity flavors targeting teens and young adults
• Lifestyle branding and social media influence campaigns
• Packaging designed to look like gum or mints
• Stanford 2023 study: Flavored vaping products are the #1 reason adolescents try e-cigarettes

Ingredient Breakdown

E-liquids contain:

• Nicotine
• Propylene glycol
• Glycerin
• Flavorings (including diacetyl linked to "popcorn lung")
• Heavy metals (lead, nickel)
• Volatile organic compounds

Nicotine pouches contain:

• Nicotine salts (more bioavailable)
• pH adjusters
• Flavorings
• Fillers and binders

Oral Health Impacts 

Vaping effects:

• Xerostomia (dry mouth)
• Gingival inflammation
• Increased caries risk
• Delayed healing
• Oral microbiome disruption

Nicotine pouch effects:

• Localized gum recession
• Mucosal irritation
• Leukoplakia-like lesions
• Increased calculus formation

Systemic Health Concerns

• Cardiovascular impacts: Increased blood pressure, heart rate, inflammation
• 2022 JAMA study: Daily vaping linked to increased myocardial infarction risk in young adults
• Respiratory conditions: 34% higher risk of chronic respiratory issues (2023 Lancet meta-analysis)
• Mental health: Potential links to increased anxiety and depression in teens

Addiction Potential

• Single Zyn pouch may deliver more nicotine than a cigarette
• Adolescents using nicotine pouches show similar addiction profiles to daily smokers
• Products represent "harm redirection" rather than harm reduction

Regulatory Landscape Australia

• Non-prescription nicotine vapes banned for importation
• Enforcement challenges remain
• Zyn and similar pouches available through online retailers despite restrictions

United States

• Zyn legally available (not classified as tobacco product due to no leaf content)
• FDA slow to regulate; issued warnings in 2023 but sales continue growing
• Limited oversight compared to traditional tobacco products

Clinical Guidance for Dental Professionals Assessment Questions

• Ask specifically: "Do you vape? Use nicotine pouches?" not just "Do you smoke?"
• Include all age groups, especially adolescents and young adults

Clinical Signs to Watch For

• Gingival trauma
• Mucosal changes
• Halitosis
• Increased bleeding during procedures
• Localized recession patterns

Intervention Strategies

• Patient education about actual risks vs. perceived safety
• Include nicotine cessation counseling in treatment planning
• Provide referrals to cessation programs when appropriate
• Use uncomfortable conversations as opportunities for life-changing interventions

Key Takeaways

1. Reframe the narrative: These products aren't "better than smoking" – advocate for health, not just harm reduction
2. Education is essential: Many patients believe these products are safe
3. Prevention is our responsibility: Use clinical encounters to identify and intervene
4. Knowledge sharing: Discuss with colleagues, patients, and community members

Research References

• JAMA Network Open (2022): "Electronic Cigarette Use and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease"
• The Lancet Respiratory Medicine (2023): "E-Cigarettes and Respiratory Health: A Meta-analysis"
• Tobacco Control (2022): "Adolescent Use of Nicotine Pouches"
• Stanford Research (2023): Impact of flavored vaping products on adolescent initiation
• Australian Government Department of Health: Vaping Regulation Updates

BONUS - Listen for a spontaneous guest on current events/trends in high school as Melissa's 17-year-old son, Jade Obrotka, makes his debut on the show and shares the vaping and Zyn (anecdotal) stats from his peers. 

Resources for Practitioners

• Cessation counseling tools and scripts
• Patient education materials
• Current research papers and clinical guidelines
• Regulatory updates by region

Connect with Disrupting Dentistry

Podcast: Available on Apple Podcasts and other major platforms

Website: Disrupting Dentistry Podcast

Share this episode if it resonated with you – knowledge sharing drives change in our profession!

Instagram: 

Follow ➡️ @disruptingdentistrypodcast

Follow ➡️ @tabitha_dental_hygienist_

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Send us an 📧 [email protected] with your stories, reflections, or questions!

Episode Credits

Hosts: Tabitha Acret & Melissa Obrotka Podcast: Disrupting Dentistry Episode: The Hidden Harms of Vaping and Nicotine Pouches - What Dental Professionals Need to Know

"Knowledge is power — and prevention is our responsibility."

Stay kind, stay present, and keep disrupting!  Thank you for listening! 🤟

Beyond the Chair: Trauma-Informed Care in Dentistry Show Notes - Disrupting Dentistry Podcast Episode Description

This isn't just about patient experience — it's about humanity, dignity, and creating safer, more responsive dental environments for everyone who walks through our door. In this powerful episode, Tabitha and Melissa delve into trauma-informed care, exploring why every dental professional needs to understand its impact on both patients and providers.

What You'll Learn

• The real definition of trauma (it's not what you think)
• Why dental visits are perfect storms for trauma activation
• The five pillars of trauma-informed care and how to implement them
• How to recognize trauma responses in the dental chair
• The difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD
• Why trauma-informed care matters for your team, too
• Actionable steps to start practicing differently TODAY

Episode Timestamps

0:00-3:00 - Introduction & Host Catch-Up

3:00-8:00 - What Is Trauma? Why It Matters in Dentistry

• Redefining trauma beyond "big events"
• Types of trauma our patients carry
• Why dental visits trigger trauma responses

8:00-18:00 - The 5 Pillars of Trauma-Informed Care

• Safety (physical and emotional)
• Trustworthiness and transparency
• Peer support and collaboration
• Choice, voice, and empowerment
• Cultural, historical, and gender considerations

18:00-25:00 - Recognizing Trauma in the Chair

• Signs to watch for during appointments
• Understanding PTSD vs Complex PTSD
• Real-world examples and case studies

25:00-30:00 - Trauma-Informed Care for Dental Teams

• Addressing vicarious trauma
• Creating psychologically safe workplaces
• Self-care strategies for providers

30:00-35:00 - Systems Change in Dental Education

• What dental schools need to teach
• Moving away from shame-based learning
• Policy and clinic transformations

35:00-40:00 - Where to Start: Practical Implementation

• The magic questions to ask patients
• Small changes with big impact
• Shifting from "what's wrong" to "what's needed"

Key Takeaways

🔑 Trauma is any experience that overwhelms someone's ability to cope - not just "big" events

🔑 Dental visits can be triggering due to loss of control, intimate procedures, and power dynamics

🔑 The 5 pillars provide a framework for creating safer, more responsive care

🔑 Trauma responses show up in the body - watch for physical and emotional signs

🔑 This work isn't just patient-facing - teams need trauma-informed cultures too

🔑 Start with curiosity and presence - you don't need all the answers to care differently

Resources Mentioned

• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - Framework for trauma-informed care

Action Items for Listeners

✅ Ask these questions in your next patient interaction:

• "How can I make this space safer for you today?"
• "What do you need from me right now?"
• "What would help you feel more comfortable?"

✅ Implement the five pillars gradually:

• Start with one pillar per week
• Practice explaining procedures before touching
• Offer choices throughout appointments

✅ Check in with your team:

• Normalize debriefing complex cases
• Create space for emotional check-ins
• Encourage self-care and boundaries

✅ Share this episode with colleagues, faculty, and your dental community

Connect with the Hosts

• Instagram: 

  Follow ➡️ @disruptingdentistrypodcast

  Follow ➡️ @tabitha_dental_hygienist_

  Follow ➡️ @itsthebadasshygienist

• Connect With The Disrupting Dentistry Movement 🔥

• Send us an 📧 [email protected] with your stories, reflections, or questions
• Share your trauma-informed care journey using #DisruptingDentistryPodcast

Next Steps

Ready to go deeper? Here are ways to continue your trauma-informed care education:

1. Research SAMHSA's trauma-informed care principles
2. Attend trauma-informed care training for healthcare providers
3. Start conversations with your dental team about implementing these practices
4. Connect with mental health professionals in your community for referral resources
5. Advocate for trauma-informed care curriculum in dental education

Episode Credits

Hosts: Tabitha Acret & Melissa Obrotka Podcast: Disrupting Dentistry Episode: Beyond the Chair: Trauma-Informed Care in Dentistry

Remember: This work can't fall solely on individual clinicians — it must be embedded into education, policy, and the very culture of how we practice dentistry. Let's build a more human profession — together.

Stay kind, stay present, and keep disrupting!  Thank you for listening! 🤟

Episode 67: Neuromarketing for Dental Pros: Understanding the Science Behind Effective Marketing

In this enlightening episode, we delve into the fascinating world of neuromarketing with Yoli Dick, a seasoned expert with over a decade of experience at the intersection of dentistry and marketing. Discover how understanding the brain's 🧠 decision-making processes can transform your dental practice's marketing strategy from merely functional to deeply resonant and compelling.

Key 🔑 Topics Discussed:

• How the brain processes marketing messages and makes healthcare decisions
• The science behind building trust signals into your dental brand
• Creating emotional connections that drive patient loyalty
• Practical neuromarketing techniques that dental professionals can implement immediately
• The importance of consistent brand touchpoints from website to waiting room

Highlights ✳️ from the Conversation:

• Yoli explains how emotions, not logic, drive most healthcare decisions and what this means for dental marketing
• The physiological responses that patients have to different marketing approaches and environments
• Why traditional dental marketing often fails to connect with potential patients
• Practical strategies for designing your practice around the patient's emotional journey
• How to train your team to become authentic brand ambassadors

About Our Guest: Yoli Dick helps dental professionals and healthcare providers build brands that feel as good as they perform. She creates purposeful, emotionally intelligent marketing that genuinely connects with patients by blending deep industry knowledge with neuroscience-driven strategy. Through her consulting and training programs, Yoli empowers dental teams to communicate clearly, connect authentically, and grow their practices with heart and purpose.

Connect with Yoli:  📥 Subscribe to Yoli's Blog

• 🌐 Yoli Dick Marketing Services | Neuroscience Marketing Strategies
• 📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolidick
• 📲 Instagram: Yoli Dick | Human-Centered Marketing (@yolidickneurosciencemarketer) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect With The Disrupting Dentistry Movement 🔥

🚀 Share this episode with colleagues who can benefit from listening to it!

🚀 Subscribe to stay on the cutting edge of disruptive dental practice techniques!

Follow ➡️ @disruptingdentistrypodcast

Follow ➡️ @tabitha_dental_hygienist_

Follow ➡️ @itsthebadasshygienist

DentalMarketing #Neuromarketing #PatientExperience #DentalBranding #EmotionalIntelligence #HealthcareMarketing #PracticeGrowth #PatientLoyalty #DentalBusiness #BrandStorytelling #DentalPracticeSuccess

Thank you for listening! 🤟

Special Guest Dental Disruptor: Alan Timmerman, Oral Health Therapist & Specialist Periodontal Practice Owner

In this groundbreaking episode, Tabitha sits down with Alan Timmerman, an Australian Oral Health Therapist who has shattered traditional career expectations by purchasing and running his own specialist periodontal practice. This conversation explores Alan's unconventional journey from clinical practice to business ownership and provides valuable insights for OHTs looking to expand beyond conventional roles.

Key Topics Covered

🔄 From Clinician to Owner: Alan's Journey

• Alan's background and early career as an Oral Health Therapist
• The pivotal moments that led him to consider practice ownership
• The transition process and unexpected challenges faced along the way
• How his clinical background prepared him for business leadership

💼 Business Ownership Realities for OHTs

• Navigating the financial aspects of purchasing a specialist practice
• Building credibility in a specialist setting as an OHT
• Managing the dual responsibilities of clinical work and business operations
• Creating systems that maintain quality while allowing for growth

⚖️ Scope of Practice Considerations

• How Alan structures his practice to respect the scope of practice limitations
• Building effective referral relationships with periodontists
• Creating clear protocols for case management and referrals
• Innovative approaches to team structure in a specialist setting

🌱 Practice Growth Strategies

• Marketing a periodontal practice in today's competitive landscape
• Building relationships with general practices for consistent referrals
• Investing in technology that elevates periodontal care
• Staff development and creating a perio-focused culture

💡 Advice for Forward-Thinking OHTs

• Essential skills OHTs should develop beyond clinical expertise
• Business education and resources Alan recommends
• Common pitfalls to avoid when expanding your career horizons
• Building a support network for unconventional career paths

Key Takeaways

• OHTs have more career possibilities than traditionally recognized
• Business ownership requires both clinical credibility and leadership skills
• Specialist practices can thrive under OHT ownership with proper structure
• Expanding your vision requires stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing new challenges
• The future of dental practice ownership is becoming more diverse and inclusive

Connect With The Movement 🔥

🚀 Join the dental revolution! 

🚀 Share this episode with colleagues who can benefit from listening to it!

🚀 Subscribe to stay on the cutting edge of disruptive dental practice techniques!

Follow ➡️ @disruptingdentistrypodcast

Follow ➡️ @tabitha_dental_hygienist_

Follow ➡️ @itsthebadasshygienist

#DisruptingDentistry #StopBleedingGums #OralSystemicConnection #DentalInnovation #PerioHealth

This episode FINALLY exposes how stress is silently destroying your patients' mouths! 🚨 Melissa and Tabitha break through the traditional dentistry noise to reveal the science behind why stress might be the #1 oral health saboteur your patients (and YOU) aren't talking about.

Key Topics Covered

🧠 The Science of Stress & The Oral Cavity (3:00-12:00)

• How the HPA axis is literally bathing your patients' mouths in cortisol! 💦
• The SHOCKING immune suppression that's happening beneath our patient's gingiva
• Revolutionary research that mainstream dentistry isn't discussing
• Why your patients' stress behaviors are creating a perfect storm for oral disease 🌪️

😬 Stress-Related Oral Conditions (12:00-25:00)

• Bruxism: The silent nighttime destroyer most dentists just band-aid with a nightguard
• TMD: It's not just about the jaw—it's about the WHOLE PERSON
• The stress-triggered conditions conventional dentistry misses:
  • Aphthous ulcers that keep returning 🔄
  • Lichen planus that won't respond to traditional treatments
  • Burning Mouth Syndrome—it's NOT just in their heads!
• The REAL reason periodontal treatments fail: STRESS! 🔥

🦷 What Dental Professionals NEED To Do (25:00-40:00)

• Ditch the antiquated screening methods and start asking the RIGHT questions
• Salivary diagnostics: The game-changing tool traditional practices ignore
• The MIND-BLOWING connection between stress, bruxism, and sleep apnea 😴
• Breaking the vicious cycle your patients are trapped in
• Revolutionary signs you should be looking for:
  • Scalloped tongues = RED FLAG 🚩
  • Constricted airways that are SCREAMING for attention
  • High-arched palates telling a story of dysfunction
  • Forward head posture that traditional dentistry overlooks
  • Morning symptoms that connect to nighttime problems
• Why collaborating with sleep medicine is NO LONGER optional! 🤝

Key Takeaways That Will DISRUPT Your Practice Tomorrow 💪

• Start seeing stress as the root cause, not just a contributing factor
• Implement stress screenings TODAY—your patients' health depends on it
• Stop treating symptoms and start healing causes—your oath demands it!
• Embrace the mouth-body connection that traditional dental education ignored
• Take care of YOUR stress, too—you can't pour from an empty cup! 🧘‍♀️

Because We ALWAYS Bring the Research Receipts 🧾

• Al-Jewair, T., et al. (2023). Association between obstructive sleep apnea, periodontal disease, and systemic inflammation: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

  Camacho, M., et al. (2021). Palatal expansion therapy as a treatment modality for obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews.

  Carra, M.C., et al. (2022). Sleep bruxism and sleep-disordered breathing: A systematic review of polysomnographic studies. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

  Gómez-Moreno, G., et al. (2022). Effects of psychological stress on the oral microbiome: A systematic review. Journal of Oral Microbiology.

  Iwasaki, M., et al. (2022). Association between salivary cortisol levels and periodontal clinical parameters. Clinical Oral Investigations.

  Lobbezoo, F., et al. (2023). Bruxism and temporomandibular disorders: A comprehensive review of comorbidities and management. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation.

  Manfredini, D., et al. (2022). Electromyographic assessment of masseter and temporalis muscles in individuals with different stress levels: A controlled study. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation.

  Martins, R.P., et al. (2023). Impact of psychological stress on periodontal disease progression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Oral Investigations.

  Mendes, F.S., et al. (2023). Cortisol levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews.

  Patil, S., et al. (2022). Psychological stress and oral lichen planus: A case-control study. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine.

  Peruzzo, D.C., et al. (2021). Psychological stress, salivary cortisol, and periodontitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Periodontal Research.

  Scully, C. (2021). Aphthous ulceration: A comprehensive review of etiopathogenesis. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine.

  Silva, L.A., et al. (2023). Burning mouth syndrome and psychological factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine.

Connect With The Movement 🔥

🚀 Join the dental revolution! 

🚀 Share this episode with colleagues who can benefit from this episode!

🚀 Subscribe to stay on the cutting edge of disruptive dental practice techniques!

Follow ➡️ @disruptingdentistrypodcast

Follow ➡️ @tabitha_dental_hygienist_

Follow ➡️ @itsthebadasshygienist

#DisruptingDentistry #StopBleedingGums #OralSystemicConnection #DentalInnovation #PerioHealth

This episode challenges the dental industry's casual approach to gingivitis and reframes bleeding gums as a severe systemic health warning that demands attention! Melissa and Tabitha reveal why making gingivitis identification compelling to patients is crucial for oral and overall health outcomes.

Link to Meissa's Post mentioned in the episode:  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG0LnVGsrnT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Key Topics Covered

🚨 Why Gingivitis Is More Than "Pink in the Sink"

• The systemic connection between gingival inflammation and elevated inflammatory markers (CRP, interleukin-6)
• How gingivitis serves as an early warning system for broader health issues
• The direct link between periodontal inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk (Bale-Doneen Method)

🔬 The Progression from Gingivitis to Periodontitis

• Research showing how untreated gingivitis commonly advances to irreversible damage
• How inflammation increases oral mucosa permeability, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream
• The systemic health risks associated with ongoing gingival inflammation:
  • Diabetes complications
  • Cognitive decline
  • Adverse pregnancy outcomes

💡 Tools for Compelling Gingivitis Communication

• Tech-forward approaches that transform patient understanding:
  • Voice-activated perio charting
  • Biofilm disclosing for immediate visual impact
  • Salivary diagnostics to personalize care and track improvements

🗣️ Reframing the Clinical Conversation

• Moving beyond "floss more" to delivering a blueprint for whole-body health
• Powerful language shifts that motivate patient action
• Positioning dental professionals as frontline preventive medicine specialists

Featured Research:  Because We ALWAYS Bring the Research  🧾

1. Page, R. C., Offenbacher, S., Schroeder, H. E., Seymour, G. J., & Kornman, K. S. (2002). Advances in the pathogenesis of periodontitis: Summary of developments, clinical implications, and future directions. Journal of Periodontology, 73(8), 935-951. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2002.73.8.935
2. Sanz, M., Marco Del Castillo, A., Jepsen, S., Gonzalez-Juanatey, J. R., D'Aiuto, F., Bouchard, P., Chapple, I., Dietrich, T., Gotsman, I., Graziani, F., Herrera, D., Loos, B., Madianos, P., Michel, J. B., Perel, P., Pieske, B., Shapira, L., Shechter, M., Tonetti, M., Vlachopoulos, C., & Wimmer, G. (2020). Periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases: Consensus report. Frontiers in Medicine, 7(25). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2020.00025
3. Tonetti, M. S., Van Dyke, T. E., & Working Group 1 of the Joint EFP/AAP Workshop. (2013). Periodontitis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: Consensus report of the Joint EFP/AAP Workshop on Periodontitis and Systemic Diseases. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 40(S14), S24-S29. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.12089

Key Takeaways That Will DISRUPT Your Practice 💪

• Reframe gingivitis conversations to focus on whole-body health implications
• Implement visual and auditory tools to make inflammation impossible to ignore
• Use data-driven approaches through salivary diagnostics
• Position yourself as a preventive health specialist, not just a dental provider
• Choose language that conveys urgency and importance

Connect With The Movement 🔥

🚀 Join the dental revolution! 

🚀 Share this episode with colleagues who need to level up their gingivitis communication. 

🚀 Subscribe to stay on the cutting edge of disruptive dental practice techniques!

Follow ➡️ @disruptingdentistrypodcast

Follow ➡️ @tabitha_dental_hygienist_

Follow ➡️ @itsthebadasshygienist

#DisruptingDentistry #StopBleedingGums #OralSystemicConnection #DentalInnovation #PerioHealth

In this episode of The Disrupting Dentistry Podcast, Melissa (USA) and Tabitha (Australia) dive into communication's critical role in improving patient outcomes. From explaining the oral-systemic connection to collaborating with medical professionals, they share actionable strategies to enhance patient engagement and drive whole-body health. You'll learn how patient-centered communication, visual aids, and interdisciplinary collaboration can transform your practice and reduce systemic inflammation. Tune in for practical tips backed by science!

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why effective communication is essential for improving patient compliance and health outcomes
• Patient-centered communication techniques that enhance understanding and engagement
• The power of visual aids, including biofilm disclosing and voice-activated periodontal charting
• How to clearly explain the oral-systemic link to patients
• The importance of collaborating with other healthcare providers for integrated patient care
• Link to the episode referneced: The One Where We Talk About Communication

Key Takeaways:

1. Use patient-friendly language and open-ended questions to foster better communication.
2. Leverage visual aids and real-time technology to help patients "see" their oral health status.
3. Clearly articulate the connection between oral health and systemic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
4. Build interdisciplinary relationships to deliver holistic patient care.

References Mentioned:

• Bale, B., & Doneen, A. (2022). Beat the Heart Attack Gene: The Revolutionary Plan to Prevent Heart Disease, Stroke, and Diabetes.
• Epstein, R. M., et al. (2005). Patient-centered communication and diagnostic testing. Annals of Family Medicine, 3(5), 415-421.
• Gurenlian, J. R. (2022). Patient-centered care in dental hygiene. Journal of Dental Hygiene, 96(2), 121-127.
• Ha, J. F., & Longnecker, N. (2010). Doctor-patient communication: A review. Ochsner Journal, 10(1), 38-43.
• Ide, M., et al. (2016). Periodontitis and pregnancy outcomes. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 43(6), 524-530.
• Liccardo, D., et al. (2019). Periodontal disease and systemic inflammation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(6), 1414.
• Patel, N., et al. (2015). Real-time patient data and adherence. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 22(1), 74-80.
• Slack-Smith, L., et al. (2017). Interdisciplinary dental and medical collaboration. Australian Dental Journal, 62(1), 115-121.
• Slade, G. D., et al. (2020). Oral health and systemic disease links. Australian Dental Journal, 65(1), 58-64.
• van der Sluijs, E., et al. (2018). Biofilm disclosure and patient compliance. International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 16(3), 297-304.

Connect With Us:

• Listen wherever you get your podcasts
• If you enjoyed this content, please leave us a review
• Follow us on Instagram: @DisruptingDentistryPodcast
• Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.
• Share this episode with your dental colleagues!

Next Episode Teaser: Stay tuned for our next episode, where we explore how to prevent gingivitis by making it "sexy."

In this eye-opening episode, Melissa and Tabitha dive into one of the most critical yet overlooked connections in healthcare: the link between oral health and cardiovascular disease. With heart disease remaining the #1 cause of death worldwide, they explore how chronic inflammation—particularly from periodontal pathogens—can silently drive heart attacks and strokes.

 

They break down the Bale-Doneen Method, which challenges traditional cardiac screening by shifting the focus from cholesterol to inflammation and bacterial invasion as the true culprits of heart disease. They also discuss how salivary diagnostics can revolutionize dental care, helping professionals identify high-risk patients before a cardiac event occurs.

 

Key Takeaways Include:

 

✅ How oral pathogens like P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum trigger arterial plaque formation.

✅ These are the biomarkers every dental professional should be testing for.

✅ Why standard cholesterol tests miss half of at-risk patients.

✅ Practical steps to integrate salivary testing and physician collaboration into daily practice.

 

With Heart Health Month as the backdrop, this episode is a call to action for dental professionals worldwide: We’re not just treating gum disease—we’re saving lives.

💡 Have you seen the perio-heart connection in your practice? Let’s talk! Tag us, DM us, and join the conversation.

#OralSystemicHealth #HeartHealthMonth #SalivaryTesting #PreventiveDentistry #PerioAndHeartDisease

Disrupting Dentistry Podcast – Season 4, Episode 1: Relaunching After a Year of Change

Hosts: Tabitha Acret & Melissa Obrotka

Release Date: January 16, 2025

Show Notes:

After taking a year off to adapt, reflect, and grow, the Disrupting Dentistry Podcast is back with a brand-new season! In this exciting Season 4 premiere, hosts Tabitha Acret and Melissa Obrotka, two leading experts in the world of dental hygiene, share what they've been up to in 2024 and what they're looking forward to in 2025.

In this episode:

• Reflecting on 2024: Tabitha and Melissa share their personal and professional journey, discussing the changes they've navigated over the past year, how they've adapted to the evolving landscape of dental care and the lessons they've learned.
• Exciting Changes in Dentistry: In season four, this duo will explore the latest trends, innovations, and technologies shaping the future of dentistry, from new tools and techniques in dental hygiene to the evolving dental patient and so much more!

Looking Ahead to 2025: With fresh energy and renewed focus, Tabitha and Melissa discuss their big goals for 2025. They give a sneak peek into some of the upcoming episodes, expert interviews, and new initiatives, including the oral microbiome, periodontal endoscopes, fluoride and so much more!

We want to hear from you!

We also encourage you to share your thoughts, feedback, and ideas for future episodes. Your voice matters to us!

Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram @disruptingdentistrypodcast
• Visit our website for more episodes and resources: www.disruptingdentistry.libsyn.com

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast!

Welcome to the first episode of season 4!!!!

On this installment Tabitha talks to Tanya Deacon a dental hygienist in Newcastle Australia on her journey from thought to action. Here about how to take an idea and action it into a finished product!

Well done Tanya!