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!

In true Disrupting Dentistry fashion, we are kicking off 2024 with an episode that tackles some provocative issues in dentistry head-on with repeat guest Kevin Oshani Lopez.  

In this episode, Melissa and Kevin discuss some trending circumstances that US dental professionals face.  One particular topic they tackle is the RDH shortage and how the demand has driven up salaries.  For many, this seems like a good thing, but Mel and Kevs outline how this may negatively impact the profession over time...

Dental Post Salary Survey Report 

Follow Kevin @kevstalksteeth 

In this installment we continue with our chat on periodontal treatment planning. Mel and Tab talk about the importance of a diagnosis and prognosis for patients and, as per usual, some other random converstations and and giggles along the way 

This is our last episode for 2023, and we look forward to catching up again in 2024!

On this installment we talk to founder Rosi of About 28 functional toothpaste. Rosi is an OHT in QLD and trying to find an effective natural toothpaste was a challange so she made one!! 

Have a listen and hear all about the process idea to reality !

about28

In honor of Dental Hygiene Appreciation Month, this Host Chat episode is on Tabitha and Melissa's tackle standard of care in periodontal disease. 

During this episode, we explore periodontal disease, assessments, and diagnosis and provide real-world strategies to implement in your operatory or surgery.  Listen in as they discuss establishing the standard of care for periodontal disease treatment in your practice and calibrating within your team.  Exploring evidence-based treatment protocols and patient education. 

Stay tuned for the next part of this standard of care in periodontal disease series. 

Please subscribe and leave a review!  Keep Disrupting! 

This episode discusses the connection between dental hygiene and heart health and how critical the dental hygienist's role is in risk assessment.  

Melissa chats with our guest, Tiffany Dillion, as she shares her heartfelt story on why she became an EMT in addition to a Dental Hygienist. Tiffany will inspire you to re-calibrate with screenings we are taught to perform and the link between periodontal disease and heart health. Tiffany shares how critical it is to implement life-saving screenings and how RDH can help prevent heart attacks through proper medical intake, assessments, oral care patient education, and real-world strategies to elevate the care we provide our patients.

Tiffany's company, Scaling Up Innovations, offers BLS courses for dental practices.  

Get to know Tiffany: @scalingupinnovations

This episode will have you running to purchase a BP cuff and re-integrate this screening into your workflow.  

AHA Blood Pressure Categories:  HBP-rainbow-chart-English.pdf (heart.org)

Miranda Beeson is BACK for Part Two:  What is Trending in Dental Hygiene.  In this episode, Melissa and Miranda discuss the high salary demands from the ongoing workforce shortage and how that impacts the profession.   The high hourly rate demands a high standard of care.  

There has been a shift in mindset regarding dental hygiene with the robust scientific evidence of inflammation and the oral microbiome.  People are realizing that it's not just about having a white, pretty smile; oral health is about maintaining overall health.  

Melissa and Miranda discuss how dental hygienists are called to begin to emphasize the importance of expanding their knowledge base beyond the conventional methodology in and out of the chair for our patients.  

It's an exciting time for dental hygiene as people become more educated and proactive about their oral health!  This episode will leave you inspired to raise the bar in your OP!