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! 

We enjoyed chatting with Dr. Amanda Phoon Nguyen, an Oral Medicine Specialist, as she shared her clinical expertise in Burning Mouth Syndrome.  

Here are some key takeaways:

• Oral Burning related to Burning Mouth Syndrome occurs from nerve damage to the small fibers of the tongue and also encompasses brain changes - trigeminal neuropathy.  
• The exact cause of burning mouth syndrome is unknown; in this episode, Dr. Amanda reviews the common causes, such as nerve damage, hormonal changes, psychological factors, and nutritional deficiencies.
• Dr. Amadana guides RDH/OHTs on assessing a patient reporting burning mouth syndrome, what topical agents to prescribe, and when to refer to a specialist.  

Go to products:

• Oral Seven 
• Xylimelts 

Want more from Dr. Amanda? Contact her here: 

• Instagram: @oralmedicineoralpathology 
• Website:  A Spoonful of Oral Medicine 

Like this episode?  Please subscribe to our show and leave us a review!

In this episode, we chat with Joseph Hanna, the co-creator of Bumbl Co Toothpaste. 

Joseph shared how he and his wife went on this journey to bridge the gap he witnessed in children's toothpaste.  Joseph walked us through how they worked to understand the market and identify a gap their product filled.  

Joseph shares everything from idea to concept to formulation, production, branding, packing, and distribution. You want to listen in just for his inspiration about this journey!  

Naturally Flavoured Kids Toothpaste - Bumbl Co Oral Care

Instagram: Bumbl Co (@bumblco) • Instagram photos and videos