Hygiene Elevated Conversations and Innovations

In this episode of Hygiene Elevated: Conversations & Innovations, host Olivia brings on the amazing Karese Laguerre, RDH, OM, MAS to share her not-so-traditional journey into dental hygiene and how she carved her path as an entrepreneur and speaker. They dive into the world of myofunctional therapy—why it’s a game-changer for kids with airway issues, how it blends beautifully with dental hygiene, and the simple ways you can spot oral dysfunctions in everyday practice.

Karese also dishes out tips for keeping patients motivated, growing professionally, and even pitching courses that wow. 🎤The episode wraps with a fun chat on mouth taping (yes, mouth taping!) and why addressing root causes is the secret to healthier, happier patients.

In this episode of Hygiene Elevated: Conversations & Innovations, host Olivia brings on the amazing Karese Laguerre, RDH, OM, MAS to share her not-so-traditional journey into dental hygiene and how she carved her path as an entrepreneur and speaker. 🌟 They dive into the world of myofunctional therapy—why it’s a game-changer for kids with airway issues, how it blends beautifully with dental hygiene, and the simple ways you can spot oral dysfunctions in everyday practice.

Karese also dishes out tips for keeping patients motivated, growing professionally, and even pitching courses that wow. 🎤✨ The episode wraps with a fun chat on mouth taping (yes, mouth taping!) and why addressing root causes is the secret to healthier, happier patients.

The podcast episode features an interview with Amanda Hale, who shares her journey from an uninspired college student to a passionate dental hygienist. Amanda discusses her unexpected entry into dental hygiene, her challenging early experiences, and her eventual relocation to Utah during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she met Joffree. She describes her involvement with Hygiene Elevated, various professional growth opportunities, and her development of a passion for holistic dental hygiene. Amanda talks about her shift into functional and biological health approaches, her participation in educational programs, and her new podcast venture focusing on these areas. The conversation highlights Amanda's growth, her commitment to community impact, and her advice for other dental hygienists. The episode concludes with reflections on mentorship, support, and personal growth within the professional community.

In this podcast episode of 'Hygiene Elevated: Conversations and Innovations,' Heather Wong shares her journey in dental hygiene, starting from her high school nickname 'Smiley' to becoming a corporate educator at Tepe. Heather discusses her educational path, including attending Indiana University and obtaining her master's degree while teaching at Pasadena Community College. She recounts the extensive clinical work she did, which led to burnout and a shift towards teaching and corporate roles. Heather emphasizes the importance of understanding and connecting with patients, creating boundaries, and continuous learning. She reflects on her personal experiences and challenges, offering insights into resilience, self-awareness, and the value of varied roles in the dental profession. Heather concludes by discussing the diverse opportunities in corporate dental hygiene and encourages listeners to reach out with questions about such roles.

Instagram: Toothwisehygienist

In this conversation between the hosts of 'Hygiene Elevated' and Dr. Ingo Mahn, the discussion revolves around Dr. Mahn's professional journey in dentistry with a special focus on airway treatment and holistic approaches in dental care. Dr. Mahn shares his background, his shift from traditional to holistic dentistry, and his keen interest in airway health, influenced by a transformative experience at a conference. He elaborates on the significance of addressing root causes rather than symptoms, particularly sleep and breathing issues, through innovative techniques and epigenetic appliances like the homeoblock. The conversation also highlights the crucial role of hygienists in identifying early signs of airway problems and educating patients about the connection between oral and overall health. Additionally, Dr. Mahn discusses myofunctional therapy and its impact on airway health, as well as the importance of nutrition, proper dental development from birth, and continuous learning in the field of dentistry.

Instagram: Dringomahn

In this episode of Hygiene Elevated Conversations and Innovations, host Amanda interviews Rachel Hicks, also known as Mentor Rach on Instagram, about the intricacies of teeth whitening. Rachel shares her journey from being a dental assistant in Canada to opening her own teeth whitening studio. She explains the business models of B2C and B2B, the differences between hydrogen and carbamide peroxide, and the importance of using a light source for effective whitening. Rachel also discusses market trends, economic factors, and the emotional triggers that drive consumers towards teeth whitening. She provides practical advice for dental professionals considering launching their own whitening businesses, emphasizing the importance of budgeting and marketing. The episode is a deep dive into the science, business, and emotional aspects of teeth whitening in the dental industry.

In this episode of the Hygiene Elevated Podcast: Conversations and Innovations, we’re welcoming back the brilliant and always inspiring India Chance — dental hygienist, infection control guru, and advocate for safer, smarter practices. India takes us on a journey through her path into dental hygiene and how she became a leading voice in infection control and patient safety.

We dive into all things PPE — from why quality gear matters (hello, comfort and protection!) to the surprising allergens and ergonomic issues many clinicians face. India drops some serious wisdom on how hygienists can confidently advocate for better PPE in their offices and stay up-to-date on the latest infection control guidelines. Oh — and she shares a sneak peek at her upcoming app designed to deliver dental safety resources right to your fingertips!

High five to Ansell for supporting this episode! They’re creating some seriously impressive products that protect and empower dental pros everywhere. We see you, Ansell. 👏🧤

Don’t miss this one — it’s packed with tips, tools, and inspiration to help you stay safe, strong, and unstoppable in the operatory.

In this episode of the Hygiene Elevated Conversations and Innovations podcast, host Joffree Bunleang interviews Malia Lewis, a clinical dental hygienist with over 16 years of experience. They discuss the use of Clear Defense Silver Fluoride, a product designed specifically for treating dental hypersensitivity in adults. Malia shares her journey into dental hygiene, influenced by her dentist father, and expresses her passion for patient care and ongoing education. The conversation highlights the effectiveness of nano silver fluoride in treating sensitivity and arresting decay, the application process, and the product’s non-staining property compared to traditional silver fluoride treatments. They also touch on integrating the product into practice, educating patients, and the importance of continuous learning and collaboration within the dental community. Young® ClearDefense™ Silver Fluoride is indicated for the treatment of dental hypersensitivity in adults. The effectiveness of this device has not been established for use as a prophylactic caries treatment in any age group, a caries treatment in any age group, or for patients 21 years of age or under. This device is only intended to be used as a treatment for dental hypersensitivity in adult patients over the age of 21.Any content contained here is not an endorsement of Young ClearDefense Silver Fluoride, and any of the clinical uses considered off-label are the express opinion of the clinician.

In this episode of Hygiene Elevated Conversations and Innovations, hosts Amanda and Olivia speak with Dannia Chavis about her journey into dental hygiene, starting from her childhood fascination with teeth to her current career. Dannia shares her unexpected path into the field, the importance of addressing periodontal issues in practice, and her non-negotiables when choosing an employer. She also discusses the value of strong training programs, the impact of financial literacy, and the benefits of working in Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). Dannia reveals her future plans, including pursuing further education and possible career shifts away from clinical work. The conversation also touches on Dannia's active Instagram presence, where she supports and advises dental hygiene students. Overall, Dannia emphasizes the significance of passion, proper financial management, and continuous self-advocacy in building a successful and fulfilling career in dental hygiene.

Episode Description:

In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Hicks, DA II, a trailblazer in the dental industry who made history by launching the first teeth whitening-only commercial storefront in Eastern Canada. Starting her career in 2015, Rachel's passion led her to establish U Whitening, a pioneering studio offering advanced teeth whitening services.

Beyond her studio's success, Rachel expanded her expertise by creating Fern Whitening Supplies, one of North America's fastest-growing teeth whitening supply companies. She also hosts the "Whitening Wednesday" podcast, where she shares insights and mentors others in the industry.

Join us as Rachel shares her inspiring journey from dental assistant to industry leader, discussing the challenges and triumphs of transforming the teeth whitening landscape in Canada.

Connect with Rachel:

• Instagram: @mentorrach
• Fern Whitening Supplies
• Whitening Wednesday Podcast

Tune in to hear Rachel's story and gain insights into the evolving world of teeth whitening!