In this episode of Spit It Out, host Meg interviews Kevin, a registered dental hygienist, who shares his journey into the field of dental hygiene, including his transition from physical therapy, his experiences in dental hygiene education, and the importance of self-care. Kevin discusses the unique role of RDHAP in California, the impact of athleticism on his work ethic, and the significance of collaboration between hygienists and dentists. He also emphasizes the need for greater autonomy in the profession and shares insights on being a male hygienist in a predominantly female field. The conversation concludes with Kevin's goals for the future and his commitment to advocating for oral health.

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- Kevin transitioned from physical therapy to dental hygiene after realizing the long educational commitment required for PT.

- He chose a community college for dental hygiene due to its affordability and competitive program.

- The RDHAP role allows hygienists to operate independently in underserved areas, increasing their earning potential.

- Kevin's athletic background in basketball has shaped his work ethic and dedication in dental hygiene.

- Effective communication and trust between hygienists and dentists enhance patient care.

- Kevin aims to advocate for the importance of oral health in overall health and reduce dental anxiety for patients.

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Meg. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes. 

In this episode, Meg shares her personal journey of navigating a long-distance relationship while attending dental hygiene school. She discusses the challenges, mental health struggles, and the importance of support systems during this time. Meg emphasizes the need for intimacy, communication, and the lessons learned from both romantic and platonic relationships. She offers advice on maintaining connections and recognizing when a relationship may not be serving one's best interests.

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• Long-distance relationships can be rewarding despite challenges.
• Communication is key in maintaining intimacy across distances.
• Support systems are crucial during tough times.
• Friendship breakups can be as hard as romantic ones.
• It's important to prioritize mental health and self-care.

WE ARE NOT REALLY STRANGERS

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Meg. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes. 

Meg and Shawn explore Shawn's journey into dental hygiene, discussing his motivations, experiences in the workplace, and the current challenges facing the profession, including the dental hygiene shortage. They delve into effective communication with patients, particularly regarding periodontal disease, and the impact of social media on patient expectations and professional conduct. Shawn shares insights on building confidence as a new hygienist, the importance of patient education about fluoride, and his aspirations for further education and content creation in the dental field.

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- Shawn's passion for dental hygiene began with a fascination for removing calculus.

- Effective communication about periodontal disease is crucial for patient understanding.

- Building confidence in discussing health issues with patients takes practice and mentorship.

- Social media can be a double-edged sword for dental professionals.

- Educating patients about fluoride is essential in combating misinformation.

- Support from experienced colleagues can significantly boost a new hygienist's confidence.

"Take it one day at a time, nobody's perfect."

"You can get bad veneers, and it's so common."

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Shawn's Instagram

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Meg. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes. 

Happy Holidays! This mini-episode focuses on sharing some of my favorite things from 2025: from thrifting and film photography to a few dental hygiene brands I have fallen in love with.

Products mentioned:

Vanilla Cashmere Lotion EOS

Vanilla Cashmere Lip Butter EOS

COCO FLOSS Bundle

Alani Mini Cans

Diet Coke

Sola Bagels

Find more of my favorite things HERE

Happy Holidays! See you in my next episode

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Meg. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes. 

Hello, and welcome back to another episode of Spit it Out with Meg!

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This episode is something I wish I had after graduating from college. Having money to spend after starting your career is SO incredibly rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming. I hope this episode helps you start somewhere small with paying off loans, investing, or saving.

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Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Meg. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes. 

Financial Disclaimer

The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor, accountant, or attorney before making any financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment values can fluctuate, and you may lose some or all of your principal. I am not a licensed financial professional.

From Utah ➜ UNC ➜ Colorado 🏔️🦷

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In this episode, my friend @toothdocjack shares his journey to becoming a pediatric dentist — including how, even through hardship and loss, he stayed committed to his passion and continued learning to achieve his dreams.

In this episode, we discuss:

• ​Jack's experience with dental school in 2020
• ​The rising cost of dental school and its overall impact on dentistry
• ​Student debt and scholarships
• ​Lack of clinic time in dental school
• ​The decision to become a pediatric dentist
• ​Pediatric dental tips for patients with children

🎧 Tune in & enjoy this beautiful story of purpose, perseverance, and choosing to keep moving forward.

Find Jack @ToothDocJack on Instagram

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MEG15 for 15% off ⁠⁠Flaus⁠⁠ products 

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Meg. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes. All scenarios discussed are anonymized and are not intended to represent any specific individual, provider, or dental office.

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Thanks for joining me this morning! Today, we are going to discuss building confidence in the OP when it comes to ADA codes, dental hygiene diagnosis, and co-diagnosing with a dentist.

Telling a patient they have gingivitis or periodontitis is a struggle many face right after graduating. It can also be tough to figure out a patient's dental hygiene diagnosis quickly right after graduating--and that's 100% OKAY!!

I share my personal experiences as a new graduate and feeling unsure of myself, working with other hygienists, and offer my advice for anyone who may need it.

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Meg. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes. All scenarios discussed are anonymized and are not intended to represent any specific individual, provider, or dental office.

Join Meg as she chats with the amazing Anistinn — better known as @floss.fairy.anistinn — about her journey from vlogging to becoming one of the dental hygiene industry’s favorite educational creators.

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In this episode, we discuss:

• ​How Anistinn finds creative ways to connect with patients
• ​Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone
• ​How to grow both online and in the operatory
• ​Balancing school, social media, and professional growth

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MEG15 for 15% off ⁠⁠Flaus⁠⁠ products 

MEG20 for $20 off ProTeethGuard⁠ products

⁠10% off Uniform Advantage Scrubs ⁠

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Meg. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes. All scenarios discussed are anonymized and are not intended to represent any specific individual, provider, or dental office.

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🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Martha May, RDH—a full-time temp hygienist and the entrepreneur behind Honey May Collection—to dive into the real-world highs and lows of temping.

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Martha shares why she chose temping over a permanent role, how she navigates the tricky W2 vs 1099 debate, and the systems that keep her organized while bouncing between different offices. She opens up about the freedom and flexibility she loves, the challenges of adapting to new teams, and even how she handles walking into an office that doesn’t meet her standards of care.

We also chat about the unexpected lessons she’s picked up from temping, how she balances running a business with clinical life, and her best advice for hygienists considering temping for the first time.

Whether you’re curious about making the leap into temping or just looking for inspiration from someone carving their own path in dentistry and beyond, this episode is packed with insight and encouragement.

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MEG15 for 15% off ⁠⁠Flaus⁠⁠ products 

MEG20 for $20 off ProTeethGuard⁠ products

⁠10% off Uniform Advantage Scrubs ⁠

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Meg. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes. All scenarios discussed are anonymized and are not intended to represent any specific individual, provider, or dental office.

In this solo episode, I open up about the heaviness we’ve all been feeling with everything happening in the world, and how I’ve been navigating it personally and professionally. I also share some updates on what I’ve been up to lately and give you a sneak peek into the exciting changes coming to the podcast—including adding guest interviews! This is a candid, heart-to-heart conversation to catch you up and connect on a deeper level.

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E-mail me ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

MEG15 for 15% off ⁠⁠Flaus⁠⁠ products 

MEG20 for $20 off ProTeethGuard⁠ products

⁠10% off Uniform Advantage Scrubs ⁠

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Meg. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes. All scenarios discussed are anonymized and are not intended to represent any specific individual, provider, or dental office.