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Ever wonder how your tongue and facial muscles impact your breathing, sleep, and even posture? 

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sat down with Kimmie, a Denver-based dental hygienist and myofunctional therapist, to talk about how myofunctional therapy helps both kids and adults improve tongue posture, nasal breathing, and overall health.

We dive into signs of dysfunction, from mouth breathing to sleep apnea and TMJ pain, plus simple exercises like tongue pops and nasal hygiene that can make a big difference.

Kimmie also shares her journey building a practice and mentoring others in this fast-growing field. If you’re curious about better sleep, breathing, and facial function, this episode is for you!

Click here to watch on YouTube

About Kimmie

Connect with Kimmie:

Instagram

Facebook

Website

Google Form for (free) Myo Community Study Club

Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. 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.  

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with biological dental hygienist Barbara Tritz about the mindset behind holistic dental care. 

We dive into fluoride toxicity, root causes of dental disease, and how oral health connects to the whole body. Barbara also shares tools like nano hydroxyapatite, ozone therapy, and phase contrast microscopes—plus her passion for empowering burned-out hygienists to take a whole-body approach.

About Barbara

Connect with Barbara:

Email: [email protected]

Blog
Facebook
LinkedIn

To watch on YouTube, click here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. 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.  

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by An Chih to dive into the world of pediatric hygiene. 

Together, we take a candid look at the joys, challenges, and special skills needed to successfully care for kids. An Chih also shares her unique journey into pediatric dentistry, describes what a typical day looks like in a pediatric office, and clears up misconceptions about what working with kids truly involves. An Chih also offers advice for hygienists thinking about moving into pediatrics and shares practical tips for building rapport and trust with young patients.

About An Chih

Connect with An Chih:

Personal Instagram

Asian American Dental Hygienists Instagram

Email: [email protected]

To watch on YouTube, click here!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. 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. 

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by returning guest and online dental educator Whitney, also known as Teeth Talk Girl, to discuss the spread of dental health misinformation on social media. 

Together, Whitney and I dive into all the “natural” dental trends and how we can separate dental fact from fiction. We play a rapid-fire round debunking common dental myths, discuss the science behind fluoride and dental x-rays, and talk through ways clinicians can compassionately communicate evidence-based recommendations to patients without shaming them. 

About Whitney

Connect with Whitney:

Website

YouTube

Instagram

To watch on YouTube, click here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. 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.  

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sat down with Erin and Lancette, the President and President-Elect of American Dental Hygienists' Association’s (ADHA), as we talk about their ongoing initiatives, including their drive for license portability and their efforts to update standards of practice to include new technologies and airway assessments. We delve into the controversial Nevada bill, the importance of advocacy, and what “autonomy” truly means for our profession. 

This episode gets honest about membership dollars, how the ADHA structures their efforts at the state and national levels, and why unity and legislative engagement are more critical than ever. 

About Erin

About Lancette

Autonomy webinars:

ADHA Empowering Independence: A Journey to Professional Autonomy

ADHA From Provider to Change-Maker: The Autonomy Evolution

Podcast:

ADHA Podcast Safety & Standards Under Fire: ADHA and Nevada RDHs Rise to Legislative Defense (Ep 162)

Reports:

ADHA Workforce Growth Initiatives – April 2025

Dental Workforce Shortages: Data to Navigate Today’s Labor Market

Innovative Workforce Models

To watch on YouTube, click here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. 

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by Kim McGuire to discuss case acceptance, a topic that every dental professional faces. We explore the challenges and solutions surrounding why patients say “no” to needed treatment, how to move past the objections, and truly connect with your patients.

Kim shares actionable insights into treating patients as individuals, communicating value, and elevating trust through emotional intelligence, curiosity, and teamwork. We break down common mistakes in presenting treatment and dive into practical tips for leveraging technology such as intraoral photos, digital scans, and payment options to increase acceptance. 

This episode highlights that real growth in case acceptance comes from connecting with patients on an emotional level and communicating with authenticity, empathy, and consistency.

About Kim

Connect with Kim:

LinkedIn

To watch on YouTube, click here!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. 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.

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I get so many questions about Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT), and truthfully, I don’t know as much about it as I would like to. That’s why, in this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I'm joined by Kevin Ohashi Lopez to uncover what GBT is, how it differs from traditional dental hygiene, and why it might make more sense for both patients and clinicians.

Kevin walks us through the GBT protocol step-by-step, explaining the equipment needed (and why not all air polishers are created equal), how treatment flow completely shifts, and what sets GBT apart in its focus on minimally invasive care. Kevin also shares how the use of GBT impacts patient outcomes, improves ergonomics for clinicians, and allows for smarter, not harder, workdays. We also dig into practical matters—what to say to patients when your protocols change, how to handle concerns about equipment investment, and strategies for practice owners who are thinking about adding GBT to their hygiene departments.

Beyond the protocol and equipment, we chat about patient education, how GBT can increase case acceptance, and tackle the common misconceptions that keep many clinicians stuck in their old ways. Conversations like this remind us that as hygienists, we’re not just cleaning teeth, we’re providing essential, evidence-based healthcare, and investing in the evolution of our profession.

About Kevin Lopez

Connect with Kevin:

Instagram

To watch on YouTube, click here!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. 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.  

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To connect with me:

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, Dr. Brett Kessler, president of the American Dental Association, returns to the podcast to dive headfirst into a conversation about the complex and contentious state of our industry. Our goal today was to clear up common misconceptions, answer pressing questions, and open up an honest, balanced dialogue about the future of our profession. 

Dr. Kessler sheds light on hot-button issues affecting dentistry, like the national hygienist shortage, shifting practice models, and controversial initiatives aimed at expanding the hygiene workforce. He also shares his vision for the future of dentistry.

Lastly, we dive into everything from the ongoing fight surrounding fluoride, the critical need for improved insurance reimbursement, and the changing relationship between the ADA and ADHA. 

About Dr. Brett Kessler

Connect with Dr. Brett Kessler:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram

Links Mentioned In This Episode:

Ep 15: Wellness, Leadership, and Recovery: With ADA President-Elect Dr. Brett Kessler

Ep 51: The Oral Preventive Assistant Debate: What Dental Assistants Actually Want

Watch on YouTube!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. 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.  

📸Click below for photo assessments (use code PHOTO at checkout to save $20)

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Dr. Tony Stefanou for a wide-ranging and candid conversation about the future of dentistry. Our industry is rapidly evolving, and dentistry as we know it is changing by the day. Dr. Tony brings a unique perspective, combining years of clinical experience with deep involvement on the business side of dentistry, which makes him the perfect guest to unpack some of the major changes happening within our profession right now. 

Together, we tackle a broad range of topics, including the future of private practice vs. DSO affiliation, what really happens when a practice is acquired, and why a healthy hygiene department is so crucial not only for patient care but for practice valuation and transition. 

We also discuss our opinions on the controversial Oral Preventive Assistant (OPA) initiative, the importance of moving toward fee-for-service models, signals of a thriving hygiene department, and what it takes for clinicians to venture beyond the operatory. 

About Dr. Tony

Connect with Dr. Tony:

Connect the Dents

Instagram

Links Mentioned: 

Ep 47: The True Cost of Dental Insurance and Why It's Time for Reform

Ep 35: How ADA’s Dental Access Model Act Will Impact Dentistry

Ep 51: The Oral Preventive Assistant Debate: What Dental Assistants Actually Want

To watch on YouTube, click here!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. 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.  

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I am joined by Kevin Henry, a longtime advocate, speaker, and journalist for dental assistants, as we break down the new role being introduced in dentistry, the OPA (Oral Preventive Assistant). Together, we have a real and honest conversation about what this new position means for dental assistants, why it was created, and the real impact it could have on dental teams everywhere. 

Kevin and I break down not only the basics of what the OPA role is, but also how this position is intended to help with the workforce shortage of hygienists. We unpack how dental assistants truly feel about the OPA role and talk candidly about the lack of a strong national voice for assistants, the varied responses within that community, and the possible legal and financial gaps still unresolved when OPAs start to become the norm.

We discuss practical tips for assistants to advocate for themselves, the importance of communication among team members, and how both hygienists and assistants often share more struggles in common than they realize. 

At the end of the day, the message is clear: dental assistants are the backbone of our practices, and this new era in dentistry needs their voices and experiences front and center. This conversation is all about coming together as a profession because real change will only happen when every member of the dental team is valued and heard.

About Kevin: 

With more than 20 years in the dental publishing industry, Kevin Henry is the former group editorial director for Dental Products Report and managing editor for Dental Economics. Currently, he is the editor-in-chief for DrBicuspid.com. He has spoken to dental assistants throughout the world, in person and through the Dental Assistant Nation podcast series, reminding them of the important role they play every day in their practice. He is also certified as a DiSC trainer, helping dental practices learn how to understand each other better through personality assessments and training.

Connect with Kevin:

Website | Kevin Speaks Dental 

Instagram @DentalAssistantNation

Website| Dr. Bicuspid

Dental Assistant Nation [Apple Podcasts]

Dental Assistant Nation [Spotify]

Links Mentioned in this Episode: 

Ep 35: How ADA’s Dental Access Model Act Will Impact Dentistry

To watch on YouTube, click here!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainme

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