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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, Sade Morel, another dental hygienist who made the leap from traditional practice models, outlines her path to building an independent dental hygiene practice in California. 

Driven by the desire for autonomy and frustration with outdated business models limiting hygienists, Sade knew she wanted more from her career. After overhearing about a unique program that supports hygienists working outside of traditional dental offices, she knew exactly where she was headed and now supports others doing the same. 

Sade is passionate about making changes to how we practice. Whether you want to offer mobile services or open your own brick-and-mortar business, no details are spared. Together, we unpack financial considerations, business logistics such as insurance and equipment procurement, and what it takes to build your clientele. 

Despite the challenges that come with being a business owner, Sade shares an inspiring message: straying from traditional practice models is so rewardin,g and if she can do it, so can you!

About Sade Morel:

Sade Morel is a Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice in Southern California. She has been working as a dental hygienist for 10 years, with 6 of those years having practiced independently. Between offering mobile services and opening her own brick-and-mortar dental hygiene-only practice, she has found the autonomy and job satisfaction all hygienists deserve. 

Connect with Sade:

Instagram: @smilesbysade_rdhap

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, dental hygienist and entrepreneur Jazmine Chavez shares her insights into breaking off from the norm and opening up an independent practice. With changes to legislation and the future of our profession shifting as we speak, I wanted to bring on a guest who can shed light on the options that are out there for dental professionals. 

After working as a dental hygienist for many years, Jazmine decided to embark on a pioneer journey and open her own brick-and-mortar hygiene-only practice in a field traditionally dominated by offices with dentists. She shares with us why she chose to practice this way, how she did it step-by-step, and the pros and cons she is learning along the way. 

Jazmine is a wealth of knowledge and an open book for starting an independent practice. And if this is something you’ve considered doing yourself, you’ll be happy to know she is also a coach, helping hygienists and dental professionals who want to start their own company within dentistry.

About Jazmine Chavez:

Jazmine Chavez is a New Mexico native and single mom to two amazing sons. She has been in the dental profession for nearly 15 years, currently working as a dental hygienist and worked as an assistant before starting hygiene school. She is a clinical instructor at Pima Medical Institute, owner of Pearl House Dental Hygiene in New Mexico, and owner of The Dental HyGenius Dental Business Development Company.

Connect with Jazmine:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: Pearl House Dental Hygiene Studio

Instagram: The Dental Hygenius

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 returning guest Alyssa Aberle to take a closer look at the Dental Access Model Act, specifically looking at the Certification of Oral Preventive Assistants (OPA) section as introduced by the American Dental Association (ADA). We unpack what this is, what it means for the future of our profession, and what we, as practitioners, can do about it. 

Alyssa, a seasoned dental hygienist, has been at the forefront of discussions around legislation that could negatively impact dental professionals and our patients, advocating for change in the right direction. 

This episode is a must-listen if you want to better understand the current state of our industry and where our future is headed.

About Alyssa Aberle:

Alyssa Aberle is a Colorado dental hygienist with a deep understanding of our profession and a big dream for our future. Alyssa has spent her dental hygiene career working with several local nonprofit and community health organizations, including Kids In Need of Dentistry, Salud Family Health Centers, Colorado Orthodontic Foundation, STRIDE Community Health Center (formerly MCPN), and currently Deserving Dental. While working with these organizations, Alyssa pursued a Master’s in Business Administration to gain a deeper grasp on organizational management and leadership. Alyssa currently works in a mobile dental program serving homeless shelters and residential treatment facilities. Alyssa served as the Executive Director for the Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association for the past 8 years until recently moving into a volunteer position in the association. Alyssa is passionate about advocacy and advancing the profession of dental hygiene.

Connect with Alyssa:

Instagram

[email protected]

To watch on YouTube, click here

Links mentioned in this episode:

Straight Up With Steph Ep 22: How Internationally-Trained Dentists Could Impact U.S. Hygienists

Dental Access Model Act

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, Melissa Groves Azzaro and I are unpacking the intricate relationship between nutrition, exercise, and hormonal balance! She dives into conditions such as PCOS and perimenopause, as well as shedding light on some of the root causes of fatigue, acne, weight gain/ difficulty managing weight, and hair loss. 

As an integrative and functional women’s health dietitian, Melissa’s focus is finding the root cause of the conditions impacting us, not just slapping a generic bandaid on what she thinks will fix the problem. 

As it turns out, what we choose to put in our mouths goes beyond the impacts on our dental health. It affects our entire body and can be the root cause of many of the “common” concerns we, as women, face. 

Be sure to listen for the two supplements she recommends women take to maintain muscle mass, promote healthy skin and bones, and maintain brain health.

To watch on Youtube, click here

About Melissa:

Melissa Groves Azzaro, RDN, LD, CEO & Founder of The Hormone Dietitian® LLC, is an award-winning integrative dietitian who helps busy women with hormone imbalances, PCOS, and perimenopause manage hormonal symptoms and metabolic issues. She uses a functional medicine approach to identify and address the root causes of symptoms with a personalized nutrition, supplement, and lifestyle plan to balance hormones and optimize fertility. She works virtually with clients in the US in one-on-one and in group programs, is the creator of The PCOS Root Cause Roadmap™ and The Period Problems Root Cause Roadmap™, is the author of A Balanced Approach to PCOS, and is the host of the podcast Hormonally Yours with The Hormone Dietitian.

Connect with Melissa:

The Hormone Dietitian

Instagram

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 Dr. Laura Brenner, a dental career coach, to unpack something I get asked about often: how to make the shift to a career outside of the operatory. While I did this myself, I had a natural calling to ergonomics so the transition felt seamless. But this isn’t the case for everyone. After 10 years and a rollercoaster of emotions, Laura made the necessary leap from her dentistry job and now helps others do the same, making her the perfect person to bridge this topic with.  

So often I hear clinicians who have been practicing for awhile that all they know is clinical or they’re not going to find something that will give them the flexibility, hours, and pay that they are used to getting in clinical. Dr. Laura explains why this is simply not true. 

Together we uncover how to recognize if you’re burnt out or just ready for a career change, how skills learned on the job translate to nonclinical work, what it looks like to work with a coach on this career pivot and where to start looking for a career outside of the operatory. 

If you’re feeling like it’s time to make a career change, this episode is for you. Also, Laura’s program, Let’s Go Nonclinical starts February 7th, 2025!

About Dr. Laura Brenner: 

After dreaming of becoming a dentist her whole life, Dr. Laura Brenner learned that dentistry wasn’t a match for her. She practiced for 10 years before leaving clinical dentistry to become a blogger, a speaker, and a certified professional coach. After her blog post, “10 Reasons Your Dentist Probably Hates You Too,” went viral, she began connecting with dental professionals around the world who wanted more from their careers. This inspired her to create Lolabees Career Coaching to help dental professionals design their careers on their terms, so they can plan and create joyful, balanced lives.

Connect with Dr. Laura:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Let’s Go Nonclinical (Starts Feb. 7, 2025)

10 Reasons Your Dentist Probably Hates You Too [Blog]

To watch on YouTube, click here

Timestamps 

00:00 Introduction of Dr. Laura Brenner
03:54 How to recognize burnout
07:45 The perfectionism epidemic in dental professionals
11:53 Letting go of overresponsibility for your patients
17:46 Perspectives on making a career pivot
21:30 The importance of authenticity and career alignment
24:42 Guidance for career uncertainty
25:47 Overcoming career and life blocks
31:03 Combatting isolation through community
33:06 Addressing your mindset before making a pivot
35:59 Bridging the gaps in dental relationships

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by Teresa Power to explore how better sleep can transform overall health and well-being. Drawing on her experience with oral appliances and sleep education, Teresa shares actionable tips on improving sleep hygiene, recognizing sleep disorder signs, and optimizing rest with the right sleeping positions and bedding materials.

Sleep impacts every aspect of physical and mental health, yet common issues like poor rest or disorders are often overlooked. Teresa’s insights will empower dental professionals to help patients while providing valuable advice for anyone looking to enhance their own sleep quality.

Tune in for practical guidance to sleep better, feel better, and live better!

About Teresa:

Teresa is the founder of Sleep Better NYC and a thought leader in the sleep coaching space. She was introduced to the world of sleep medicine when working for a manufacturer of oral appliances, and she was instantly hooked on the idea of educating patients on sleep health and collaborating for multidisciplinary care.

Teresa went on to earn her board certification in clinical sleep health, and over the years, her expertise has made her a national speaker on topics ranging from sleep hygiene and basic sleep science to dental sleep medicine protocols and remote physiological monitoring (RPM) for obstructive sleep apnea patients.

 To watch on YouTube, click here 

Connect with Teresa:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

YouTube

Links Mentioned:

Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker

Timestamps 

00:00 Introduction of Teresa

06:04 Sleep apnea and insomnia are more common than we think.

10:24 How sleep impacts our physical and mental health. 

10:42 Snoring is common, even for women. 

18:29 Nasal breathing during sleep can prevent body misalignment. 

23:35 What to look for when shopping for bedding and pillows. 

25:42 Increase natural light exposure during the day, limiting it at night. 

29:45 How soon before bed should you limit phone usage? 

30:52 How stressing about sleep quality hinders yo

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, brain health expert and dental hygienist Anne Rice returns to dive deeper into brain health. This time, we tackle stress, depression, and loneliness—key factors often overlooked in cognitive health.

Anne shares how elevated cortisol from stress impacts the brain and offers mindfulness tips like yoga, meditation, and journaling to manage it. She also highlights the links between depression, Alzheimer’s risk, and the harmful effects of loneliness. Plus, she explains why multitasking does more harm than good.

With one brain to last a lifetime, Anne’s practical advice will help you stay sharp and protect your mental well-being.

About Anne Rice:

Anne has been a clinical dental hygienist for 35 years, is a speaker, writer, and consultant. She created Oral Systemic Seminars in 2017 and now devotes much of her time, focus and study primarily to dementia prevention. She is a preceptor for the Bale/Doneen method, a Certified Dementia Practitioner, and a Longevity Specialist with the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, where she has also developed a curriculum. Anne is a Fellow with The American Academy of Oral Systemic Health and on their 2024 advisory board. Anne also serves on Cloud Dentistry’s Empowering Women in Dentistry board and has a column for RDH magazine focusing on oral systemic health where she is also on their 2024 editorial advisory board.

Connect with Anne Rice:

Website
Instagram
LinkedIn

Previous episode with Anne:  Straight Up With Steph Ep 16: Brain Power: The Keys to Cognitive Health

To watch on YouTube, click here

Trigger Warning:
This episode contains a discussion about suicide, which some listeners may find distressing. If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that help is available. You are not alone.

In the United States, you can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support. For listeners outside the U.S., we encourage you to find a local crisis line or reach out to a trusted professional

Timestamps 

00:00 Introduction of Anne Rice

03:44 Nutrition’s impact on cortisol levels.

07:05 Telomeres' role in aging.

11:25 Why multi-tasking doesn’t work. 

16:59 Yoga enhances brain function and reduces inflammation.

21:50 How meditation transforms our brain structure. 

27:57 Severe depression and grey matter. 

35:02 Loneliness equals smoking's health risks.

38:43 Combatting lonliness through community. 

40:12 How stress impacts long-term brain health.

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, Hannah Hutson and I are unpacking the number one reason people avoid taking the first step to bettering their health– there is just too much overwhelming and conflicting information out there!

Hannah is a no-B.S. fat loss coach who, after healing her own relationship with food, became determined to help others do the same, helping clients reach their goal fat-to-muscle ratio in a sustainable way so they, too, can feel good in their bodies!

She breaks down the key difference between losing weight and losing fat, sustainable ways to tailor your eating habits to your goals, debunks myths about strength training, offers practical advice to stay on track (especially during the holidays), and so much more!

Whether you’re looking for ways to tweak your diet, optimize your strength training routine or simply seeking practical tips to live a healthier life, this episode is packed with actionable and sustainable tips. 

About Hannah:

Hannah Hutson is a functional fitness, balanced nutrition, and mindset coach. She empowers entrepreneur women to build wellness into their lives to level up their businesses. Hannah has gone through the process of building her own business from the ground up and knows how detrimental burnout can be for not only your health but your business, too. 

She knows that the key to success in one’s career is to make sure your health is at its peak. When your health is diminished, your ability to think becomes impeded, which will reflect as poor work in your business. The pressure from work can lead to chronic stress, which can affect your sleep, cause an imbalance in your hormones, spike your blood pressure, cause weight gain, mood swings, brain fog, relationship issues, and so much more. 

If you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of your business. Her mission is to teach women how to implement health-promoting behaviors and habits into their daily lives to help them recharge and be the best boss they can be.

Connect with Hannah:

Instagram
Website
Master Your Meals Nutrition Guide
StrongHER Together 12-Week Program

To watch on YouTube, click here

Timestamps

00:00 - Meet Hannah

05:06 - The most crucial step to losing fat

07:15 - The difference between bulking and toning your muscles. 

10:05 - Focus on long-term weight trends 

13:11 - How to plan and track your food. 

18:38 - Easy fat loss hack

23:55 - Tips For Navigating The Holidays

27:32 - Trading HIIT workouts for strength training.

34:00 -

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Tina, a dental hygienist, educator, and entrepreneur who has built an impressive career both in and out of the operatory.

We dive into her journey into teaching, the transition from classroom to online platforms, and how her clinical skills have translated into successful business ventures.

Tina shares her expertise in certifying dental hygienists in local anesthesia, her thoughts on assistants in Oregon administering local anesthesia, the boundaries she’s learned to set, and advice for aspiring educators.

Listen now to hear Tina’s inspiring story!

To watch on YouTube, click here

About Tina:

Tina Clarke RDH, MEd is the leading voice in anesthesia dental education. From head & neck anatomy, medical emergency management, and practical tips and tricks to getting anesthesia right every time, Tina employs adult learning principles, equipping her course attendees for success. 

A nationally published author, and founder of Teacher Tina RDH, she keeps her skills and knowledge current while continuing to serve the profession as a clinician, educator, trainer, and speaker. In addition, Tina is an approved provider by the Oregon and Georgia Board of Dentistry to provide education for the initial permit for local anesthesia. As well as an American Heart Association Certified BLS instructor. As an active member of the American Dental Hygienists Association, an approved CE provider by the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, Tina’s passionately serves her profession. 

She has been a practicing clinical dental hygienist for over 20 years and an educator for over 15. She received her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene in 2001 and her master’s degree in education in 2013. Her teaching, training, and presenting style is upbeat and fun, making even the most difficult topics a delight to learn.

Connect with Tina:
IG: TEACHER_TINA_RDH 
FB: TEACHER TINA RDH 
YOUTUBE: TEACHER TINA RDH

Timestamps:

00:00 - Tina's Journey Into Teaching
8:12 - Becoming a Teacher Online and On-Stage
15:19 - Certifying Hygienists in Local Anesthesia
19:34 - Clinical Skills Translate Into Business and Teaching
22:08 - Crucial Boundaries
25:09 - Overcoming Professional Setbacks
33:27 - Advice For Aspiring Educators
39:29 - Want A Job Outside The Op?
42:02 - The Evolving Role Of Dental Assistants
47:49 - Anesthesia Certification For Dental Assistants
55:50 - Connect With Tina

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In this episode, I chat with Sarah Thiel, the co-founder of CE Zoom, about her incredible journey building a successful CE tracking platform from scratch. 

Sarah shares how she started with zero business experience, tackled technical and entrepreneurial challenges, and navigated the unexpected opportunities and hurdles brought by the pandemic. 

We dive into her insights on networking, the joys and struggles of entrepreneurship, and her advice for aspiring business owners. 

Sarah also discusses CE Zoom’s impact on dental professionals and exciting plans for the platform’s future. 

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a dreamer, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of building a business, this episode is packed with insights, lessons, and a dose of motivation.

About Sarah:

Sarah Thiel began her journey in the dental field in 2000 as a dental assistant and advanced her expertise by graduating from dental hygiene school in 2007. She practiced clinical dental hygiene for a decade before retiring in 2017 to focus on her entrepreneurial pursuits. In 2014, Sarah co-founded CE Zoom with her business partner Katrinna Jackson, envisioning a streamlined solution for continuing education (CE) management. Under Sarah’s leadership, CE Zoom has grown into an essential platform that navigates the complex and varied CE requirements across all 50 U.S. states, assisting licensed professionals in dentistry and beyond.

Throughout her career, Sarah has held numerous leadership roles, including serving on the New Mexico Dental Hygiene Committee (a division of the NM Dental Board), examining for CRDTS and WREB, and acting as President Elect for the NM Dental Hygiene Association. Her dedication to understanding and simplifying the compliance landscape has been a cornerstone of CE Zoom’s success.

In January 2024, CE Zoom expanded its services, bringing its expertise to mortgage brokers, realtors, civil engineers, attorneys, and more, making it a trusted resource across diverse industries. Outside of work, Sarah is a devoted mother to three teenagers and a dog that acts like one of them, keeping life full of energy and humor.

Connect with Sarah:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Website

To watch on YouTube, click here

Timestamps:
00:00 - Creating CE Zoom With Zero Business Experience
10:35 - Building The Platform: Technical Challenges
14:59 - Raising Awareness of Ce Zoom: The Power Of Networking
19:33 - The Effect Of Covid Lockdown On CE Zoom
23:39 - What CE Zoom Offers Professionals
26:17 - Navigating Challenges In Entrepreneurship
31:06 - The Joys Of Flexibility As A Business Owner
35:27 - Be Careful Who You Take Advice From
38:33 - When Selling CE Zoom Turned Disastrous
45:30 - Advice For Aspiring Entrepreneurs & Gender Impacts
48:43 - Innovations and Future Plans

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