Straight Up With Steph

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
39:41 Introducing Laura’s career course starting February 7th 

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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 your rest. 

35:58 Free downloads 

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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

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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 - Working with Hannah

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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 for CE Zoom
54:20 - Connect With Sarah

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 In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, we dive into the inspiring journey of Janet, a trailblazing dental hygienist who combined her passion for holistic health and mobile care to create a thriving practice.

Janet shares her background in dentistry, how she built her company from the ground up, and the unique services she offers to patients. She also provides insights on elevating dental hygiene practices, the challenges of mobile care, and the importance of allowing hygienists more time with patients.

Whether you're curious about holistic care or thinking about starting your own mobile practice, this episode is packed with valuable advice.

About Janet:

Janet Madrid has dedicated 45 years to serving her patients in the field of dentistry. Her career in dentistry started as an expanded functions dental assistant and she has been a practicing clinical hygienist for 24 years. She has been practicing as a direct access independent mobile dental hygienist since 2020.

Her business Hope for Health operates out of a custom built Mercedes Sprinter van which she has outfitted as a full scale dental suite. Janet is passionate about whole health and medical dental integration, sharing her extensive knowledge gained through experience and study. Her life mission is to educate, equip and empower her family, patients and the general public on how oral health impacts overall health and what can be done about it.

She is a lifelong learner and spends much of her time attending various association conferences to continue to learn how to support her patients in optimizing their health.

Connect with Janet:
Phone: (720) 688-8028
Email: [email protected]
Facebook Hope For Health

To watch on YouTube, click here

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction & Background In Dentistry
9:03 - Her Passion On Holistic Health
12:39 - How She Created Her Company
17:54 - The Unique Services She Offers Patients
25:46 - Spreading The Word About Overall Health
29:59 - How To Elevate Dental Hygiene Practice
32:02 - An Appointment In A Mobile Practice
47:02 - Hygienists Need To Be Allowed More Time
50:34 - Advice For Starting Mobile Care
56:58 - Connect With Janet

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, we dive into the often-overlooked topic of menopause and its impact on women's health, especially for those balancing demanding careers like dentistry.

I share my personal experience navigating menopause and offer insights into recognizing perimenopause symptoms, managing hormonal changes, and understanding treatment options like hormone replacement therapy.

We also cover topics like genitourinary health, pelvic floor health, and breaking the stigma around women's health.

Tune in to empower yourself with knowledge and proactive steps to thrive during this transition!

About Shirley:

Shirley Weir introduces herself as a "menopause chick" and is here to remind all of us: we deserve to feel amazing! This is a significant pivot from how most of the world thinks about menopause, and Shirley is leading this important paradigm shift.

She is 57 years old, reached menopause at 49, and for the last 12 years has been educating, advocating, and answering questions via MenopauseChicks.com and its popular private online community. Shirley is a three-time author, a TedX speaker, a media spokesperson, and advocates for more midlife health education in workplaces, such as Vichy Laboratoires, Canadian Tire, and The London Stock Exchange.

She believes that if we truly want to change the future of women's health, we must change how we talk about it. Shirley's vision is for everyone to have access to evidence-based health information in order to navigate perimenopause-to-postmenopause with confidence and ease! And her goal today is for you to walk away thinking, "Hmm... I never thought about menopause that way before!”

Connect with Shirley:
Menopause Community
Instagram: @MenopauseChicks

To watch on YouTube, click here

Timestamps

00:00 - My Personal Experience With Menopause
7:33 - Menopause Defined
14:20 - Signs You're In Perimenopause
17:19 - What To Do Once Symptoms Start
20:56 - A Note On Hormone Therapy
24:47 - Bloodwork on Iron & Thyroid
26:33 - What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
29:40 - Our Genitourinary Health
33:28 - Improve Pelvic Floor Health
35:51 - Shame Around Women's Health
40:08 - The Role Of Estrogen In Our Bodies
43:10 - Alcohol Recommendations
45:19 - Testosterone Therapy For Women
48:51 - What Can We Do Proactively?
52:46 - Where To Learn More

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, we dive into the journey of a hygienist turned entrepreneur who’s making waves with her mobile dental business. Shelley shares her favorite parts of being a dental hygienist, the ins and outs of launching a mobile practice, and how she navigates patient care challenges.

We also explore the importance of oral health advocacy in care facilities, collaboration for restorative treatment, and her passion for spreading knowledge through Hygiene Edge.

Whether you're considering mobile dentistry or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, this episode offers valuable insights and encouragement.

About Shelley:
Shelley Brown, MEd, BSDH, RDH, Shelley has worked in dentistry for 25 years. Her current clinical setting is working with patients in homebound settings with her company, Homebound Smiles, LLC.

She also currently works as adjunct faculty at the Utah College of Dental Hygiene, a baccalaureate program.

She loves curating helpful content through her co-owned company Hygiene Edge. Their Youtube channel has over 27 million views on their educational videos.

Shelley is an award recipient of the 2021 Today’s RDH Honor Awards and was on the 2023 RDH Magazine advisory board. She is also a top 50 teledentistry leaders to know. In her free time she loves riding her 4 young boys around her city on her cargo bike.

Connect with Shelley:

All platforms: @hygieneedge
Personal Instagram: @shelleythehygienist
LinkedIn: Shelley Brown

To watch on YouTube, click here

Timestamps:

00:00 - Her Favorite Things About Hygiene
5:15 - Starting a Mobile Hygiene Business
13:46 - Different Kinds of Mobile Options
19:32 - Challenges With Patient Care
22:18 - Where She Provides Care
25:20 - Advocating for Oral Health In Care Facilities
27:45 - When the Patient Needs Restorative Care
30:28 - The Journey of Entrepreneurship
34:30 - Spreading Education Through Hygiene Edge
40:54 - Encouragement For Aspiring Content Entrepreneurs
44:18 - Connect With Shelley

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Join us for a deep dive into the career journey of Lynn, a trailblazing hygienist who’s leveraged her clinical skills in unique and impactful ways. 

From her insights on networking effectively to navigating common issues with vision and loupes, Lynn shares valuable advice for clinicians at every stage. 

We'll also debunk myths about implants, explore the essentials of speaking confidently, and discuss how to transfer clinical expertise into new ventures. 

Whether you're aspiring to improve your communication skills or broaden your business horizons, this episode is packed with tips and inspiration. Don’t miss it!

Tune in to gain insider insights and elevate your clinical and business skills!

To watch on Youtube, click here

About Lynn:
Lynn Pencek brings a unique balance of industry knowledge, instructional design, and clinical experience. As a member of the Nobel Biocare team, she helped offices bring in new technology and develop efficient workflows for dental implant treatment. She has experience with surgical assisting, clinical workflows, digital case planning for guided surgery, account and inventory management, marketing, and patient education for case acceptance.

Being a Dental Hygienist, Lynn wanted to learn more about the care and maintenance of dental implants than what was provided. Lynn has a passion for unraveling the questions and common misunderstandings dental hygienists have about dental implant maintenance, Lynn has founded her company “Practice at Your Best”.

Lynn is a graduate of Broome County Community College Department of Dental Hygiene, Thomas Jefferson University’s Department of Dental Hygiene for degree completion, and received her Master of Science in Dental Hygiene from The University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Lynn has held Dental Hygiene faculty appointments at Thomas Jefferson University and Community College of Philadelphia. She has served as a Corporate Council member for Dimensions in Dental Hygiene, representing Nobel Biocare and Orascoptic.

Connect With Lynn:
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram: @Lynnpencek
Email: [email protected]
Website

Timestamps:

00:00 - Lynne's Unique Hygiene Career
10:20 - Advice For Networking
17:30 - What About Vision Changes & Loupes?
25:21 - Truths & Myths About Implants (probing & fluoride)
35:51 - How To Become A Great Speaker
42:54 - Building Confidence As A Speaker
47:56 - Leveraging Clinical Skills In Business
49:35 - Connect With Lynn

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