There is a version of dental hygiene most hygienists never encounter. No production targets. No same-day schedule pressure. Care measured by how many lives you reach, not how many patients fit in the hour.

Jessica L. Woods, MPH, RDH has been living that version for over a decade. A clinician who spent years in public health and alternative practice settings, she was the first hygienist employed by a county health department in the state, and ran one of the largest zero-to-five oral health prevention programs in the country before moving into national speaking and consulting work.

In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Jessica to talk about what the RDHAP path actually looks like, why salivary diagnostics are shifting the hygiene role toward a true medical model, and what the oral health connection to fertility means for patients and providers who have never heard it discussed. Jessica also opens up about losing her father to suicide and why mental wellness has become part of her speaking platform.

This episode is for dental hygienists, dentists, public health professionals, and practice owners who want to understand the full range of what hygiene can be and do.

Subscribe to The Dental Handoff on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean. New episodes every week.

Connect with Jessica L. Woods, MPH, RDH:

Website: executiverdh.com

Where to Find Dr. Kelly:

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com

In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Dr. Derik J. Sven, DHSc, RDH, CDT. He is a doctoral researcher, 2025 to 2026 VDHA President, ADHA Fellow, and one of the most clear-eyed voices on hygiene workforce policy in the profession today.

Dr. Sven's perspective is genuinely rare. He grew up in a dental laboratory, pursued a seminary education, was rejected from one hygiene program and accepted by another, and spent ten years earning advanced degrees while practicing clinically. His doctoral dissertation at The George Washington University mapped scope of practice across all 50 states against four decades of political and regional cultural data. The findings challenge what most hygienists assume about why their scope looks the way it does.

The conversation covers the real mechanisms of hygiene burnout, why the dental association's Missouri pilot project doesn't meet basic research standards, how supragingival scaling without full debridement creates oral dysbiosis, and why Dr. Sven believes the most strategic career move for a hygienist who wants to shape policy may not be another master's degree. It may be law school.

For RDHs questioning what their license actually allows, dentists who want to understand workforce dynamics, practice owners navigating team culture, and anyone in dentistry who wonders why the same degree produces dramatically different careers depending on where you live.

You'll Learn:

Subscribe to The Dental Handoff on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean. New episodes every week.

Connect with Dr. Derik J. Sven, DHSc, RDH, CDT:

Website: drderikrdh.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/derikjsven

Instagram: instagram.com/drderikrdh

YouTube: youtube.com/@drderikrdh

Facebook: facebook.com/drderikrdh

TikTok: tiktok.com/@dr..derik.rdh

Where to Find Dr. Kelly:

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com

In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Mary Govoni, CDA, RDA, RDH OSHA Outreach Trainer, Speaker, Author, a compliance consultant who has spent decades helping dental practices close the gap between what they think they are doing and what their documentation actually shows.

Mary walks through what she finds in practice after practice: the workaround mindset that creates liability, the mask habits that never fully corrected after COVID, and the quiet moment when a team member leaves and takes the OSHA binder with them. She also shares one of dentistry’s most urgent public health alerts right now, the return of measles and a phenomenon called immune amnesia that can erase years of accumulated immunity.

This episode is for dental hygienists, dentists, dental assistants, and practice owners who want to move from compliance anxiety to a system that actually holds up when it needs to.

You’ll learn:

Subscribe to The Dental Handoff on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean. New episodes every week.

Website: https://www.marygovoni.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-govoni-and-associates/

Services: OSHA Compliance and CDS Infection Prevention and Control, HIPAA Compliance and Cybersecurity, Ergonomics and Efficiency, Human Resources Manual Development (powered by Bent Ericksen and Associates)

Where to Find Dr. Kelly:

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com

Every clinical role in a dental practice comes with a license, a certification, or an advanced degree. The office manager who coordinates everything those clinicians do? She learns it on the job, alone, and owns the outcome regardless.

In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Savanah Carlson, MAADOM, Director of U.S. Partners and Learning Programs at MaxAssist, former Director of Member Services at AADOM, and a dental practice management professional who has held every admin role dentistry has. She grew from Patient and Social Media Coordinator to Office Manager at Lund Dental Associates in Stoneham, Massachusetts, earned her Fellowship, Mastership, and Diplomate credentials from AADOM, led member services for the 10,000-plus member national association, and now brings that depth of experience to helping dental teams perform at their best through MaxAssist's AI-powered scheduling and admin tools.

The conversation covers what it takes to build a culture that is genuinely healthy rather than performed, how to anchor a team when everything is pulling it apart, and why the patient experience in any practice is owned entirely by the people at the front, not the people at the chair.

This episode is for dental office managers, hygienists, dentists, and practice owners who want to close the gap between the care they deliver clinically and the experience patients carry home.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

Subscribe to The Dental Handoff on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean. New episodes every week.

MaxAssist: https://maxassist.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/savanahmcarlson

Where to Find Dr. Kelly:

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com

Lisa Copeland holds the CSP, the Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association, one of the most respected credentials in professional speaking. Fewer than 17% of speakers in the world have earned it. She is one of only three registered dental hygienists to ever receive it.

That credential came after thirty years of saying yes. Perio in Scranton. Implantology in Washington, DC. Six years in Singapore. Twenty years in corporate education. Two IRONMAN races. Open water swimming. Snowboarding. A book. And a PACE-approved company she built from scratch to coach dental professionals, consultants, and emerging speakers on how to communicate with influence.

In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with her longtime colleague and friend to unpack the speaking framework Lisa has refined over decades: why your conclusion matters more than your introduction, how the 10-20-30 rule forces clarity no other constraint can, and why ending a talk on Q&A quietly kills every room.

This one is for hygienists, dentists, practice owners, and anyone in the dental profession who wants to communicate with more intention, whether that is in the operatory, in a team meeting, or on a stage in front of hundreds.

CONNECT WITH Lisa Copeland, RDH, CSP, CVP:

Website: communicatewithinfluence.org

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisagcopeland

Book a Free Discovery Call: bookme.name/LisaCopelandRDH

Workshop: Vivos Institute, June 26 and 27  |  Code LISA200 saves $200  |  AGD PACE CE credit eligible 

Where to Find Dr. Kelly:

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com

In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Chris Snyder, founder of 360 Media + Marketing. Since 2016, Chris has built a reputation for helping dental professionals stand out through personal branding, public relations, and advertising with a focus on authentic storytelling and strategic visibility.

This episode is for dentists, dental hygienists, practice owners, and CE-focused clinicians who want to move from transactional to relational marketing and build a brand patients actually remember.

You’ll Learn:

CONNECT WITH Chris Snyder:

Where to Find Dr. Kelly:

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com

In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Dr. John Heimke, DMD, MPH, President of Facial Designers, Inc., aesthetic dentist, full-arch implant provider, and faculty at the FMR in New York. They cover what it actually takes to build a fulfilling, high-performing dental practice.

Dr. Heimke unpacks the Blue Ocean Strategy that reshaped his practice over 15 years ago, explains why 1.8 million Americans are ready for full-arch implants but cannot find a provider, and details how switching to Guided Biofilm Therapy transformed his hygiene department with patients voluntarily asking to come in 3 to 4 times a year.

This episode is for dentists, dental hygienists, practice owners, and CE-focused clinicians who want to move beyond single-tooth dentistry and build something that lasts.

You’ll learn:

Connect with John Heimke, DMD, MPH:

Where to Find Dr. Kelly:

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com

What if the biggest thing holding you back in dentistry is trying to be perfect?

From early training to clinical practice, dentistry often reinforces the pressure to get everything right. But that constant pursuit of perfection can quietly lead to burnout, self- doubt, and stalled growth. This conversation explores how fear of mistakes shapes learning, confidence, and long-term success in dental hygiene and beyond.

Dr. Gurenlian shares a different perspective, one grounded in education, leadership, and real clinical experience. Instead of avoiding failure, she explains why it is essential for developing skills, resilience, and better patient care.

With decades of experience in dental hygiene education, research, and advocacy, Dr. Gurenlian offers practical insight into how shifting your mindset can change the way you practice and lead.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by expectations in dentistry, this episode will help you rethink what progress actually looks like.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Connect with JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AFAAOM:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joann-gurenlian-rdh-ms-phd-afaaom-8ab135165/

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com

Have you ever had a moment in your practice where you did everything right, but something still felt off?

In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Kristin Haynes to talk about the real, unspoken experiences happening inside dental practices every day.

From subtle bias to moments that are hard to explain, this conversation explores how those experiences shape the way we see people, lead teams, and show up in our careers.

Kristin shares how growing up feeling different gave her a unique ability to read situations and understand people on a deeper level, something that became one of her greatest strengths in dentistry.

This isn’t just about dentistry. It’s about perspective, awareness, and the experiences that define how we lead.

If you’ve ever felt judged, misunderstood, or out of place, this conversation will resonate with you.

You’ll learn:

Kristin Haynes is a consultant, speaker, and founder of KH Productivity Management, where she helps dental practices achieve growth with clarity and confidence. Through her signature Assessment to Clarity Framework™, Kristin guides practices to optimize three essential pillars: People Clarity to align team roles and leadership; Operations Clarity to streamline systems and increase efficiency; and Valuation Clarity to position the business for scalable growth or successful transition. With over 25 years of deep experience in dentistry, Kristin is a trusted partner for doctors navigating expansion, adding associates, or preparing for a future sale. Her clear, actionable approach equips leaders with the structure and strategy needed to move forward decisively.

Connect with Kristin:

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com

Dental leadership, career growth, and navigating change in dentistry—this episode of The Dental Handoff explores what it really takes to trust your next step in your dental career.

If you’re a dental hygienist (RDH), dentist, assistant, or practice owner feeling stuck, burned out, or uncertain about your next move, this conversation will resonate deeply.

Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Aimee Vail to discuss the reality of nonlinear career paths in dentistry, from clinical roles to entrepreneurship, and the mindset shifts required to grow through change instead of staying stuck in fear.

They unpack what it means to follow the “nudge,” build confidence through experience, and surround yourself with the right community to support your growth.

This episode is a reminder that growth in dentistry isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about trusting yourself enough to take the next step.

If this resonated with you, share your thoughts below or send this to someone navigating their next chapter in dentistry.

Aimee Vail is an American dental hygienist, entrepreneur, and consultant who founded PoweredUP Prevention, a company that bridges clinical expertise and business strategy in the dental industry. She is known for helping dental brands accelerate market adoption by combining sales insight with first-hand operatory experience.

Vail has built her career at the intersection of clinical care and commercial strategy. As a practicing dental hygienist with a deep understanding of vendor operations, she guides dental companies in refining their go-to-market plans, connecting them directly with decision-makers in group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs). Her approach emphasizes actionable outcomes over generic consulting, ensuring that a client’s product or service message “lands” with purchasing authorities.

PoweredUP Prevention

Founded by Vail, PoweredUP Prevention serves as both a consultancy and a connector within the dental marketplace. It supports vendors seeking to increase visibility, drive adoption, and navigate the complexities of private-equity-backed DSOs. The firm’s services span strategy development, meeting facilitation, and relationship management with clinical and corporate stakeholders.

Influence and recognition

Within the dental community, Aimee Vail is recognized for her reputation as “the connector and the closer.” Her credibility stems from experience across the sales, technical, and chair-side dimensions of dentistry, giving her clients a pragmatic advantage in a competitive field. She continues to mentor professionals and partner with brands seeking authentic engagement in dental care innovation.

Connect with Aimee:

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com