The Dental Handoff

By Dr. Kelly TannerBusiness Medicine Health & Fitness Education

The Dental Handoff episodes

June 02Episode 207 | Scope, Autonomy, and the Case for RDH-JDs - Dr. Derik J. Sven, DHSc
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:
Why regional culture predicts scope of practice more reliably than political party affiliation
What the dental association's Missouri pilot project actually measured. A customer satisfaction survey is not a health outcome study.
How supragingival scaling without full debridement creates oral dysbiosis and patient harm, regardless of who performs it
The way private equity and DSO production tallies are quietly bending clinical decisions toward unnecessary restorative intervention
Why hygienist law school may be the most strategic career move for RDHs who want to shape policy and what the prerequisites actually are
What 1 percent of 220,000 hygienists choosing a JD would mean for antitrust arguments in state legislatures
What practicing with full autonomy in Colorado feels like compared to a supervision-heavy Southern state
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
30 min
May 26Episode 206 | OSHA Compliance, Immune Amnesia, and the Documentation System Every Dental Practice Needs | Mary Govoni, CDA, RDA, RDH OSHA Outreach Trainer, Speaker, Author
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:
Why most dental offices are not as compliant as they think, and exactly where the gaps usually hide
The mask-in-the-pocket habit that is still happening in clinical settings and why it matters more than people realize
What immune amnesia is, why measles is back, and how dental teams need to respond right now
The difference between OSHA law and CDC guidance, and why guidance does not mean optional
Why documentation is the first thing OSHA inspectors look for, and what happens when it walks out the door with a departing team member
The new OSHA Hazard Communication Standard changes taking effect in November 2025 and what practices need to update through 2028
The Association for Dental Safety at myADS.org, one of the best resources in dentistry that almost nobody knows about
FX EFFEX at dental.effex.cloud, the centralized compliance platform Mary recommends for practices ready to ditch the binders
Subscribe to The Dental Handoff on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean. New episodes every week.

CONNECT WITH Mary Govoni, CDA, RDA, RDH OSHA Outreach Trainer, Speaker, Author:
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
31 min
May 19Episode 205 | Who Trains the People Who Run Dental Practices? - Savanah Carlson, MAADOM
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:
Why the patient experience begins and ends with the admin team and what that means for how practices should be led
The difference between toxic positivity and a genuinely healthy culture and why most practices cannot tell them apart
What happens when leadership cannot clearly answer why we are seeing these patients
Why communication is an applied science that no dental education pathway actually teaches
How the DISC assessment changes not just how you lead your team but how you talk to patients
The two-question end-of-day habit that costs nothing and builds more trust than most management strategies
What good AI adoption looks like for an admin team and what it looks like when a practice is using it for the wrong reasons
What it means to go after connection first and let everything else build from there
Subscribe to The Dental Handoff on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean. New episodes every week.

Connect with Savanah Carlson, MAADOM:
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
30 min
May 12Episode 204 | Saying Yes, Earning the CSP, and Owning the Stage - Lisa Copeland, RDH, CSP, CVP
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.

You’ll Learn:
Why fewer than 17% of speakers earn the CSP and why one of only 3 RDHs to hold it says structure matters more than stage presence
How to write a presentation by starting with your conclusion and building everything backwards
Why your conclusion is the most important part of any talk and why most people write it last
The 10-20-30 rule: 10 slides, 20 minutes, 30-point font and why 30-point font is the one constraint that forces clarity
Why you should never end your presentation on Q&A and exactly how to control the room so you finish on your terms
How saying yes to things she was not qualified for yet became the only strategy she ever needed
What flap surgery in a Scranton perio office taught her about preparation and what she still misses on the distal of tooth 14

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
29 min
May 05Episode 203 | Brand, Trust, and the Three-Legged Marketing Table - Chris Snyder
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.

Chris breaks down why most dental marketing misses the mark, why email still converts better than social media, and what the three-legged table of visibility, voice, and networking actually looks like inside a dental practice.

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:
Why visibility is the first leg of a three-legged marketing strategy and why ads alone will not get you there
How to earn the right to make the ask before you ever pitch a sale
Why email still outconverts social media and what to do with that information
The role your website plays in SEO and how to trigger a Google crawl today
What alt text actually does and why automated alt text may be hurting your trust
Why long-form content like podcasts, blogs, and speaking creates trust faster than any ad
How Chris applied the Walgreens neighborhood strategy to dental practice marketing
The three things every practice should build before spending on ads
CONNECT WITH Chris Snyder:
https://360mediaandmarketing.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-snyder-360mediamarketing/

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
32 min
April 28Episode 202 | Full Arch Implants, Case Acceptance and the Blue Ocean Practice - John Heimke
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:
Why 1.8 million patients are ready for full-arch implants right now but cannot find a provider
The Blue Ocean Strategy concept that transformed Dr. Heimke's practice 15 years ago
How AI smile design with Smile Cloud and a 75-inch screen changes case acceptance
Why a full-mouth restoration costs less than the average American car and how to say that to patients
The real flossing compliance data: only 3 feet of floss sold per person per year in the US
How Guided Biofilm Therapy moved patients from twice a year to 3 to 4 visits voluntarily
Why patients do not care what material you use; they want to know if you can solve their problem
The router upgrade under $200 that makes every technology in your office run faster today
Connect with John Heimke, DMD, MPH:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-heimke-1bbb0810/
https://www.everyonelovesmysmile.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
32 min
April 21Episode 201 | Why Perfection Is Ruining Dentistry and What to Do Instead - JoAnn Gurenlian
What if the biggest thing holding you back in dentistry is trying to be perfect?

In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Dr. JoAnn Gurenlian to unpack a challenge many dental professionals face but rarely discuss: perfectionism.
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:
Why perfectionism is so common in dentistry
How fear of failure impacts clinical performance
Why mistakes are essential for growth and learning
How to build confidence in practice
Ways to shift from perfection to progress

Connect with JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AFAAOM:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joann-gurenlian-rdh-ms-phd-afaaom-8ab135165/

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
40 min
April 15Episode 200 | Feeling Different in Dentistry? This Might Be Your Greatest Strength - Kristin Haynes
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:
How to turn difficult experiences into strengths
Why awareness is a leadership superpower
The role of bias in everyday dental interactions
How to better understand your team and patients
Why feeling different can actually give you an advantage

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:
www.khpromanagement.com
www.linkedin.com/in/khpm

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
31 min
April 07Episode 199 | Dental Leadership: How to Pivot Without Fear - Aimee Vail
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.
Why most dental careers aren’t linear, and why that’s okay
How to recognize when it’s time to pivot in your career
The role of fear vs intuition in decision-making
Why community and mentorship matter in dentistry
How to build confidence by reflecting on your past 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:
https://www.poweredupprevention.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
30 min
March 31 Episode 198 | No One Prepares You for This as a Dental Assistant (And It Shows) - Julie Varney
Most dental assistants are not struggling because they are not capable. They are struggling because no one ever trained them properly.
Dental assisting is one of the most hands-on roles in dentistry, but many assistants are expected to perform, communicate, and anticipate everything without structured training or mentorship.
In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Julie Varney, RDA with 33 years chairside, to talk about the real skills nobody teaches, how to read your doctor, how to stay 10 steps ahead of the procedure, how to handle the anxious patient who walks in assuming the worst, and why so many dental assistants shut down when they feel picked at instead of supported.
This is not about clinical skills alone. It is about the system behind the role, and why so many talented assistants end up feeling overwhelmed, undervalued, or stuck.
Julie Varney, RDA, CDA, COA, CDIPC, FAADOM, is an experienced clinical dental assistant with over 30 years of chairside expertise. She specializes in efficient workflow, instrumentation, and real-time support that helps procedures run smoothly and predictably.
Julie is known for strengthening infection control protocols and clinical excellence without slowing down productivity. She works closely with dentists and their dental assistants to enhance communication, anticipate clinical needs, and improve overall patient care. Her hands-on approach helps dental teams build confidence, consistency, and clinical excellence.
Julie’s mission is to elevate the chairside clinical experience for both providers and patients through practical, results-driven
systems.
Connect with Julie:

https://www.instagram.com/dentalassistantsrock/
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
36 min

About The Dental Handoff

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Let’s stop using the wrong end of the toothbrush! This show is about passing you the knowledge, the habits, the systems and the strategies to lead your teams, lean on your tech, and listen to your…

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The Dental Handoff

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