Welcome to a brand-new season of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! 🎉 In this episode, host Rachel Wall, sits down with Jennifer Steadman, Director of Operations at Inspired Hygiene, to kick off a powerful season all about innovation—and why it’s absolutely essential for dental teams to thrive in 2026 and beyond.

Together, they dive into:

If you’re a dentist, hygienist, or team leader looking to future-proof your practice and inspire growth, this episode is your roadmap.

🔔 Subscribe to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast for practical insights, expert interviews, and proven strategies to help your team elevate care and performance.

💬 Share your thoughts: What innovation has made the biggest difference in your practice? Tell us in the comments!

📣 Don’t forget to leave a review and help other dental professionals discover the show.

#DentalPodcast #InspiredHygiene #DentalInnovation #DentalTeam #Leadership #PracticeGrowth #DentalHygienist #AIinDentistry #DentalPracticeManagement #InspiredHygienePodcast

Beyond the Prophy: Reclaiming the Purpose of Periodontal Maintenance

In this powerful episode, host Rachel Wall, RDH takes a deep dive into a topic that’s often overlooked but absolutely essential: periodontal maintenance—and why it’s so much more than just checking a box.

🦷 Many dental teams unknowingly let patients slip through the cracks with under-evaluated perio protocols. Rachel walks through how to assess whether your perio program is stable or slipping, what your perio percentage really means, and how to identify red flags in maintenance care. She also breaks down the science, mindset shifts, and clinical strategies needed to deliver truly exceptional care—and protect the hard-earned healing your patients have achieved.

✅ What you’ll learn in this episode:

What periodontal maintenance really is—and what it’s not

Why a low perio percentage might indicate a big problem

Four reasons perio patients are high-risk for relapse

The dangers of "bleeding blindness" and "stable inflammation"

Why documentation and consistent diagnostics are key

The CDT code breakdown for 4910 and what payers look for

How to reframe maintenance as proactive, life-saving care

Perio Calculator Tool 

https://inspiredhygiene.com/perio-tool/

AAP Periodontal Health Paper

https://aap.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/JPER.16-0517

Why Your Patients Are In Perio Purgatory- ACT Best Practices Show podcast episode

https://www.actdental.com/podcast/?wchannelid=lla42lxvs4&wmediaid=nb08uv3o6p

🎯 Whether you're a hygienist, dentist, or practice leader, this episode will challenge you to rethink the way you approach maintenance—and unlock the hidden growth opportunities inside your hygiene program.

💬 If this episode resonated with you, leave a comment or review and share it with a colleague!

#InspiredHygiene #PeriodontalMaintenance #DentalPodcast #HygieneLeadership #PerioPercentage #ScalingAndRootPlaning #PracticeGrowth #HygieneCoach #BleedingBlindness #DentalCare #OralSystemicHealth #DSO #HygieneProduction

🎙️ Inspired Hygiene Podcast | Why Even Innovative Dentists Hesitate to Upgrade Their Perio Systems

Welcome back to Season 2 of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! In this episode, host Rachel Wall, RDH dives deep into the top 5 concerns dental practice owners face when considering a proactive periodontal care program—and how to confidently move past them.

🧩 From staffing fears to patient reactions, we break down:

You'll also hear real-life stories from practices that overcame these exact concerns—and saw transformation in patient care, team morale, and profitability.

📈 Whether you're building your perio program solo or with help from a coach, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and actionable steps to start making meaningful progress today.

🛠️ Free Tools Mentioned:

💬 Want guidance? Book a free discovery meeting: https://inspiredhygiene.com/talk/#meet-now

❤️ Like, subscribe, and share to help more teams elevate their standard of care and create the triple win—for patients, providers, and the practice.

#InspiredHygiene #DentalPodcast #PeriodontalCare #HygieneSystems #DentalHygienist #PracticeSuccess #HygieneDepartment #HygieneLeadership #TripleWin #OralSystemicHealth

Inspired Hygiene Podcast | Special Episode from AADOM 2025: Leadership Multiplied with Jennifer Steadman

In this special episode, recorded live at the AADOM Conference, host Rachel Wall, RDH sits down with Inspired Hygiene’s own Jennifer Steadman, BSDH, DAADOM—fresh off teaching the first-ever multi-site management course at AADOM: Leadership Multiplied. 🙌

With deep experience in leading multi-location dental organizations, Jennifer shares powerful insights on what it takes to scale successfully while preserving culture, consistency, and team engagement.

🔑 Key topics from the course:

This candid conversation goes beyond strategy—it touches the heart of leadership, the weight of serving others, and the power of shared experience. If you’re in the DSO space, managing multiple locations, or leading a team of leaders, this episode is packed with must-hear insights.

🧭 Ready to lead with clarity and connection? Book a Discovery Call today: https://inspiredhygiene.com/talk/#meet-now

❤️ Like, comment, and subscribe for more real-world strategies and inspiration for today’s dental leaders.

#InspiredHygiene #DentalLeadership #MultiSiteManagement #DSO #AADOM2025 #LeadershipMultiplied #DentalPodcast #HygieneCoaching #CultureMatters #DentalTeamSuccess #LeadWithHeart #PracticeGrowth

🎙️ Inspired Hygiene Podcast | From Mindset to Protocol: Creating a Standard of Care That Drives Results

Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! In this powerful follow-up to Episode 7, we explore what really needs to happen before your hygiene department can deliver consistent periodontal care—and it all starts with mindset and standards.

In this episode, host Rachel Wall, RDH, breaks down:

✅ The mindset shift from fixed to growth—and how it unlocks better patient care

✅ Why adding new tech isn’t the answer if your diagnostic protocols are broken

✅ The importance of a written Standard of Care to drive consistency and clarity

✅ Real examples of how patient lives have been transformed by periodontal care

✅ Free tools you can use NOW to start building your perio program

Whether you’re a hygienist, dentist, or practice owner, this episode is packed with inspiration, strategy, and a clear call to elevate care for the benefit of your patients, your team, and your practice.

🔧 Download Your Free Tools:

📝 Standard of Care Worksheet: https://inspiredhygiene.com/standard-of-care-worksheet/

📊 Perio Percentage Calculator: https://inspiredhygiene.com/perio-tool/

🎓 Perio Protocol Bootcamp: https://inspiredhygiene.com/perio-protocol/

❤️ Subscribe and join us as we help dental professionals reconnect with their why and build practices centered around trust, excellence, and whole-body health.

#InspiredHygiene #DentalPodcast #PeriodontalCare #DentalHygiene #HygieneProfitability #StandardOfCare #TripleWin #PracticeGrowth #OralSystemicHealth #HygienistLeadership

🎙️ Inspired Hygiene Podcast | Season 2, Ep1: The #1 Missed Opportunity in Dental Hygiene

Welcome to Season 2 of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! I'm your host, Rachel Wall—RDH and founder of Inspired Hygiene. After an incredible Season 1 focused on hot topics in hygiene, we're back with a powerful new series dedicated entirely to the #1 most common missed opportunity in dental hygiene: identifying and treating periodontal disease.

With over 30 years in the dental industry and 20 years coaching thousands of hygiene teams, I’ve seen the same gap in nearly every practice—and the data proves it. In this episode, we break down:

Real stats from 300+ practices representing 1.2 million patients

Why many hygiene departments only diagnose perio in 5–10% of cases

How to use the Perio Percentage Calculator to assess your practice’s performance

What’s holding teams back—and how to overcome it

The critical need for systems, leadership, and open communication

How you can reduce burnout by escaping the “prophy trap”

Whether you’re a practice owner, team leader, or clinician, this season is your step-by-step roadmap to boosting care, profitability, and professional satisfaction.

🎓 Perio Protocol Online Bootcamp: https://inspiredhygiene.com/perio-protocol/

📞 Book a Discovery Call: https://inspiredhygiene.com/talk/#meet-now

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with your team or colleagues. Let’s create the Triple Win—for your practice, your team, and your patients.

#InspiredHygiene #DentalHygiene #PerioProtocol #PeriodontalDisease #DentalLeadership #HygieneCoaching #HygieneProfitability #TripleWin #DentistryPodcast #RachelWall #DentalHygienist #PracticeSuccess

🎙️ Inspired Hygiene Podcast | From Paycheck to Partnership: Evolving the Hygiene Compensation Model

Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! I'm your host, Rachel Wall—RDH and founder of Inspired Hygiene. In this powerful episode, I'm joined by long-time friend and lead coach Emme Sanders to dive deep into one of the hottest and most impactful topics in dentistry today: the shift from hourly paycheck to performance-based partnership in dental hygiene.

💡 We explore:

PLUS: Emme shares behind-the-scenes insights from one of her most challenging (and rewarding) consulting projects yet—and how they helped hygienists make more while serving patients better.

✨ Ready to transform your hygiene department? Learn more or book a discovery meeting at https://inspiredhygiene.com/talk/#meet-now

📍 Next COLLABricon Event: November 14–15, 2025 | Nashville, TN

👇 Like, comment, and subscribe to never miss an episode!

#DentalHygiene #InspiredHygiene #HygieneCompensation #TripleWin #DentalPodcast #PracticeProfitability #LeadershipInDentistry #DentalTeamSuccess

Hygiene Compensation Part 1: Benchmarks, Profitability & The New Reality | Inspired Hygiene Podcast

👍 Like if this clarified the numbers

As always—stay inspired!

Unlocking Hygiene’s FULL Potential: Better Care, Energized Teams, Stronger Practices | Inspired Hygiene Podcast Ep 4

Rachel Wall, RDH, sits down with Lead Clinical Coach Katherine Gilliam, RDH to map out a step-by-step path—from “prophy + bitewings” to true whole-patient care. Discover the 3 tiers of expanded hygiene services, why hygienists must rebrand as health-care practitioners (not just “providers”), and how this mindset shift protects patients and the profession.

💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS

Mindset first: call yourself a health-care practitioner—and practice like one.

Tier 1 must-dos: vitals ✔️ comprehensive perio chart ✔️ oral-systemic conversation ✔️

Adjunct power: targeted lasers, medical-grade ozone & tailored trays turn “maintenance” into healing.

Data drives trust: microbial & HbA1c testing give patients lab-level proof—and boost acceptance.

Start small, systemize, then scale: master one upgrade, lock workflows, communicate value, then add the next.

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS

FREE guide: 17 Tips to Attract & Keep Exceptional Hygienists → https://inspiredhygiene.com/17-tips-to-attract-a-hygienist-to-your-practice/

Book a Discovery Meeting →https://inspiredhygiene.com/talk/#meet-now

More about Katherine Gilliam → https://inspiredhygiene.com/coaching/

Email us → [email protected]

👍 Like if you’re ready to elevate your hygiene department

💬 Comment: Which tier are you focused on next?

🔔 Subscribe so you don’t miss Season 2—deep-dive into periodontal diagnostics!

Thanks for joining us—stay inspired!

Rachel Wall, RDH, sits down with lead hygiene productivity coach Connie Simmons, RDH—licensed in 9 states and still practicing chairside—to dissect the hygiene-capacity crisis and share battle-tested fixes that protect the Triple Win (patients • providers • practice).

📚 RESOURCES

* Assisted Hygiene Online Bootcamp 

* Hygienist Shares Real World Experience with Assisted Hygiene 

* Assisted Hygiene: Burden or Benefit Webinar

* Schedule a Discovery Meeting 

* Email us → [email protected]

👍 LIKE this if you’re ready to end the 8-month waitlist

💬 COMMENT: What’s YOUR toughest scheduling bottleneck?

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more practical hygiene & practice-growth strategies 

Thanks for listening—stay inspired!