Disrupting Dentistry Podcast (Melissa Obrotka, Tabitha Acret)

Join us for the latest episode as we discuss how dental professionals are front-line workers when it comes to oral cancer education, detection, and supportive care. 

Melissa and Tabitha discuss statistics of oral cancer, risk factors and why we all need to talk about HPV with our patients. 

If you are in Australia this episode can be counted as 1 hour CPD

In this episode, we dive into the world of dental consultant coaching. Our returning guest and friend, Miranda Beeson, shared how she transitioned from private practice to a Lead Practice Coach with ACT Dental. In this episode, Miranda shares how as a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches and insights. A master of communication, Miranda shares her enthusiasm for patient interactions and loves helping others find the power that words can bring to their patient relationships and practice dynamics.  

Miranda Beeson, MS, BSDH, has over 25 years of clinical dental hygiene, front office, practice administration, and speaking experience. Miranda graduated from Old Dominion University and enjoys spending time with her husband, Chuck, and her children, Trent, Mallory, and Cassidy. Family time is the best time and is often spent on a golf course, a volleyball court, or spending the day boating at the beach.

Miranda Beeson and ACT Dental Coaching 

Join us on our latest installment, where we chat with Dr. Bethany about her career. We chat about how she has built a business around promoting oral health and healthy behaviors for children. Dr. Bathany is passionate about changing the status of oral health in children, and her energy can be heard throughout the podcast.

A little about Dr. Bethany 

Welcome to season 2!!

On the first installment of season two we chat with Kelsey Ingram on her research into the effects of oral health on chronic disease and the translation of this evidence into chronic disease and oral health policy in Australia. 

This week we are so excited to interview our first Canadian guest, out first dentist and our first male guest! Dr Bandon Duocet is an amazing human and dentist and we are so proud to share him with our disrupters. Brandon is fighting the good fight and its people like him who will change the world. Listen to  this weeks podcast to learn about how the coalition for dental care in Canada is fighting for improved access to care and better health outcomes for the population. 

https://twitter.com/for_dentalcare?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/coalitionfordentalcare/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/coalitionfordentalcare

This episode challenges the dental industry's casual approach to gingivitis and reframes bleeding gums as a severe systemic health warning that demands attention! Melissa and Tabitha reveal why making gingivitis identification compelling to patients is crucial for oral and overall health outcomes.

Link to Meissa's Post mentioned in the episode:  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG0LnVGsrnT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Key Topics Covered

🚨 Why Gingivitis Is More Than "Pink in the Sink"

• The systemic connection between gingival inflammation and elevated inflammatory markers (CRP, interleukin-6)
• How gingivitis serves as an early warning system for broader health issues
• The direct link between periodontal inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk (Bale-Doneen Method)

🔬 The Progression from Gingivitis to Periodontitis

• Research showing how untreated gingivitis commonly advances to irreversible damage
• How inflammation increases oral mucosa permeability, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream
• The systemic health risks associated with ongoing gingival inflammation:
  • Diabetes complications
  • Cognitive decline
  • Adverse pregnancy outcomes

💡 Tools for Compelling Gingivitis Communication

• Tech-forward approaches that transform patient understanding:
  • Voice-activated perio charting
  • Biofilm disclosing for immediate visual impact
  • Salivary diagnostics to personalize care and track improvements

🗣️ Reframing the Clinical Conversation

• Moving beyond "floss more" to delivering a blueprint for whole-body health
• Powerful language shifts that motivate patient action
• Positioning dental professionals as frontline preventive medicine specialists

Featured Research:  Because We ALWAYS Bring the Research  🧾

1. Page, R. C., Offenbacher, S., Schroeder, H. E., Seymour, G. J., & Kornman, K. S. (2002). Advances in the pathogenesis of periodontitis: Summary of developments, clinical implications, and future directions. Journal of Periodontology, 73(8), 935-951. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2002.73.8.935
2. Sanz, M., Marco Del Castillo, A., Jepsen, S., Gonzalez-Juanatey, J. R., D'Aiuto, F., Bouchard, P., Chapple, I., Dietrich, T., Gotsman, I., Graziani, F., Herrera, D., Loos, B., Madianos, P., Michel, J. B., Perel, P., Pieske, B., Shapira, L., Shechter, M., Tonetti, M., Vlachopoulos, C., & Wimmer, G. (2020). Periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases: Consensus report. Frontiers in Medicine, 7(25). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2020.00025
3. Tonetti, M. S., Van Dyke, T. E., & Working Group 1 of the Joint EFP/AAP Workshop. (2013). Periodontitis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: Consensus report of the Joint EFP/AAP Workshop on Periodontitis and Systemic Diseases. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 40(S14), S24-S29. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.12089

Key Takeaways That Will DISRUPT Your Practice 💪

• Reframe gingivitis conversations to focus on whole-body health implications
• Implement visual and auditory tools to make inflammation impossible to ignore
• Use data-driven approaches through salivary diagnostics
• Position yourself as a preventive health specialist, not just a dental provider
• Choose language that conveys urgency and importance

Connect With The Movement 🔥

🚀 Join the dental revolution! 

🚀 Share this episode with colleagues who need to level up their gingivitis communication. 

🚀 Subscribe to stay on the cutting edge of disruptive dental practice techniques!

Follow ➡️ @disruptingdentistrypodcast

Follow ➡️ @tabitha_dental_hygienist_

Follow ➡️ @itsthebadasshygienist

#DisruptingDentistry #StopBleedingGums #OralSystemicConnection #DentalInnovation #PerioHealth

On this installment we talk to founder Rosi of About 28 functional toothpaste. Rosi is an OHT in QLD and trying to find an effective natural toothpaste was a challange so she made one!! 

Have a listen and hear all about the process idea to reality !

about28

On this episode Tabitha and Melissa disucss what red flags to look for when looking for the perfect dental practice, they chat about some of the red flags they have seen in the dental practice and what questions to ask in interviews 

Around the world many countries have a new batch of graduate dental hygienists and this episode talks about the first steps for getting a job and working in a dental office. We have tips from dental hygienists from around the world.

Congratulations New Graduates, you are our future and we are excited to see what you make of it 

Tabitha and Melissa xx

On this installment of disrupting dentistry with talk with USA based Dental Hygienist Angie Stone. Angie has written the book dying of dirty teeth and is an advocate for oral health in aged care facilities and patients with dementia.

On this episode we discuss what is dementia and how we can help prevent and help. This is an important episode  and one not to be missed

This is the story of two dental hygienists from opposite sides of the world, who became friends because they realized their professional lives are so in sync.  One in Australia and one in America both exuding their passion for high-level patient care, both pushing back on legacy dentistry.  If you are ready to revolutionize the practice of dental hygiene through science and innovation, then join us as we are Disrupting Dentistry.  

In this eye-opening episode, Melissa and Tabitha dive into one of the most critical yet overlooked connections in healthcare: the link between oral health and cardiovascular disease. With heart disease remaining the #1 cause of death worldwide, they explore how chronic inflammation—particularly from periodontal pathogens—can silently drive heart attacks and strokes.

They break down the Bale-Doneen Method, which challenges traditional cardiac screening by shifting the focus from cholesterol to inflammation and bacterial invasion as the true culprits of heart disease. They also discuss how salivary diagnostics can revolutionize dental care, helping professionals identify high-risk patients before a cardiac event occurs.

Key Takeaways Include:

✅ How oral pathogens like P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum trigger arterial plaque formation.

✅ These are the biomarkers every dental professional should be testing for.

✅ Why standard cholesterol tests miss half of at-risk patients.

✅ Practical steps to integrate salivary testing and physician collaboration into daily practice.

With Heart Health Month as the backdrop, this episode is a call to action for dental professionals worldwide: We’re not just treating gum disease—we’re saving lives.

💡 Have you seen the perio-heart connection in your practice? Let’s talk! Tag us, DM us, and join the conversation.

#OralSystemicHealth #HeartHealthMonth #SalivaryTesting #PreventiveDentistry #PerioAndHeartDisease

Welcome to the first episode of season 4!!!!

On this installment Tabitha talks to Tanya Deacon a dental hygienist in Newcastle Australia on her journey from thought to action. Here about how to take an idea and action it into a finished product!

Well done Tanya!

Sometimes disrupting means embracing old knowledge. On this weeks episode we talk with Cathy Boyce an Oral Health Therapist from Queensland, Australia. Cathy has been using silver fluoride for over 30 years and is an experienced clinician and international speaker on the subject. On this episode Cathy explains what is silver fluoride, why did we stop using it and why is it making a comeback?

In this episode its all about embracing minimal intervention dentistry, tooth preservation, stopping the caries disease process and helping our patients who need intervention and also have anxiety and or hypersensitivity.

Come and disrupt caries with us

For more information on silver fluoride visit Cathy’s website https://www.armer.com.au/

In true Disrupting Dentistry fashion, we are kicking off 2024 with an episode that tackles some provocative issues in dentistry head-on with repeat guest Kevin Oshani Lopez.  

In this episode, Melissa and Kevin discuss some trending circumstances that US dental professionals face.  One particular topic they tackle is the RDH shortage and how the demand has driven up salaries.  For many, this seems like a good thing, but Mel and Kevs outline how this may negatively impact the profession over time...

Dental Post Salary Survey Report 

Follow Kevin @kevstalksteeth 

Dr Mark Wotherspoon has lead an amazing life from serving  in the military, running a dental practice within a prison, owning a private dental practice, starting a mobile dentistry business for aged care and inventing oral care devices to clean oral appliances. You name it  and Dr Wotherspoon has probably done it! Join us this week as we talk with one of the true disrupters of dentistry about his dental journey and the road we see ahead.

https://drmarkshygenie.com/

Legacy dental protocols and misinformation have become the Urban Legends of Implant Maintenance for our profession.  In this episode, Melissa & Tabitha will debunk the top 5 Urban Legends of Implant Maintenance and drop some science bombs.  Don't take the advice of others as law, do your research and follow the science!  Go to perio.org to find heaps of science on implant maintenance and classification system. 

In this episode Tabitha shares her personal journey as her son was just diagnosed and is being treated for epilepsy.  Tabitha and Melissa discuss and learn about the many oral connections to epilepsy and this host chat shares the facts on diagnosis,  treatment and how dental hygienists can aid in specialized care for this patient population.  

Thanks for listening!  Please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Keep Disrupting ;) 

Join us on this very special spisode where we chat with Theresa Ryan from Australia about her journey survining cancer, As part of Theresa's Journey she had part of her mandible removed, reconstruction surgery and chemptherapy 

We chat with her about what her journey was like, the stuggles and emotional toll it took and where she is now

Its a very emotional episode but one that all dental professionals should listen to. We hope this helps give a better understanding of what its like on the other side

Thank you Thersea for sharing your story with us

Susan shares with us the stats by the Oral Cancer Foundation that, Worldwide new new oral cancer cases are exceeding 640,000 annually.

How do we disrupt the status quo in our OP or dental surgery?  Performing comprehensive screenings.  Check you the chairside link to:  The Cotten Method of Screening

Want to learn more?  Check out Susan's website:  https://oralcancerconsulting.com/

Until next time, Keep Disrupting! 

This Host Chat episode of the Disrupting Dentistry Podcast is Part Two of our Three part series on Dental Anxiety and Phobia.  In this installment, we define the different types of dental phobias and the various techniques and strategies that can be used to help our patients overcome dental anxiety and phobia. 

Tabitha and Melissa discuss the prevalence of dental phobia, its impact on oral health, and how many who have dental phobia avoid dental visits altogether.  

We then delve into the different types of dental phobias, their symptoms, how to identify their specific fears and concerns, and how to tailor our approaches to better address these issues.  This podcast will help listeners feel more empowered and confident in caring for dental-phobic patients.

Stay tuned for Part Three in this series featuring a new technology to reduce dental phobia! 

ITS OUR BIRTHDAY!!

Join us to wrap up season 1, discuss our highlights and what's in stall for season 2 of Disrupting Dentistry

A special thank you to all of our guests and the listeners  who have made season 1 so much fun

This we have the pleasure to interview the AMAZING Dr Melanie Hayes. Melanie started her career as a dental assistant before moving on to complete her Bachelor of Oral Health from the University  of Newcastle in Australia.  After this Mel went on to complete her Class 1 Honors, a PHD, graduate certificate in teaching, graduate certificate in  Advanced leadership and Masters in Education with a major in Career Development. And she did this all before 40 and as a mum !!!

Along with her amazing educational resume she has also held positions as  in clinical dental hygiene, lecturer, head of programs, supervising  PHD students, CEO of DHAA and is currently the head of Work Intergrated Learning at Sydney University. 

Dr Hayes has already had a varied and fabulous career and on todays episode she tells us about smashing that glass ceiling, we discuss career options and how a good mentor can help change your life.

Join us for an inspiring episode as we disrupt dentistry 

On Todays episode Melissa and Tabitha talk with Jill Meyer- Lippert. Jill is a USA based Dental Hygienist who took a negative experience  for her family and turned it into and inspiring business that helps both other dental clinicians, members of the health team and most importantly our patients. Jill shares her knowledge  with us on how we can help our patients with their oral care during their fight for life. 

A little about Jill

Jill Meyer- Lippert began her dental career in 1992 as a dental assistant and receptionist it was during this time that Jill became aware of the little information there was was for patients and dental staff on the oral side effects and how we help for patients during oncology treatment. 

Jill then went on to become a Registered Dental hygienist in 1994 and continued to purse knowledge to help this very underserved are of cancer care. After losing her father to Hodgkin's disease in 2005, she developed an enhanced level of motivation to do more.

Jill created a volunteer program providing oral care kits with product samples and patient education to local oncology departments from 2006-2012 and earned a certificate in Oncology Management from the Univeristy of Southern Indiana.

She is the founder of Side Effect Support LLC, which is dedicated to helping cancer survivors manage short-term oral side effects and long-term damage to oral health associated with chemotherapy and radiation to the head and neck, and some targeted therapies.

Jill is the 2014 recipient of the Sunstar America/RDH Award of Distinction, a members of the Registered Dental Hygienists Advisory Board for Oral Cancer Foundation and part of the Triage Cancer Speakers Bureau.

Todays episode is a must listen for everyone who is part of the dental team so that we can treat our patients with compassion, knowledge  and care.

www.sideeffectssupport.com

Join the Disrupting Dentistry team as we chat with William Carson-Jones ( CJ) an OHT from Adelaide Australia about Pride month and how dental clinicans can be allys to the LGBTQ+ community. 

Please remember pride is more than one month and its important we work to be allys to the LGBTQ+ community all year 

https://www.mentalhealthhelp.com.au/service-directory/lgbti-services/

https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/resources/

In this installment we continue with our chat on periodontal treatment planning. Mel and Tab talk about the importance of a diagnosis and prognosis for patients and, as per usual, some other random converstations and and giggles along the way 

This is our last episode for 2023, and we look forward to catching up again in 2024!

Join us as we chat with Australian Dental Hygienist Jacquie Biggar about her career and how she came to set up her mobile dental business " Senior Dental Care". We also chat about the state of aged care and how Dental Hygienists and Oral Health Therapists can play a key role in improving the care and outcomes. 

For more information on Jacquie and her business, you can visit her website https://seniordentalcare.com.au/

Link to Angie Stone's book, Dying of Dirty Teeth

In this episode we get to chat with Kevin Lopez, AKA Kev Talks Teeth about being a male in a predominately female profession and cultural racism in dentistry.  Kevin is quiet wise beyond his years in hygiene practice and his story is inspirational. 

Kev is here is to disrupt dentistry -  and he is just getting started!  

In honor of Dental Hygiene Appreciation Month, this Host Chat episode is on Tabitha and Melissa's tackle standard of care in periodontal disease. 

During this episode, we explore periodontal disease, assessments, and diagnosis and provide real-world strategies to implement in your operatory or surgery.  Listen in as they discuss establishing the standard of care for periodontal disease treatment in your practice and calibrating within your team.  Exploring evidence-based treatment protocols and patient education. 

Stay tuned for the next part of this standard of care in periodontal disease series. 

Please subscribe and leave a review!  Keep Disrupting! 

We enjoyed chatting with Dr. Amanda Phoon Nguyen, an Oral Medicine Specialist, as she shared her clinical expertise in Burning Mouth Syndrome.  

Here are some key takeaways:

• Oral Burning related to Burning Mouth Syndrome occurs from nerve damage to the small fibers of the tongue and also encompasses brain changes - trigeminal neuropathy.  
• The exact cause of burning mouth syndrome is unknown; in this episode, Dr. Amanda reviews the common causes, such as nerve damage, hormonal changes, psychological factors, and nutritional deficiencies.
• Dr. Amadana guides RDH/OHTs on assessing a patient reporting burning mouth syndrome, what topical agents to prescribe, and when to refer to a specialist.  

Go to products:

• Oral Seven 
• Xylimelts 

Want more from Dr. Amanda? Contact her here: 

• Instagram: @oralmedicineoralpathology 
• Website:  A Spoonful of Oral Medicine 

Like this episode?  Please subscribe to our show and leave us a review!

During the episode they discuss the timing, motivators for patients, the way we recieve and send messages the importance of knowing your patients 

* disclaimer we apologise for the audio in parts of the episode unfortunately New Jersey was having some internet issues *

Episode is elidgble for 1 hour self recorded CPD 

Join us as we talk with the fabulous Sarah Beach about TMD and patient pain. Sarah has had an amazing work history from working in government dental vans to dental hygiene in Switzerland, Singapore, and back to Australia working in pain management, private practice, and whitening studio. Listen to her journey and why having baseline knowledge on TMD pain and knowing who to refer to is essential for all dental clinicians. 

https://www.fastandfunctional.com/

On this installment of the podcast Melissa and Tabitha discuss workplace bullying in the dental practice. What does it look like and the unique experiences  of dental hygienists and oral health therapists in private practice 

On this installment of Disrupting Dentistry Melissa and Tabitha talk with their friend, colleague, fellow dental hygienist and certified in DISC, Miranda Beeson. 

Miranda shares her knowledge on personality types, how disc profiling can help the dental team communicate with ear other and patients. We also discuss on how understanding our own personality helps us personally and in our work-life. 

Communication is key to everything we do and this episode we dive deep into it!

DISC

Join Melissa and Tabitha as they chat with Tracy Baker the brains behind @itsthedentalhygenius.  Tracy is a dental hygenius and the founder and owner of The Dental Hygenius, a dental development consultancy. Tracy helps dentistry-based entrepreneurs and wantrepreneurs monetize their brand, expertise, and services to create robust revenue streams. We chat on this episode about dental hygienists being an integral part of the production and heart of a dental practice and how production doesn't always have to be a dirty word.

#freeethedentalhygienists

Instagram:  @itsthedentalhygenius

The One About the Professional Comeback

In this episode, we chat with Jonneal Scott as she shares many of her personal experiences as a dental hygienist returning to the profession, gender inequality, racism, and sexual orientation.  Jonnie is looking to change the way the profession is viewed, and she is leading by example!

She proudly proclaims she is a queer black woman and there is space for everyone in the dental profession regardless of race, gender identity or sexual orientation.  

We thank Jonnie for her courage and strength to be authentic and vulnerable while raising awareness that we can all bring to our operatories.  Jonneal is here to disrupt the dental profession; we are excited to see how her journey unfolds!   

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review where you listen to your podcasts!  

Keep Disrupting!

XO,

Tab and Mel 

Episode Artwork by Word of Mouth Marketing 

Join us as we chat with Dr Camille Zenobia from the USA. Dr Zenobia is a scientist, innovator and Entrepreneur

Her Special interests and Passions include 
Oral health, mucosal immunology, microbiome, host-pathogen, infectious disease, skin biology, vaccine, adjuvant, inflammation/resolution, novel therapeutics, scientific writing and communication, project management, clinical design in oral and systemic health and all things Beauty.

We have a chat about her amazing career from hairdresser to scientist and the oral microbiome 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34078913/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35677024/ https://ossacare.com/

This episode FINALLY exposes how stress is silently destroying your patients' mouths! 🚨 Melissa and Tabitha break through the traditional dentistry noise to reveal the science behind why stress might be the #1 oral health saboteur your patients (and YOU) aren't talking about.

Key Topics Covered

🧠 The Science of Stress & The Oral Cavity (3:00-12:00)

• How the HPA axis is literally bathing your patients' mouths in cortisol! 💦
• The SHOCKING immune suppression that's happening beneath our patient's gingiva
• Revolutionary research that mainstream dentistry isn't discussing
• Why your patients' stress behaviors are creating a perfect storm for oral disease 🌪️

😬 Stress-Related Oral Conditions (12:00-25:00)

• Bruxism: The silent nighttime destroyer most dentists just band-aid with a nightguard
• TMD: It's not just about the jaw—it's about the WHOLE PERSON
• The stress-triggered conditions conventional dentistry misses:
  • Aphthous ulcers that keep returning 🔄
  • Lichen planus that won't respond to traditional treatments
  • Burning Mouth Syndrome—it's NOT just in their heads!
• The REAL reason periodontal treatments fail: STRESS! 🔥

🦷 What Dental Professionals NEED To Do (25:00-40:00)

• Ditch the antiquated screening methods and start asking the RIGHT questions
• Salivary diagnostics: The game-changing tool traditional practices ignore
• The MIND-BLOWING connection between stress, bruxism, and sleep apnea 😴
• Breaking the vicious cycle your patients are trapped in
• Revolutionary signs you should be looking for:
  • Scalloped tongues = RED FLAG 🚩
  • Constricted airways that are SCREAMING for attention
  • High-arched palates telling a story of dysfunction
  • Forward head posture that traditional dentistry overlooks
  • Morning symptoms that connect to nighttime problems
• Why collaborating with sleep medicine is NO LONGER optional! 🤝

Key Takeaways That Will DISRUPT Your Practice Tomorrow 💪

• Start seeing stress as the root cause, not just a contributing factor
• Implement stress screenings TODAY—your patients' health depends on it
• Stop treating symptoms and start healing causes—your oath demands it!
• Embrace the mouth-body connection that traditional dental education ignored
• Take care of YOUR stress, too—you can't pour from an empty cup! 🧘‍♀️

Because We ALWAYS Bring the Research Receipts 🧾

• Al-Jewair, T., et al. (2023). Association between obstructive sleep apnea, periodontal disease, and systemic inflammation: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

  Camacho, M., et al. (2021). Palatal expansion therapy as a treatment modality for obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews.

  Carra, M.C., et al. (2022). Sleep bruxism and sleep-disordered breathing: A systematic review of polysomnographic studies. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

  Gómez-Moreno, G., et al. (2022). Effects of psychological stress on the oral microbiome: A systematic review. Journal of Oral Microbiology.

  Iwasaki, M., et al. (2022). Association between salivary cortisol levels and periodontal clinical parameters. Clinical Oral Investigations.

  Lobbezoo, F., et al. (2023). Bruxism and temporomandibular disorders: A comprehensive review of comorbidities and management. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation.

  Manfredini, D., et al. (2022). Electromyographic assessment of masseter and temporalis muscles in individuals with different stress levels: A controlled study. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation.

  Martins, R.P., et al. (2023). Impact of psychological stress on periodontal disease progression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Oral Investigations.

  Mendes, F.S., et al. (2023). Cortisol levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews.

  Patil, S., et al. (2022). Psychological stress and oral lichen planus: A case-control study. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine.

  Peruzzo, D.C., et al. (2021). Psychological stress, salivary cortisol, and periodontitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Periodontal Research.

  Scully, C. (2021). Aphthous ulceration: A comprehensive review of etiopathogenesis. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine.

  Silva, L.A., et al. (2023). Burning mouth syndrome and psychological factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine.

Connect With The Movement 🔥

🚀 Join the dental revolution! 

🚀 Share this episode with colleagues who can benefit from this episode!

🚀 Subscribe to stay on the cutting edge of disruptive dental practice techniques!

Follow ➡️ @disruptingdentistrypodcast

Follow ➡️ @tabitha_dental_hygienist_

Follow ➡️ @itsthebadasshygienist

#DisruptingDentistry #StopBleedingGums #OralSystemicConnection #DentalInnovation #PerioHealth

On this installment of Disrupting Dentistry Tabitha and Melissa discuss bias in the dental practice for interproximal cleaning. How we need to look at every patient as an individual and give customized care plans that are evidence based, practical, needed and wanted. 

Legacy dental has set the standard for what a lot of dental professionals recommend to patients and its time to disrupt " I have always done this" and make " what's best for this situation" the standard of care.

This episode discusses the connection between dental hygiene and heart health and how critical the dental hygienist's role is in risk assessment.  

Melissa chats with our guest, Tiffany Dillion, as she shares her heartfelt story on why she became an EMT in addition to a Dental Hygienist. Tiffany will inspire you to re-calibrate with screenings we are taught to perform and the link between periodontal disease and heart health. Tiffany shares how critical it is to implement life-saving screenings and how RDH can help prevent heart attacks through proper medical intake, assessments, oral care patient education, and real-world strategies to elevate the care we provide our patients.

Tiffany's company, Scaling Up Innovations, offers BLS courses for dental practices.  

Get to know Tiffany: @scalingupinnovations

This episode will have you running to purchase a BP cuff and re-integrate this screening into your workflow.  

AHA Blood Pressure Categories:  HBP-rainbow-chart-English.pdf (heart.org)

Join us for the latest installment where we chat to Dr Melanie Hayes again about career development . We talk about being in a cross roads and what to do next, how to think about our career and what we would like from it 

to find out more about Dr Hayes check out the links below 

Website: nextstepdentalcareers.com.au

Find me on FB or LinkedIn – Next Step Dental Careers

Email: nextstepdentalcareers@gmail.com

Future events: https://nextstepdentalcareers.com.au/events

This episode we are excited to be talking with specialist orthodontist Dr Derek Mahony. 

Derek Mahony is a Sydney based Orthodontist who has spoken to thousands of practitioners about the benefits of interceptive orthodontic treatment. Early in his career Dr. Mahony learned from leading clinicians the dramatic effect functional appliance therapy can afford patients in orthodontic treatment. He has been combining the fixed and functional appliance approach ever since. His lectures are based on the positive impact such a combined treatment approach has had on his orthodontic results and the benefits this philosophy provides in reducing extractions of teeth.

On this episode we talk airways, function, growth, diet and everything inbetween in its relation to orthodotics 

It's National Dental Hygiene Month!  In this episode, your hosts chat about the Hx of dental hygiene and all the feels in between.  You are a superhero who has the opportunity to save & change lives every day! 

Drug dependance occurs whne you need on or more drugs to function and dependance can occur in over the coutner, perscription and illegal drugs.

On the latest installment of the podcast Tabitha and Melissa discuss drug dependancy satistics, social impact, hospilisations and the health and  oral health impacts for drug dependant patients

The One About an Alternative Career Path in Orthodontics 

In this episode, we chat with Cheryl Dey and discuss her alternative career path as a dental hygienist working in orthodontics.  Over the past ten years, Cheryl has honed her skill as an orthodontic hygienist through her work in one of the leading orthodontic practices in Australia, working at clinics in Adelaide and Melbourne.  She has attended specific orthodontic training around Australia and abroad and is passionate about helping change people’s lives by changing their smiles. 

Cheryl chatted with us about how her clinical days are very different from that of a conventional dental hygienist. She shares everything from patient flow to 3D scanning and how she ended on this journey into orthodontics.  

This interview will leave you inspired to discover your niche in dentistry. 

If you liked this episode, please leave us a review where you listen to your podcasts!  

Keep Disrupting!

XO,

Mel and Tab 

Episode artwork by Word of Mouth Marketing

In this episode of the Disrupting Dentistry podcast Tabitha and Melissa tackle the topic of Menopause and how we can support our menopausal women during this time of transition.     

The facts of menopause are very eye opening as Tabitha and Melissa review the multitude of symptoms in addition to the oral manifestations of menopause so oral health professionals can identify complications that can correlate with menopause symptoms.  This episode will help raise awareness of symptoms from menopause that manifest in many different ways. 

Menopause facts 

Crazy Hormones with Michelle

Thank you for joining us on the start of our journey in 2020, in this episode we wrap up 2020 the year that was like no other. We discuss the trials of the year but also some of the benefits and the good we will be taking from 2020. 

Thank you again for your support so far and we look forward to continuing our journey with you. Don't forget to share with a friend and leave a review.

You can follow disrupting dentistry podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin

On this episode we have a host chat about anxiety, what is anxiety and how it effects people who are living with it. We discuss treatments, side effects and how it can impact oral health 

join us as we try and smash through some of the stigma attached to anxiety and hopefully help make us all a little bit more understanding of those who are suffering 

Join us on the latest episode for a chat with the fabulous Nicole Fortune about using technology in dentistry.

Nicole shared with us her vast experience with lasers and periodontal endoscope and how she has incorporated this into her clinical practice.

This episode will leave you a little bit jealous if you don't use this technology but super inspired! 

Nicole Fortune 

In this episode Melissa interviews Eileen Prizzi, a seasoned dental hygienist, clinical adjunct professor, and oral systemic extraordinare.  

Eileen will drop many pearls of wisdom for the new graduates and seasoned dental hygienits alike.  You will feel inspired after listening to this episode!  Eileen touches on ergonomics, interviewing the practice, going on a "first date" before accepting a job offer, self advocacy  and many more! 

https://baledoneen.com/the-baledoneen-method/

https://baledoneen.com/bdm-books/

Episode resources:  

HIV/AIDS & Oral Health

We have released a special bonus episode for eating disorder awareness week.

As dental professionals we have a unique postion in the medical team to sometimes be one of the first health care team members to identify a potenital eating disorder.  

 We are not powerless in this situation, we can be life changing support as we  can support our patients in accesing treatment for their eating disorders and help minimise and repair the damage to our patients oral health. 

As dental profrssionals we can be the the best chance for some of our patients to have their eating disorder discovered and start the road to recovery.

Please be aware that some of today's episode realtes to confronting issues regarding eating disorder risk factoes, suicide/mortality rates and mental illness susceptability 

If you or someone you know suffers from an eating disorder help is out there and depnding on the country you are listening there are many resources available.

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support

https://butterfly.org.au/

Miranda Beeson is BACK for Part Two:  What is Trending in Dental Hygiene.  In this episode, Melissa and Miranda discuss the high salary demands from the ongoing workforce shortage and how that impacts the profession.  
The high hourly rate demands a high standard of care.  

There has been a shift in mindset regarding dental hygiene with the robust scientific evidence of inflammation and the oral microbiome.  People are realizing that it's not just about having a white, pretty smile; oral health is about maintaining overall health.  

Melissa and Miranda discuss how dental hygienists are called to begin to emphasize the importance of expanding their knowledge base beyond the conventional methodology in and out of the chair for our patients.  

It's an exciting time for dental hygiene as people become more educated and proactive about their oral health!  This episode will leave you inspired to raise the bar in your OP! 

Disrupting Dentistry Podcast – Season 4, Episode 1: Relaunching After a Year of Change

Hosts: Tabitha Acret & Melissa Obrotka

Release Date: January 16, 2025

Show Notes:

After taking a year off to adapt, reflect, and grow, the Disrupting Dentistry Podcast is back with a brand-new season! In this exciting Season 4 premiere, hosts Tabitha Acret and Melissa Obrotka, two leading experts in the world of dental hygiene, share what they've been up to in 2024 and what they're looking forward to in 2025.

In this episode:

• Reflecting on 2024: Tabitha and Melissa share their personal and professional journey, discussing the changes they've navigated over the past year, how they've adapted to the evolving landscape of dental care and the lessons they've learned.
• Exciting Changes in Dentistry: In season four, this duo will explore the latest trends, innovations, and technologies shaping the future of dentistry, from new tools and techniques in dental hygiene to the evolving dental patient and so much more!

Looking Ahead to 2025: With fresh energy and renewed focus, Tabitha and Melissa discuss their big goals for 2025. They give a sneak peek into some of the upcoming episodes, expert interviews, and new initiatives, including the oral microbiome, periodontal endoscopes, fluoride and so much more!

We want to hear from you!

We also encourage you to share your thoughts, feedback, and ideas for future episodes. Your voice matters to us!

Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram @disruptingdentistrypodcast
• Visit our website for more episodes and resources: www.disruptingdentistry.libsyn.com

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast!

Join Melissa and Tabitha for the last episode of season one dedicated to Dementia awareness month.  On this installment we discuss the prevalence  of dementia world wide, the social, emotional and financial impacts of the disease and how as Dental Hygienists and members of the health care team we can support our patients and their families 

On this instalment  of the podcast we talk with Australian Dental Hygienist Paulette Smith about her journey as a Dental Hygienist in Victoria Australia. When Paulette first graduated she found herself living in a state where Dental Hygiene wasn't legal and she then found herself on a journey for a fight to make not only dental hygiene legal but to improve access and quality of dental care for the people of her state. 

Paulette didn't stop disrupting there and has gone on to be one of the first independent dental hygienists in Australia as well as disrupting the home whitening market. Make sure you listen to the latest episode and learn how disrupting can make a difference.

This is a special episode dedicated to Mackenzie, Tabitha's daughter.  During this episode we discuss what are the different types of domestic violence and how as dental professionals we may be able to help with referrals to other services.

Please be aware this is an emotional episode, look after yourself.

Thank you to the Dreggs for permission to play "Give myself to you" at the end of the episode today. Please turn it up loud

May Mackenzie's memory be a blessing to everyone who knew her and may her tragic death be the catalyst for change

Australia 

1800 RESPECT

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/family-and-domestic-violence

USA

https://ncadv.org/resources

New Zealand

0508 744 633 Shine Helpline — free from any phone, 9am to 11pm every day.

UK

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/domestic-abuse/

Please consider donating to the WOMEN AGAINST ABUSE fundraiser in loving memory of Mackenzie Anderson. Mackenzie Anderson Women Against Abuse Fundraiser

This episode Melissa and Tabitha discuss tobacco trends, the rise of e-cigarettes and vaping along with risks and how dental professionals play a vital role in smoking cessation for patients

If you are listening from Australia todays episode can be self reported as 1 hour CPD

Link to VAPING FIX 

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-vaping-fix/id1562884524

https://www.icanquit.com.au/reasons-to-quit/smoking-and-your-health/health-dangers-of-smoking?gclid=CjwKCAjwn6GGBhADEiwAruUcKgKx49G-l8EYdvgFGqSVJftiCScuShlVVf0JzlgQC1OsTkHKzFjcixoCwXcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

On this installment of Disrupting Dentistry, we talk with the AMAZING Pamela Sargent from Maine USA. Pamela is in one of the three states in the USA where independent practice is allowed and we talk to her about her journey to owning her own hygiene studio and how she can now treat patients in the time and way she wants to, putting care as the number one priority. We promise you will be inspired! 

https://www.searsmontoralwellness.com/

https://www.facebook.com/searsmontsmiles

In this episode of The Disrupting Dentistry Podcast, Melissa (USA) and Tabitha (Australia) dive into communication's critical role in improving patient outcomes. From explaining the oral-systemic connection to collaborating with medical professionals, they share actionable strategies to enhance patient engagement and drive whole-body health. You'll learn how patient-centered communication, visual aids, and interdisciplinary collaboration can transform your practice and reduce systemic inflammation. Tune in for practical tips backed by science!

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why effective communication is essential for improving patient compliance and health outcomes
• Patient-centered communication techniques that enhance understanding and engagement
• The power of visual aids, including biofilm disclosing and voice-activated periodontal charting
• How to clearly explain the oral-systemic link to patients
• The importance of collaborating with other healthcare providers for integrated patient care
• Link to the episode referneced: The One Where We Talk About Communication

Key Takeaways:

1. Use patient-friendly language and open-ended questions to foster better communication.
2. Leverage visual aids and real-time technology to help patients "see" their oral health status.
3. Clearly articulate the connection between oral health and systemic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
4. Build interdisciplinary relationships to deliver holistic patient care.

References Mentioned:

• Bale, B., & Doneen, A. (2022). Beat the Heart Attack Gene: The Revolutionary Plan to Prevent Heart Disease, Stroke, and Diabetes.
• Epstein, R. M., et al. (2005). Patient-centered communication and diagnostic testing. Annals of Family Medicine, 3(5), 415-421.
• Gurenlian, J. R. (2022). Patient-centered care in dental hygiene. Journal of Dental Hygiene, 96(2), 121-127.
• Ha, J. F., & Longnecker, N. (2010). Doctor-patient communication: A review. Ochsner Journal, 10(1), 38-43.
• Ide, M., et al. (2016). Periodontitis and pregnancy outcomes. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 43(6), 524-530.
• Liccardo, D., et al. (2019). Periodontal disease and systemic inflammation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(6), 1414.
• Patel, N., et al. (2015). Real-time patient data and adherence. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 22(1), 74-80.
• Slack-Smith, L., et al. (2017). Interdisciplinary dental and medical collaboration. Australian Dental Journal, 62(1), 115-121.
• Slade, G. D., et al. (2020). Oral health and systemic disease links. Australian Dental Journal, 65(1), 58-64.
• van der Sluijs, E., et al. (2018). Biofilm disclosure and patient compliance. International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 16(3), 297-304.

Connect With Us:

• Listen wherever you get your podcasts
• If you enjoyed this content, please leave us a review
• Follow us on Instagram: @DisruptingDentistryPodcast
• Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.
• Share this episode with your dental colleagues!

Next Episode Teaser: Stay tuned for our next episode, where we explore how to prevent gingivitis by making it "sexy."

In this episode, we chat with Joseph Hanna, the co-creator of Bumbl Co Toothpaste. 

Joseph shared how he and his wife went on this journey to bridge the gap he witnessed in children's toothpaste.  Joseph walked us through how they worked to understand the market and identify a gap their product filled.  

Joseph shares everything from idea to concept to formulation, production, branding, packing, and distribution. You want to listen in just for his inspiration about this journey!  

Naturally Flavoured Kids Toothpaste - Bumbl Co Oral Care

Instagram: Bumbl Co (@bumblco) • Instagram photos and videos

Join Melissa and Tabitha for the last episode for 2021 where we talk about hand instrumentation verse ultrasonic scaling. In this episode we discuss legacy dentistry and hand scalers, evidence based dentistry and the time to shift to minimal intervention periodontal treatment. Its time to put down your weapons and join the revolution of do no harm