A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast

Jessica Atkinson, RDH and David Torres CRDH
  • 4.7 (213)
  • Life Sciences
  • Weekly

We created A Tale of Two Hygienists in 2015 because we are passionate about helping our fellow clinicians be the best version of themselves, both professionally and personally. We Interview experts in their fields to provide better care for our patients while promoting the joys of being a dental hygienist.

  1. 3d ago

    562 Evaluation & Documentation: Protecting Patients and Providers

    JoAnn Gurenlian returns to explore two essential parts of the dental hygiene process of care: evaluation and documentation. What may feel like routine clinical responsibilities can have a lasting impact on patient safety, continuity of care, professional accountability, and risk management.   Jessica, Dave, and JoAnn discuss how thoughtful evaluation and accurate documentation can strengthen clinical decision-making, support treatment modifications, and help dental hygienists deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.   What We Talked About The role of evaluation within the dental hygiene process of care   Why documentation is far more than a legal requirement   Common documentation mistakes and how to avoid them   How documentation supports continuity of care and patient outcomes   The relationship between evaluation, critical thinking, and treatment modification   Risk management and provider protection through accurate records   Documentation best practices for today's dental hygienist   How educators can better prepare students for real-world documentation expectations   Call to Action Take a fresh look at your documentation and evaluation process. Ask yourself whether your records clearly communicate what you assessed, what you found, how the patient responded, and why clinical decisions were made. Strong documentation is more than recordkeeping—it is part of quality patient care.   Resources and Links JoAnn Gurenlian on LinkedIn   Contact the Hosts Jessica Atkinson: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com Dave Torres: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

  2. Oct 21

    561 Diagnosis to Direction: Planning & Implementing Person-Centered Care

    In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave explore what happens after assessment and diagnosis: turning clinical findings into meaningful, individualized care. Karen Palleschi and Jennifer Pieren discuss how dental hygienists can use critical thinking, clinical judgment, and the ADHA Standards of Care to create person-centered plans that reflect each patient's needs, values, risks, and goals.   What We Talked About:   Translating assessment findings into meaningful dental hygiene diagnoses   Building individualized, person-centered care plans instead of "one-size-fits-all" treatment   The role of critical thinking and clinical judgment in implementation   How the ADHA Standards of Care support consistency, accountability, and professional autonomy.   Patient communication, shared decision-making, and behavior change   Challenges clinicians and students face when moving from diagnosis to implementation   Adapting care plans based on patient needs, values, risks, and outcomes   Call to Action: Providers, take a closer look at how you move from diagnosis to action. Consider whether your care plans truly reflect each patient's individual needs, priorities, risks, and goals. Look for opportunities to involve patients more fully in decisions about their care.   Contact guest via: Email: japieren@ysu.edu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-pieren-476804a1/ Instagram: @prof_jennifer_rdh ADHA Standards   Contact the Hosts Jessica Atkinson: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com Dave Torres: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

  3. Oct 14

    560 From Data to Decisions: Assessment & Diagnosis in Dental Hygiene

    Assessment and diagnosis are at the heart of patient-centered dental hygiene care. In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave are joined by JoAnn Gurenlian, Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, and Darlene Swigart to explore how dental hygienists can move beyond simply collecting patient data to interpreting findings, developing accurate dental hygiene diagnoses, and making informed clinical decisions.   The conversation examines the critical-thinking skills needed to connect assessment findings to treatment planning, documentation, and improved patient outcomes while also considering the future of dental hygiene diagnosis and professional autonomy.   What We Talked About   The distinction between assessment and diagnosis   Why diagnosis is an essential component of the dental hygiene process of care   Common challenges clinicians face when interpreting assessment findings   The role of critical thinking in moving from collected data to clinical decisions   How assessment and diagnosis influence treatment planning and patient outcomes   Documentation considerations related to assessment and diagnosis   Strategies for teaching diagnostic reasoning to students   The future of dental hygiene diagnosis and professional autonomy   Call to Action The next time you complete a patient assessment, pause before moving directly to treatment. Ask yourself what the findings mean, how they connect, and what they tell you about your patient's individual needs. Use that clinical reasoning to strengthen your dental hygiene diagnosis, treatment planning, documentation, and patient care.   Resources and Links Darlene Swigart on LinkedIn Ann Eshenaur Spolarich on LinkedIn JoAnn Gurenlian on LinkedIn Swigart, DJ, Gurenlian, J. Bringing Social Determinants of Health into the Dental Hygiene Diagnosis. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. 2026;24(1):32-35. Swigart, DJ, Gurenlian, J, McCracken, A. Integrating Social Determinants of Health Screening in Student Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice. J Dent Hyg. 2025;9(6):52-63. Swigart, DJ, Gurenlian, JR, Rogo, EJ. Dental Hygiene Diagnosis: A Qualitative Descriptive Study of Dental Hygienists. Can J Dent Hyg. 2020;54(3):113-123. Gurenlian, JR, Swigart, DJ. Dental Hygiene Diagnosis: The Link Between Assessment and Care. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. 2018;16(12):36-39. Gurenlian, JR, Sanderson, TR, Garland, K, Swigart, DJ. Exploring the Integration of the Dental Hygiene Diagnosis in Entry-Level Dental Hygiene Curricula. J Dent Hyg. 2018;92(4):18-26.   Contact the Hosts Jessica Atkinson: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com Dave Torres: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

  4. Oct 7

    559 Standards of Care: Why Dental Hygiene Must Own Its Professional Framework

    JoAnn Gurenlian joins Jessica and Dave for a practical conversation about the purpose, evolution, and everyday importance of the Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice.   From understanding the difference between standards of care and scope of practice to applying professional standards in real-world clinical situations, this episode explores how standards can help dental hygienists strengthen clinical judgment, documentation, ethical decision-making, and patient outcomes.   What We Talked About The purpose and evolution of the Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice   Why standards of care matter for every dental hygienist, regardless of practice setting   Common misconceptions about standards and scope of practice   How standards support clinical judgment, documentation, and patient outcomes   The relationship between standards, ethics, and professional accountability   How educators can help students move beyond memorization to implementation   Practical ways clinicians can incorporate the standards into everyday patient care   The future of standards and what dental hygienists need to understand moving forward   Call to Action Take a fresh look at the Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice and consider how they apply to your own clinical decision-making, documentation, patient care, and professional responsibilities. Whether you are a student, educator, or practicing dental hygienist, use the standards as a framework for putting evidence, ethics, and professional judgment into action.   Resources and Links JoAnn Gurenlian on LinkedIn ADHA Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice — Process of Care AAP Staging and Grading Periodontitis Chairside Guide — Periodontal evaluation Dental Hygiene: Theory and Practice by Darby & Walsh ADA CDT Codes Guest Contact: Joanng@adha.net Co-host Contacts: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com | dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

  5. Sep 30

    558 Bone Health, Hormones, and the Clinician Behind the Care

    Every patient who sits in our chair brings more than just a mouth with them. Hormones, bone health, medications, and life stage can all influence what we see clinically.   In this episode, Jessica and Dave explore the connection between hormonal changes, bone health, and oral health—and why dental hygienists play an important role in recognizing the clues, starting conversations, and helping patients get the care they need.   What We Talked About: How hormones and bone health influence oral health throughout a patient's lifetime   What clinicians may notice during puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, and beyond   Oral signs that may point to broader systemic or bone-health concerns   Why early screening can impact long-term health outcomes   Red flags and risk factors for premature bone loss and poor bone quality   How to discuss osteoporosis, bone density, and medications with patients   How to approach sensitive conversations with compassion and confidence   Three practical things every hygienist can start doing tomorrow   The Big Takeaway The mouth can provide important clues about what is happening throughout the body. Understanding the connections between hormones, bone health, and oral health can help clinicians recognize risks earlier and provide more informed, whole-patient care.   Contact the guest:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-evans-bs-mcl-rdh-thephrdh   Website: https://kristinevansrdh.wixsite.com/my-site-2

  6. Sep 26

    Net32 Podcast Chat- Periodontal Communication and Seed Planting- guiding a path to health

    Jessica and Dave welcome Dr. Pamela Ray to discuss how hygienists can improve periodontal communication, help patients take ownership of their disease, and guide them toward informed decisions about their health. This episode was brought to you by our friends at Net32.   What We Talked About: Overcoming barriers to periodontal treatment acceptance.   Using the oral-systemic connection to motivate patients.   Effective language and communication strategies.   Strengthening communication with periodontists, physicians, and referral sources.   Handling patients who delay or decline treatment.   Practical tips for creating meaningful conversations that lead to action.   Call to Action: Find your passion while practicing patient care.   Guest: Dr. Pamela Ray — drpamelaray@gmail.com   Hosts: Jessica and Dave — jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com | Dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

    Net32 Podcast Chat- Periodontal Communication and Seed Planting- guiding a path to health

  7. Sep 23

    557 Changing the Paradigm for Treating TMD

    Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) affect millions of patients, yet they remain widely misunderstood.   In this episode, Jessica and Dave explore a new way of thinking about TMD with Dr. Anthony Urbanek. After 36 years of performing TMJ surgery, Dr. Urbanek stopped and began researching the disease to better understand its causes and develop a nonsurgical approach.   What We Talked About:   Why the traditional TMD treatment paradigm needs to change   Common myths and misconceptions about TMD   The connection between occlusion, muscles, joints, inflammation, and symptoms   Why hygienists can be the first line of defense in TMD screening   Early recognition and practical screening strategies   Conservative, evidence-based approaches to TMD management   Helping patients understand their condition and treatment options   Where TMD research and treatment are headed   The big takeaway: The old paradigm treats symptoms. The new paradigm starts by understanding the disease.   Resources: www.urbanektmj.com https://www.dentalproductsreport.com/view/urbanek-tmj-device-is-designed-to-relieve-the-inflammation-that-causes-temporomandibular-disorder https://www.dentaleconomics.com/science-tech/article/14299097/taking-the-bite-out-of-tmd https://hub.dentalentrepreneur.com/podcasts/the-future-of-dentistry/episodes/2148166983       Contact Guest: tony@tmjservices.net   https://www.facebook.com/TMJServicesofBrentwood   https://www.instagram.com/TMJServicesofBrentwood/   Contact the Hosts:   Jessica Atkinson: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com   Dave Torres: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

  8. Sep 19

    Solventum Podcast Chat- Give your orthodontic patients a clear advantage with Solventum™ Clinpro™ Clear

    Orthodontic treatment can make oral hygiene more challenging, with brackets and aligner attachments creating areas where biofilm can accumulate and contribute to demineralization and white spot lesions.   This episode was brought to you by our friends at Solventum.   In this episode, Jessica Atkinson and Dave Torres discuss the role of fluoride in orthodontic prevention and how Solventum™ Clinpro™ Clear can help protect enamel while fitting seamlessly into clinical workflows.   What We Talked About   Why brackets and aligner attachments make oral hygiene more difficult.   The impact of biofilm and demineralization during orthodontic treatment.   The role of fluoride in orthodontic prevention.   How Clinpro™ Clear can migrate around brackets and attachments to reach high-risk areas.   Its fast-acting, 15-minute eat-and-drink time.   Its self-contained design for simple chairside application.   How Clinpro™ Clear can support both patient experience and practice workflow.   Resources: https://www.solventum.com/en-us/home/f/b5005503000/   https://s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/mmmspinco/clinpro-clear-brochure-ds-rps-enpdf   Contact the Hosts Jessica Atkinson jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com   Dave Torres dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

    Solventum Podcast Chat- Give your orthodontic patients a clear advantage with Solventum™ Clinpro™ Clear
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4.7
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213 Ratings

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We created A Tale of Two Hygienists in 2015 because we are passionate about helping our fellow clinicians be the best version of themselves, both professionally and personally. We Interview experts in their fields to provide better care for our patients while promoting the joys of being a dental hygienist.

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