A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast

Jessica Atkinson, RDH and David Torres CRDH
  • 4.5 (2)
  • Life Sciences
  • Updated 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. 5d ago

    555 From Wear Facets to Wellness: The Hygienist's Role in Airway Health

    On this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave sit down with a dental professional who has spent more than 20 years in hygiene and noticed a recurring problem: patients whose bruxism and wear patterns pointed to possible airway issues were being referred for sleep evaluations, but too often never completed the process.   That frustration led to the creation of Orasom Health, a platform designed to help dental teams support patients from the first airway red flags in the dental chair through screening, diagnosis, and treatment.   What We Talked About How hygienists are uniquely positioned to recognize oral signs that may point to airway dysfunction.   Why patients so often fall through the cracks after being referred for a sleep evaluation.   How dental teams can better support patients throughout the journey from screening to diagnosis and treatment.   The important role hygienists can play in identifying potential airway concerns early.   The personal, unexpected journey that sparked this mission — beginning not through dentistry, but with an unfortunate near-death experience that changed the guest's life and set this work in motion.   The Big Takeaway Airway health doesn't have to stop at a referral. Dental hygienists are often on the frontline of identifying potential warning signs, giving them a unique opportunity to help patients take the next step toward answers and treatment.   Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aylee706/   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puz8YoY2_To     Contact the Hosts: Jessica: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com Dave: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

  2. Sep 2

    554 AI in Dental Hygiene: Tool, Threat, or Teammate?

    In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave explore the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in dentistry and dental hygiene. From clinical decision-making to education and patient care, the conversation examines where AI can help, where it creates new challenges, and why human judgment remains essential.   In this episode we talked about:   How AI is currently being used in dentistry and dental hygiene   Opportunities AI may create for clinicians, educators, students, and patients   Concerns surrounding ethics, overreliance, accuracy, privacy, and critical thinking   Whether AI should be viewed as a tool, a threat, or a collaborative teammate   The importance of human judgment, empathy, and patient connection in an increasingly digital environment   How educators can prepare students for AI-integrated practice settings   Practical ways clinicians can use AI responsibly and effectively   What the future of AI in dental hygiene might realistically look like   Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebayle/   Instagram: @saltcityhygi   Pearl: www.hellopearl.com   Pearl Case Studies and Guides: https://hellopearl.com/case-studies-guides   Contact the Hosts:   Jessica Atkinson: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com Dave Torres: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

  3. Aug 26

    553 High Standards, Human Teaching: Rethinking Rigor in Dental Hygiene Education

    What if true rigor in education isn't about making learning harder—but making it more meaningful?   In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave sit down with Marion Manski, MS, RDH, to reflect on a distinguished career in dental hygiene education. As she prepares for retirement, Marion shares how her philosophy of teaching has evolved, why high standards and compassion can coexist, and what today's educators can do to help students succeed without losing sight of their humanity.   This conversation is a thoughtful look at leadership, mentorship, and the lasting impact educators have on the future of the profession.   In This Episode:   How Marion's teaching philosophy has evolved over the years.   What academic rigor really means in today's educational environment.   Balancing high expectations with student support and empathy.   Advice for new dental hygiene educators entering academia.   Reflections on a career of teaching, mentorship, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.   Connect with Our Guest:   Marion Manski, MS, RDH Email: manskimc@vcu.edu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marion-manski-ms-rdh-839b0571/   Contact the Hosts:   Jessica Atkinson Email: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com   Dave Torres Email: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

  4. Aug 19

    552 Teaching Is Clinical Work Too: Preventing Burnout in Dental Hygiene Educators

    What if the biggest challenge facing dental hygiene education isn't recruitment or curriculum—but burnout?   In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave welcome Jasmin Haley for a conversation about the emotional and professional demands of teaching. Together, they explore why educating future clinicians is a form of clinical work in itself, how burnout quietly develops, and what educators and institutions can do to build more sustainable careers.   Whether you're a seasoned faculty member or just beginning your journey in academia, this episode offers practical strategies for protecting your well-being while continuing to make a lasting impact.   In This Episode   The unique causes of burnout among dental hygiene educators.   Why teaching is both clinical and emotional labor.   Balancing teaching, service, scholarship, and personal well-being.   Setting boundaries and creating sustainable workloads.   Recognizing the early warning signs of burnout.   Practical strategies for maintaining passion and purpose in education.   How academic institutions can better support faculty wellness and retention.   Advice for new educators entering academia.   Redefining success and productivity in an academic career.   Connect with Our Guest   Jasmin Haley Email: info@beyondtheprophy.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminhaley/   Contact the Hosts   Jessica Atkinson Email: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com   Dave Torres Email: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

  5. Aug 12

    551 Kindness in Education: Teaching the Whole Person

    In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave sit down with Dr. Glenn Canares, DDS, MSD, to explore how psychological safety transforms learning environments, why there's a critical difference between being nice and being kind, and how Hygienist and educators can challenge learners while fostering growth. Glenn shares practical strategies for modeling self-care, delivering meaningful feedback, and creating sustainable, high-performing educational cultures that ultimately improve patient care.   In this episode, we discuss:   Why psychological safety is essential for effective learning   The difference between "nice" and "kind" feedback   Modeling self-care and growth-oriented leadership   How kindness improves learning, performance, and patient outcomes   Sustainable ways to integrate kindness into rigorous training programs   Connect with Dr. Glenn Canares:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-canares/ Instagram: @oracleofkindness Email: glenn@oracleofkindness.com   Connect with the Hosts:   Jessica Atkinson: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com Dave Torres: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

  6. Aug 10

    Nordent Podcast-Chat: The sharpening Mistake Costing Dental Practices Time and Money.

    Why do so many dental professionals struggle with instrument sharpening, and what impact does it have on patient care, efficiency, and instrument longevity?   In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave sit down with Jennifer Simoncelli, RDH, to discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of clinical success: instrument maintenance. Jennifer shares what inspired the development of XpressEdge, how it simplifies the sharpening process compared to traditional methods, and the real-world results practices are seeing after adopting it.   If you've ever wondered whether your instruments are performing at their best, this conversation offers practical insights that every dental team can apply.   In This Episode:   Why instrument sharpening remains a challenge for many clinicians.   The inspiration behind the development of XpressEdge.   How XpressEdge differs from traditional sharpening methods.   Feedback and success stories from practices using the system.   The one thing every dental office should know about instrument maintenance.   Connect with Our Guest:   Jennifer Simoncelli, RDH Email: JSimoncelli@Nordent.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jennifer-simoncelli-rdh-64569a54   Contact the Hosts:   Jessica Atkinson Email: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com   Dave Torres Email: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com   This episode is brought to you by our friends at Nordent. To learn more about XpressEdge and explore their full range of dental instruments and products, visit www.Nordent.com.

    Nordent Podcast-Chat: The sharpening Mistake Costing Dental Practices Time and Money.

  7. Aug 5

    550 Tracking What Matters: Measuring Student Competence for CODA Accreditation

    What if the way we measure competence in dental hygiene education is missing the bigger picture?   In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave sit down with Sara Taft to explore how data can transform dental hygiene education. From simplifying accreditation to uncovering meaningful trends in student performance, Sara shares how technology is helping educators move beyond compliance and toward truly understanding student growth.   Whether you're preparing for CODA accreditation or looking for better ways to assess clinical competence, this conversation offers practical insights into the future of dental hygiene education.   In This Episode   The challenge that inspired a better approach to student assessment.   How technology helps measure competence beyond traditional grading.   Surprising trends and insights programs have uncovered through their data.   Using objective data while preserving the human side of teaching and mentorship.   Practical advice for educators navigating assessment and accreditation.   The future of educational technology in dental hygiene.   The one metric every dental hygiene program should be tracking.   Connect with Our Guest   Sara Taft Email: sara.taft@upscaleassessment.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-taft-08a83476/   Contact the Hosts   Jessica Atkinson Email: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com   Dave Torres Email: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

  8. Aug 4

    Not All 10% Nanohydroxyapatite Toothpastes Are Created Equal

    In this episode, Dr. Jen explains why nanohydroxyapatite should never be viewed as a commodity ingredient. From crystal size and purity to manufacturing processes and mineral composition, numerous factors influence how effectively a formulation supports enamel remineralization. She also discusses the importance of evidence-based product development, transparency in fluoride-free oral care, and why dental professionals should look beyond the label when making recommendations. In This Episode Why ingredient percentage alone doesn't determine performance How nanohydroxyapatite quality impacts clinical outcomes The role of crystal size, purity, and manufacturing methods The science behind biomimetic remineralization Why Dr. Jen's team selected premium eggshell-derived nanohydroxyapatite The importance of independent research and laboratory testing How dental professionals can help patients make informed decisions about fluoride-free oral care Key Takeaway When it comes to nanohydroxyapatite, quality matters just as much as concentration. Backed by science, transparency, and clinical research, biomimetic dentistry continues to raise the standard for preventive oral care. Resources: https://drjenoralcare.com/

    Not All 10% Nanohydroxyapatite Toothpastes Are Created Equal
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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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