The Inspired Hygiene Podcast

Inspired Hygiene
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Join Rachel Wall, RDH and founder of Inspired Hygiene, as she shares insights gained from over 20 years of experience observing thousands of dental hygiene operations. With a keen eye for what creates transformational change, Rachel delivers practical strategies that positively impact patients, practice owners, and dental teams alike. Each season focuses on a single powerful topic, breaking it down into actionable advice, authentic stories from the field, and tools you can implement immediately. Whether you’re a dental practice owner, dentist, dental hygienist or practice manager, The Inspired Hygiene Podcast offers thought provoking insight designed to impact both your clinical and business results.

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  1. EPISODE 1

    S4 E1: Powerful Partnership: Rebuilding the Dentist–Hygienist Relationship

    Welcome to Season 4 of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast. In this kickoff episode, Rachel Wall—Founder & CEO of Inspired Hygiene—sets the stage for a powerful, timely conversation the dental industry can’t ignore: rebuilding and strengthening the dentist–dental hygienist relationship. Joined by Emme Sanders, Lead Productivity Coach with Inspired Hygiene and Co-Founder of Collabricon, this episode explores why tension exists, why social media noise doesn’t tell the whole story, and—most importantly—how teams can move forward together in a way that creates a true win for patients, providers, and practices. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why the dentist–hygienist relationship matters more than ever in 2026 How mindset, self-reflection, and shared purpose shape sustainable partnerships The difference between “fairness” debates and measurable, sustainable collaboration A practical framework for healing tension and rebuilding trust within teams The “20–60–20” theory shaping today’s hygiene landscape—and where the greatest potential lies Why this season is an invitation to evolve dentistry and dental hygiene together This episode launches a season dedicated to connection, collaboration, and forward momentum—with upcoming guests including dentists, hygienists, industry leaders, and real dental teams who are building strong, modern partnerships every day. 🎧 New to the podcast? Be sure to explore Seasons 1–3, and check the Season 3 finale for a downloadable action guide to help you apply what you learn. 📌 Subscribe, leave a review, and join us this season as we work to redefine what’s possible when dentists and hygienists truly lock arms. #InspiredHygiene #DentalHygiene #Dentistry #DentalLeadership #TeamCulture #PracticeManagement #DentistHygienistRelationship #Collaboration #DentalPodcast

    33 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    S4 E2: Powerful Partnership in Action: Trust, Autonomy, and Healthy Teams | Dr. Pam Maragliano + Sarah Crow

    Powerful Partnership in Action: Trust, Autonomy, and Healthy Teams | Dr. Pam Maragliano + Sarah Crow Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast. In this episode, Rachel Wall continues the season-long focus on the powerful partnership between dentists and hygienists—and what it really takes to mend, strengthen, and elevate that relationship for the benefit of patients, providers, and practices. In this episode, Rachel is joined by an exceptional dynamic duo: Dr. Pam Maragliano — Editor-in-Chief of Dental Economics, former hygienist, board-certified prosthodontist, and practice owner of Salem Dental Arts Sarah Crow, RDH — Past President of the Massachusetts Dental Hygienists’ Association, former Dental Hygienist of the Year, and EMS Trainer helping teams across the U.S. integrate Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) Together, they share an honest look at how a practice can go from “getting by” to building a culture of clinical excellence, trust, and real collaboration—and why the dentist–hygienist relationship is foundational to everything from patient outcomes to practice performance. What You’ll Learn Why the dentist–hygienist relationship is central to practice culture—and patient trust How Dr. Pam rebuilt her practice by aligning the team around preventive excellence What it looks like when hygienists have autonomy with clear standards of care The “little things” that create a high-trust environment (and eliminate micromanagement) How to start the hard conversation when philosophy or expectations don’t match Why the next step for the profession is confidence: hygienists stepping fully into their role as preventive health specialists This episode is full of real-world insight, practical leadership perspective, and a clear reminder that partnership isn’t a theory—it’s a daily practice. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share, and leave a review—and stay tuned for more Season 4 episodes featuring practice teams and industry leaders who are building stronger partnerships in modern dentistry. #InspiredHygiene #DentalHygiene #Dentistry #DentalEconomics #Prosthodontics #GuidedBiofilmTherapy #EMS #PracticeCulture #DentalLeadership #Teamwork #PreventiveDentistry #PeriodontalHealth #HygienistLife #DentalPodcast

    38 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    S4 E3: Working Together for Team-Based Dentistry, Access to Care and the Future of Prevention with Crystal Spring (Smiles Across Montana)

    Working Together for Team-Based Dentistry, Access to Care and the Future of Prevention | w/ Crystal Spring (Smiles Across Montana) | Inspired Hygiene Podcast Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast. This season is focused on the Powerful Partnership—how dentists, hygienists, and the entire dental team can work together to strengthen culture, improve access, and rebuild trust across the industry. In this episode, Rachel Wall is joined by Crystal Spring, RDH, co-founder and Executive Director of Smiles Across Montana, a nonprofit portable dental program bringing care directly into schools, nursing facilities, and community centers throughout Montana. Rachel and Crystal connected recently at Dental Entrepreneur Women (DEW) in Charlotte, and quickly realized they share a common mindset: the future of dentistry depends on collaboration, innovation, and a team approach.  Crystal shares the real story behind building Smiles Across Montana: starting with two hygienists, navigating barriers tied to a limited access permit, and ultimately choosing to build a model centered on interprofessional teamwork—including dentists, hygienists, assistants, and community health partners—to deliver care at scale. In this episode, you’ll learn: What Smiles Across Montana is and how portable dentistry works in real life Why Crystal intentionally moved toward a dentist-inclusive team model to improve outcomes and continuity of care The role of fear and “territorial tension” in dentistry—and how it shows up in regulation and scope debates How Crystal views the evolving role of the dental assistant and preventive support (including OPAs) through an abundance mindset Why access challenges aren’t limited to rural communities—patients everywhere are waiting months for hygiene care Practical next steps to help dentists and hygienists heal relationships: meet, collaborate, solve problems together, and stop leading with attack Crystal also discusses the importance of professional advocacy and encourages clinicians to support organized dentistry and hygiene so solutions can be built with alignment—not conflict. Mentioned in this episode: Dental Entrepreneur Women (DEW): dew.life Smiles Across Montana: smilesacrossmontana.com Crystal’s focus on minimally invasive dentistry and innovative care delivery models- listen to this episode of Straight Up with Steph to learn more from Crystal Volunteer opportunity: Crystal shares details about an upcoming mission clinic centered around mental health and invites dentists, hygienists, and team members interested in volunteering to learn more through Smiles Across Montana. If you care about the future of prevention, access to care, and what it looks like to truly operate as one team, this episode will expand your perspective—and challenge the profession to move forward together. Subscribe for more episodes this season as we explore real solutions to rebuild the dentist–hygienist partnership and elevate modern team-based dentistry. #InspiredHygiene #DentalPodcast #DentalHygiene #Dentistry #AccessToCare #PublicHealthDentistry #TeamBasedCare #PreventiveCare #MinimallyInvasiveDentistry #RDH #DentalLeadership #DEW #SmilesAcrossMontana #OralSystemicHealth

    42 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    S4 E4: Trust, Team Culture & the Dentist–Hygienist Relationship | w/ Dr. Mike Sonick

    Trust, Team Culture & the Dentist–Hygienist Relationship | w/ Dr. Mike Sonick | Inspired Hygiene Podcast Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast. This season is all about one thing: rebuilding the dentist–hygienist relationship—and restoring the kind of partnership that creates better outcomes for patients and healthier, more sustainable practices. In this episode, Rachel Wall is joined by Dr. Mike Sonick—board-certified periodontist, renowned educator in implantology and periodontology, and author of Treating People Not Patients. While many practices have felt growing tension across the industry—capacity challenges, compensation pressure, burnout, shifting expectations—Dr. Sonick believes the root issue often comes down to one word: Trust. Dr. Sonick shares why trust hasn’t broken down in his practice the way it has elsewhere—and what he’s done (for decades) to build a high-trust culture through core values, protocol-driven systems, thoughtful hiring, leadership consistency, and clear communication. If you’re a dentist, hygienist, office manager, or practice owner trying to create stability, alignment, and long-term retention—this conversation is packed with practical takeaways you can start applying immediately. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why “industry tension” is often really a trust problem How Dr. Sonick hires for integrity (and what he listens for in interviews) The core values that shape his team culture (and why integrity comes first) Why protocols reduce ambiguity—and how ambiguity fuels stress and conflict What a real protocol manual looks like (and how to build one) How to give feedback that protects patients, strengthens teams, and improves outcomes How leaders can create accountability without creating fear Why team members must feel seen—and how that affects retention The mindset shift: building a practice around purpose, not just procedures About Dr. Mike Sonick Dr. Sonick is a full-time practicing periodontist, longtime educator, and author of seven books—most recently Treating People Not Patients, a guide to human connection, hospitality, and trust in healthcare. His mission: help dentistry deliver a better experience by strengthening relationships between teams and the patients they serve. 📌 Links mentioned in the episode (book, article, and resources) will be included in the show notes.   An article about the root problem of tension in the dental industry being a loss of trust https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jdd.70017 The Unseen Force Quietly Sabotaging Your Practice by Dr. Michael Sonick https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unseen-force-quietly-sabotaging-your-practice-michael-sonick-fwyhf?trk=public_post Books Treating People Not Patients (Dr. Sonic's last book):  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/84187926-treating-people-not-patients The Speed of Trust (written by Stephen Covey Jr., son of Stephen Covey Sr.) https://speedoftrust.com/ The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (written by Stephen Covey Sr.) https://pcm.me/the-7-habits-of-highly-effective-people/ The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande https://atulgawande.com/book/the-checklist-manifesto/   If this episode resonates, subscribe and share it with a colleague—because rebuilding trust in dentistry starts with better conversations like this one. #InspiredHygiene #DentalPodcast #DentalHygiene #Dentistry #TeamCulture #Leadership #DentalTeam #Periodontics #DentalImplants #PatientExperience #PracticeManagement #Trust #CoreValues #HygieneProtocols #DentalLeadership

    46 min
  5. S4 E5: Healing the Dentist–Hygienist Relationship: Compensation, Mindset, and Sustainable Partnership | w/ Trish Mooradian (RDH Trish)

    EPISODE 5

    S4 E5: Healing the Dentist–Hygienist Relationship: Compensation, Mindset, and Sustainable Partnership | w/ Trish Mooradian (RDH Trish)

    Healing the Dentist–Hygienist Relationship: Compensation, Mindset, and Sustainable Partnership | w/ Trish Mooradian (RDH Trish) | Inspired Hygiene Podcast Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast. This season is dedicated to the Powerful Partnership—how dentists and hygienists can mend, heal, and strengthen their working relationship in a way that’s sustainable for the patient, the provider, and the practice. In this episode, Rachel Wall is joined by Trish Mooradian (aka RDH Trish), a practicing dental hygienist with a candid, real-world perspective on one of the most tension-filled topics in dentistry today: hygiene compensation—and the mindset shifts that can transform burnout into fulfillment. Trish shares her full career story: starting out in difficult environments, experiencing emotional and mental burnout, and ultimately finding a new path forward through education, business awareness, and clinical confidence. Her journey is a reminder that what many hygienists interpret as “selling dentistry” can become something entirely different when paired with patient-centered communication, clear diagnosis, and a true understanding of the business side of care. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why the dentist–hygienist relationship has felt strained industry-wide (capacity + compensation + flexibility shifts) Trish’s honest experience with burnout—and how her career started to change when she changed her mindset The turning point that sparked a new approach to hygiene: production-based pay and intentional clinical care Why data matters: production reports, perio percentage, open time, and how to evaluate profitability responsibly How improved perio diagnosis and documentation can drive better outcomes—and fewer insurance denials The difference between “cutting appointment time to produce more” vs. building a smarter service mix Why learning and professional growth reignite engagement (and improve patient health in the process) How dentists can approach compensation changes with clarity, transparency, and support How hygienists can step into their role as healthcare providers by asking better questions and owning their impact Trish also shares how expanding her skills—through oral-systemic education and myofunctional therapy—opened up new opportunities beyond traditional clinical hygiene while keeping her connected to the mission of prevention and patient health. Follow Trish Find her on Instagram: @rdh.trish If you’ve ever struggled with the compensation conversation—or felt stuck between burnout and wanting more from your career—this episode will give you both practical direction and a fresh perspective on what’s possible. Subscribe for more episodes in this season of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast where we focus on Powerful Partnerships, rebuilding trust, strengthening team culture, and creating sustainable partnership in modern dentistry. #InspiredHygiene #DentalHygiene #Dentistry #HygieneCompensation #DentalLeadership #PracticeManagement #Perio #PeriodontalTherapy #OralSystemicHealth #DentalTeams #DentalPodcast #RDH #MyofunctionalTherapy #GuidedGrowth #TeamCulture

    45 min
See All Season 4 (5)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Join Rachel Wall, RDH and founder of Inspired Hygiene, as she shares insights gained from over 20 years of experience observing thousands of dental hygiene operations. With a keen eye for what creates transformational change, Rachel delivers practical strategies that positively impact patients, practice owners, and dental teams alike. Each season focuses on a single powerful topic, breaking it down into actionable advice, authentic stories from the field, and tools you can implement immediately. Whether you’re a dental practice owner, dentist, dental hygienist or practice manager, The Inspired Hygiene Podcast offers thought provoking insight designed to impact both your clinical and business results.

Information

  • Creator
    Inspired Hygiene
  • Episodes
    23
  • Seasons
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Inspired Hygiene Podcast