Scaling the Truth with Alicia

Alicia Walker RDH,BSDH, FADHA
  • 5.0 (1)
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Scaling the Truth with Alicia is a podcast created by a hygienist, for hygienists. Each episode dives into the real conversations shaping dental hygiene today. From honest discussions about burnout and boundaries to transparent product opinions and stories that are funny, frustrating, and painfully relatable, this podcast is about elevating the profession without sugarcoating the truth. Featuring a recurring segment, Hygiene Unfiltered, listeners can expect candid conversations, real opinions, and voices from hygienists across the profession.

  1. Aug 7

    The Smart Temp Hygienist: Building a Flexible, Financially Sound Career

    The Smart Temp Hygienist: Building a Flexible, Financially Sound Career In Part 3 of Alicia’s W-2 vs. 1099 series, the conversation moves from worker classification and financial fundamentals to the practical realities of building a successful temp hygiene career. Alicia shares strategies for choosing assignments thoughtfully, negotiating pay professionally, building strong relationships with dental offices, evaluating malpractice insurance, tracking expenses, preparing for slower months, creating the ultimate temp hygienist “go bag,” and setting boundaries that protect both you and your patients. Whether you temp full-time, accept occasional fill-in shifts, or are simply considering temporary dental hygiene work, this episode will help you build a career that is flexible, financially sound, and personally sustainable. Have a temping story, question, or lesson to share? Submit it anonymously or include your name:https://bit.ly/scalingthetruthsubmit Follow Scaling the Truth with Alicia, leave a review, and share this episode with a dental hygienist who needs it.

    The Smart Temp Hygienist: Building a Flexible, Financially Sound Career

  2. Jul 24

    W-2 vs. 1099: The Financial Reality Every Dental Hygienist Needs to Understand | Part 2

    A higher hourly rate doesn't always mean a better opportunity. In Part 2 of this special series, Alicia Walker takes a practical look at the financial realities behind W-2 and 1099 employment for dental hygienists—especially those who temp or fill in. Rather than getting lost in tax jargon and complicated numbers, this episode uses real-world examples to help you understand what your paycheck may (and may not) be telling you. We'll talk about total compensation, benefits, retirement planning, workers' compensation, malpractice insurance, unemployment benefits, and why understanding your financial picture is one of the most important forms of professional self-advocacy. Whether you're a new graduate, an experienced clinician, or a career temp, this episode will help you ask better questions, evaluate job offers with confidence, and make more informed decisions about your future. In this episode: Why the highest hourly rate isn't always the best opportunity The hidden value of total compensation Financial considerations every temp hygienist should understand Questions to ask before accepting a position Why financial literacy is part of protecting your career Coming next: The Smart Temp Hygienist—practical strategies for building a successful, financially sound temping career, from setting healthy boundaries and evaluating offices to creating your ultimate temp toolkit. 💜 I'd love to hear from you! Share your questions, stories, or future episode ideas through my anonymous listener submission form:https://bit.ly/scalingthetruth 📧 Email: scalingthetruth@gmail.com If you're enjoying Scaling the Truth with Alicia, please follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with a fellow dental hygienist. Your support helps us continue having honest conversations that strengthen our profession—one episode at a time.

    W-2 vs. 1099: The Financial Reality Every Dental Hygienist Needs to Understand | Part 2

  3. Jul 11

    The 1099 Myth: Why Tennessee Dental Hygienists Should Think Twice

    Should you accept a 1099 position as a temporary dental hygienist? It's one of the most common questions I've been asked while speaking at dental hygiene meetings and events across Tennessee—and one of the most misunderstood topics in our profession. In this episode of Scaling the Truth, we're breaking down the difference between a W-2 employee and a 1099 independent contractor in plain language. Together, we'll walk through a typical day as a temp hygienist, discuss what the IRS actually considers when determining worker classification, explore why Tennessee's supervision requirements make this conversation especially important, and separate common myths from reality. I'll also share a personal story from early in my career about a costly mistake I made as a new temp hygienist—one that changed the way I approach worker classification forever. This episode isn't legal, tax, or financial advice. It's an educational conversation designed to help you ask better questions and make informed decisions before accepting a position. 🦷 The difference between a W-2 employee and a 1099 independent contractor🦷 Why temping does not automatically mean you're a 1099 contractor🦷 What the IRS looks for when determining worker classification🦷 Tennessee-specific considerations for dental hygienists🦷 Common myths surrounding 1099 work—and the reality behind them🦷 Why worker classification matters beyond just your paycheck🦷 A personal lesson I learned the hard way This is Part 1 of a two-part series. In the next episode, "W-2 vs. 1099: The Financial Reality Every Dental Hygienist Needs to Understand," we'll take a deep dive into the financial side of the conversation. We'll compare real-world paycheck examples, discuss self-employment taxes, Social Security and Medicare, retirement planning, malpractice insurance, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, business expenses, and how to evaluate a job offer based on your total compensation—not just the hourly rate. I'd love to hear from you! Have a question, a workplace experience, or a topic you'd like featured on a future episode? Or maybe you have a great Hygiene Unfiltered story to share. 📝 Listener Submission Form: https://bit.ly/scalingthetruthsubmit 📧 Email: scalingthetruth@gmail.com If you found this episode helpful, please follow Scaling the Truth, leave a review, and share it with another dental hygienist. Every share helps bring honest, evidence-informed conversations to more dental professionals. Until next time… keep asking questions, keep learning, and keep Scaling the Truth. In this episode, we'll discuss:

    The 1099 Myth: Why Tennessee Dental Hygienists Should Think Twice

  4. Jun 26

    Why Continuing Education & Networking Matter More Than Ever in Dental Hygiene

    Continuing education and networking are about far more than collecting CE credits. In this episode of Scaling the Truth, Alicia dives into why staying connected, educated, and engaged matters deeply in modern dental hygiene. From burnout and isolation to patient care, advocacy, leadership, and the future of the profession — this is an honest conversation about why professional connection still matters. Email me: scalingthetruth@gmial.com or Submit your stories and episode ideas here: https://forms.gle/BhnWxJAJPzboZkhs8 #dentalhygiene #scalingthetruth #dentalhygienist #RDH #oralhealth #dentalhygieneadvocacy

    Why Continuing Education & Networking Matter More Than Ever in Dental Hygiene

  5. Jun 12

    Dry Mouth, Burning Tongue & Being Dismissed: The Oral Health Side of Perimenopause and Menopause

    Dry mouth. Burning tongue. Changes in taste. More cavities. More mouth sores. For many women navigating perimenopause and menopause, these symptoms are very real—and far too often dismissed. In this episode, Alicia explores the connection between hormonal changes and oral health, shares her own experience with dry mouth and burning mouth symptoms, and discusses why dental professionals need to take these concerns seriously. Listener Submission Form: https://bit.ly/scalingthetruthsubmit Email: scalingthetruth@gmail.com #ScalingTheTruth #DentalHygiene #Perimenopause #Menopause #BurningMouthSyndrome #DryMouth #Xerostomia #WomenInHealthcare #OralHealth #DentalPodcast #RDH #DentalHygienist #PatientAdvocacy #WomensHealthMatters

    Dry Mouth, Burning Tongue & Being Dismissed: The Oral Health Side of Perimenopause and Menopause

  6. May 29

    “I Hate the Dentist”: Turning Anxiety Into Trust in the Hygiene Chair

    Dental anxiety is one of the biggest barriers to oral healthcare — and as dental hygienists, we see it every single day. In this episode of Scaling the Truth, Alicia takes a deeper, more personal look at what it really means to care for anxious patients through a trauma-informed lens. From emotional safety and shame reduction to practical chairside strategies and communication shifts, this conversation explores how small moments of compassion can completely change a patient’s experience in the dental chair. This episode is a little different than previous conversations. It’s slower, more reflective, and focused on the human side of dental hygiene — because trust matters just as much as clinical care. Topics include: Trauma-informed dental hygiene careDental anxiety and fearCommunication strategies for anxious patientsEmotional safety in healthcareShame and avoidance in dentistryPractical chairside comfort techniquesThe emotional realities of hygiene practiceIf you’ve ever had a patient say: “I hate coming to the dentist…” This episode is for you. Submit your story or topic ideas here:Scaling the Truth Submission Form Email:scalingthetruth@gmail.com #DentalHygiene #TraumaInformedCare #DentalAnxiety #ScalingTheTruth #RDH #DentalPodcast #PatientCare #DentalProfessionals #HygieneUnfiltered #OralHealth

    “I Hate the Dentist”: Turning Anxiety Into Trust in the Hygiene Chair

  7. May 16

    The Doctorate Debate: Is Dental Hygiene Ready for an Entry-Level Doctorate?

    The ADHA has officially adopted policy supporting an entry-level doctorate degree for dental hygienists by 2032 — but what would that actually mean for the profession? In this episode of Scaling the Truth, Alicia takes a balanced deep dive into: the reasoning behind the doctorate movement,comparisons to the physical therapy model,expanded scope and professional recognition,workforce shortages,rural healthcare concerns,educational accessibility,and what this could mean for the future of dental hygiene in states like Tennessee.This is not a debate episode. It’s an honest conversation about where the profession is headed — and who could be impacted along the way. Listener submissions:Scaling the Truth Submission Form

    The Doctorate Debate: Is Dental Hygiene Ready for an Entry-Level Doctorate?

  8. May 8

    The Oral Preventive Assistant Model: Access, Efficiency… or a Turning Point for Dental Hygiene?

    The Oral Preventive Assistant model is gaining traction across dentistry—but what does it actually mean for patient care, access, and the future of dental hygiene? In this episode of Scaling the Truth, Alicia takes a deep dive into the OPA model, breaking down what it is, why it’s being proposed, and the growing controversy surrounding expanded preventive duties for dental assistants. From workforce shortages and efficiency pressures to clinical judgment, patient safety, and the value of comprehensive preventive care, this conversation goes far beyond “who can do a cleaning.” This episode also features a powerful Hygiene Unfiltered listener story that highlights why assessment and critical thinking matter in every preventive appointment. Whether you support the model, oppose it, or are still figuring out where you stand—this episode is designed to inform, challenge, and start honest conversations about where dentistry is headed next. 🎧 Topics Discussed:• What the Oral Preventive Assistant model actually is• Workforce shortages and access-to-care arguments• The difference between procedures and clinical judgment• Risks of underdiagnosing periodontal disease• Education and training disparities• Prevention as a discipline—not just a task• The future of dental hygiene and preventive care 📩 Submit your stories, questions, or experiences for future Hygiene Unfiltered segments:https://bit.ly/scalingthetruthsubmit 📧 scalingthetruth@gmail.com #ScalingTheTruth #DentalHygiene #RDH #PreventiveCare #OralPreventiveAssistant #DentalPodcast #DentalHygienist #PeriodontalDisease #HygieneUnfiltered #DentalAdvocacy

    The Oral Preventive Assistant Model: Access, Efficiency… or a Turning Point for Dental Hygiene?
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About

Scaling the Truth with Alicia is a podcast created by a hygienist, for hygienists. Each episode dives into the real conversations shaping dental hygiene today. From honest discussions about burnout and boundaries to transparent product opinions and stories that are funny, frustrating, and painfully relatable, this podcast is about elevating the profession without sugarcoating the truth. Featuring a recurring segment, Hygiene Unfiltered, listeners can expect candid conversations, real opinions, and voices from hygienists across the profession.

Information

  • Creator
    Alicia Walker RDH,BSDH, FADHA
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Alicia Walker RDH,BSDH, FADHA
  • Show Website
    Scaling the Truth with Alicia