BrushwithBritt BrushwithBritt

In this episode, Jessica Woods, MPH, RDH, RDA and I discuss how dental hygienists are stepping into innovative roles beyond traditional clinical practice.





Particularly focusing on taking on the role of Clinical Advisor. We'll discuss the transition from patient care to shaping the dental industry through training sales teams, contributing to product development, and ensuring clinical accuracy in marketing materials.





Hear from Jessica who has expanded her impact by managing training programs, participating in regulatory strategies, and supporting quality assurance and product claims with her expertise.





This episode is created to inspire dental hygienists to consider ALL the opportunities available in the dental field, encouraging them to apply their skills to a variety of new settings.





Tune in to discover how dental hygienists are taking on non-traditional roles and what steps you can take to take on a similar journey.





Jessica L. Woods, MPH, RDH, Founder, seeks to empower the dental industry to a bright future by inspiring clinicians to reignite their careers. A 20-year veteran in the industry, she is a clinical product expert, thought leader, non-profit practice owner and sought-after mentor. Woods has spoken to thousands of dental professions across the country offering her unique experiences implementing dental implant programs and had lead product go-to-market strategies from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.

 



Affectionally known as the #ExecutiveRDH, she has scaled her way to the boardroom since graduation from West Coast University with Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and master’s degree in public health from A.T. Still University. She has been recognized as one of the 50 Top Teledentistry Leaders and Hygienist of the Year.



She has a strong passion for introducing others to alternative careers paths in dentistry and supporting them as they grow in the profession. She established the Dental Public Health Collaborative which offers post-graduate training and a mentorship network to her colleagues as they venture out of the traditional four-walls of dentistry.





Contact Jessica: jessicawoodsrdhap@gmail.com

In this episode,' we dive into the crucial role dental hygienists play in airway evaluation and the management of sleep-disordered breathing. Hygienists are in a unique position to identify signs and symptoms of sleep-related issues that often go unnoticed. We'll explore what to look for, the questions to ask, and how to initiate conversations with patients about sleep disordered breathing.



Bethany highlights the importance of continuing education in dental sleep medicine for hygienists, offering practical advice on where to start and how to integrate this knowledge into daily practice.



This episode emphasizes the importance of dental-medical integration, advocating for a more collaborative approach between dental professionals and medical providers to enhance patient care. We encourage our listeners to embrace the opportunities in dental sleep medicine, not only to expand their professional skill set but also to play a pivotal role in improving their patients' overall health and quality of life.

Whether you're new to the concept of dental sleep medicine or looking to deepen your knowledge, this episode is a call to action for hygienists to start to implement airway evaluations and become knowledgeable about dental sleep medicine. Tune in to discover how you can make a difference in the lives of your patients by educating on sleep disordered breathing.



Bethany Montoya, BAS, RDH, is a practicing dental hygienist, editorial director of DentistryIQ's Clinical Insights newsletter and a key opinion leader. She has advanced knowledge and training in complex cosmetic dentistry, dental sleep medicine, and implant dentistry. Recently, she has devoted her time to dentistry’s personal and interpersonal aspects through her social media brand, @humanrdh.



Contact Bethany at humanrdh@outlook.com

In this episode, we review the importance of performing oral cancer screenings by dental professionals. Early detection can be the difference between life and death, and dental teams play a crucial role in identifying signs of oral cancer during routine examinations. Join us as we learn about how to effectively communicate with patients and discuss techniques in screening. We'll also cover the potential risk factors and symptoms to watch for, empowering dental professionals to be at the forefront of oral health and cancer prevention. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the dental field committed to enhancing patient care and making a significant impact on public health.

Susan Cotten, BSDH, RDH, OMT, is CEO of Oral Cancer Consulting and developed the “Cotten Method”, an oral cancer screening method and dental office system. She is an international speaker on oral cancer and holds hands-on oral cancer screening workshops for dental professionals who want to have more confidence in screening, reduce the risk of liability, and increase early detection. In her career, Susan has performed over 60 thousand oral cancer screenings. She is the Dental Lead for the Alliance for HPV Free Colorado, an RDH Advisory Board member at The Oral Cancer Foundation, a director with Dental Codeology Consortium

Susan is a 2018 recipient of the Sunstar RDH Award of Distinction and recipient of the Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association Ethyl Covington Award and Outstanding Contribution Award. Susan founded MAD(Make A Difference) for Healthy Smiles as a 2010-2011 member of Donny Osmond’s Make a Difference program and received Volunteer of the Year from the Oral Cancer Foundation in 2011. On a personal note, Susan loves walking the beaches of Hawaii, is a former country dance competitor, and loves watching college football.

https://oralcancerconsulting.com/cotten-method-guide

Connect with Susan Cotten:
Email: oralcancerconsulting@gmail.com
@SCottenRDH

In this episode, Amber Lovatos and I discuss the dual life of being a dental hygienist and content creator. We'll share insights on staying authentic and the unique challenges and rewards of juggling these two roles. Whether you're in the dental field, a content creator, or both, this episode is packed with tips and inspiration to help you thrive in both worlds.


Amber Lovatos, RDH, BSDH, is a clinician, educator, author, and champion for public health issues, she inspires industry colleagues with unique stories that include triumph over abuse and discovering her identity as “The Latina RDH.” Celebrated as her family’s first college graduate, Amber holds a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from The University of Texas School of Dentistry She now hosts A Cuento De Dos Higienistas podcast. Amber is recipient of numerous national and state awards and academic scholarships including being named 2021’s Dimensions of Dental Hygiene Six Dental Hygienists You Want to Know & 2022 Sunstar Award of Distinction recipient. Amber is the co-author of Smiles Por Vida a Spanish & Spanglish not for profit children’s dental book. Amber is also the founder of Latin RDH, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering the Latin dental hygiene community.




Instagram: @thelatinardh
Email: amlovatos@gmail.com

In this episode, Stephanie Botts and I focus on dental ergonomics: ergonomic loupes and saddle stools. We'll discuss the benefits of how they reduce strain and explore how saddle stools promote better posture and back health. Whether you're a seasoned provider or new to the field, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their practice and well-being. In addition, we'll review recommendations on purchasing your own saddle stool.


Ms. Stephanie Botts has been a clinical dental hygienist for over 15 years. She is a Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist providing both in-office and virtual ergonomics consulting and coaching to dental professionals through her company, Polished Posture. She also provides CE to dental and dental hygiene associations on the topic of ergonomics. Her experience as a clinical dental hygienist and ergonomics expert has allowed her to recognize the unique challenges of practicing pain-free in the dental setting. Stephanie believes that by learning effective strategies to optimize proper ergonomics both inside and outside the operatory, dental professionals can practice pain-free and ensure career longevity.




Links: www.polishedposture.net


IG: @steph.polishedposture


Additional episodes with Stephanie Botts:

63. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

51. Ergonomic Loupes

47. Ergonomics




Ergonomic Instagram Highlight: @steph.polishedposture Title: Saddle Stools

Get ready for an extremely informative episode on the importance of teamwork between hygienists and dentists.

What makes this episode truly unique is our honored guest, Dr. Nolan, marking the very first appearance of a dentist on our show! Dr. Nolan brings to light the fundamental role of hygienists as the cornerstone of dental practices, emphasizing the connection between successful practice management and the seamless partnership of dentists and hygienists.

You won't want to miss this one!

Dr. Nolan attended the University of Illinois where he studied chemistry followed by Midwestern University for his DMD in 2014. His research focus is on the development of novel nanomaterials for use in preventative dentistry. He has published on a wide scope of topics including toxicology, remineralization dynamics, and nanotechnology. He is currently the Chief Science officer for Elementa Oral care, and has worked extensively on the development of plant based nanoparticles for their unique anti caries applications.