The Inspired Hygiene Podcast

The patient said yes in the chair. Then they walked up front and never scheduled. You're not alone — that gap between a clinical "yes" and an empty spot on the schedule is one of the most expensive disconnects in dentistry, and it almost always lives in the handoff between hygiene and the business team. In this episode, Rachel sits down with Lori Streeter — 37 years in dentistry across private pra...

Ever printed a "standard of care," had every hygienist sign it, then watched three clinicians deliver three completely different visits? You're not alone. In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, Dr. Andrew Matta — general dentist, co-founder of North American Dental Group (a 275+ location group he helped scale and sell), and founder of the Matta Group — makes the case that dentistry isn't...

What actually happens in the weeks before a hygiene coach ever walks into your practice? In this episode, host Rachel sits down with Driany Cruz, Inspired Hygiene's Director of Client Care, to pull back the curtain on the onboarding process that sets every coaching engagement up for success. If you've ever wondered why some practices embrace change with open arms while others resist it, the answer...

What does it really take to build an empowered hygiene team? In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, I sit down with longtime colleague and industry expert Janet Hagerman to unpack the systems, mindset, and leadership strategies that create confident, high-performing hygienists. We go beyond surface-level advice and dive into what empowerment actually looks like—from the hiring process an...

Most dentists say they want a clinical team that co-diagnosis — but very few have taught their team how to get there. The result: hygienists who feel like "tooth cleaners," and treatment plans that quietly die on the bracket tray. Rachel Wall sits down with Inspired Hygiene lead coach Connie Simmons — nearly 40 years of clinical practice — to break down what an empowered hygiene team actually look...

Overcome Resistance & Master Your Mindset in Dentistry What’s really holding your team back from growth? In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, I sit down with leadership and mindset expert Marni Blythe to unpack one of the most overlooked drivers of success in dentistry—mindset. We explore why resistance to change is completely normal and does not have to hold you back from growth....

Why do some dental teams embrace growth while others resist change? In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, I sit down with leadership communication expert LionSpeak founder Katherine Eitel Belt to discuss the mindset shifts and communication strategies that help dental teams create alignment, accountability, and lasting transformation. We dive into: ✔️ Why change feels difficult for team...

Are you or your hygiene team stuck in “routine mode”? In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, I break down why mindset is the key driver behind better patient care, stronger case acceptance, and long-term practice growth. We can implement all the protocols, systems, and scripts in the world—but if we don’t change how we think, nothing truly changes. In this episode, I walk you through how...

Clinical vs Business Leadership in Dentistry: Why They Both Matter.. A Lot What’s the difference between business leadership and clinical leadership? In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, I sit down with dental industry expert Perrin DesPortes to break down one of the most overlooked (and misunderstood) topics in practice growth: the difference between business leadership and clinical l...

What does it really take to lead a successful dental practice without feeling overwhelmed or burned out? In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Lindsay Langston of Perio Atlanta along with Geri Gottlieb and Kim Bates from GG Practice Coaching and Development. Together, we unpack the real challenges of dental leadership—and how to move from chaos to clarity through visio...

What’s really holding your dental team back—systems, or leadership? In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, I sit down with lead coach Emme Sanders to unpack the real reason many dental practices struggle to create lasting change. We’re kicking off Season 5 by diving into leadership—the foundation of every successful, aligned, and thriving team. We talk about what happens when positive le...

Invest Now in the Future of Dental Hygiene in Your Community | Season 4 Episode 10 Finale Access the resources mentioned in this episode here! In this Season 4 finale of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, Rachel wraps up the conversation on rebuilding the dentist-hygienist relationship with a hopeful and practical look at how dental practices can invest in the future of the hygiene profession. After a...

Solving Dental Workforce Challenges Without Lowering Standards  Dr. Kyle Bogan In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, Rachel sits down with Dr. Kyle Bogan to talk about leadership, solving workforce challenges, elevated patient care, and what it means to create a practice culture where hygienists are empowered to think critically, practice fully, and feel valued. Dr. Bogan shares his jou...

Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! In this episode, Rachel is joined by Dr. Bill Keith—Kansas City dentist, longtime Dental Success Network / Dental Success Institute contributor, and a leader who’s built a high-performing, multi-doctor, multi-op practice with a strong focus on culture, systems, and sustainable growth. Rachel and Dr. Keith first connected through DSN, then Dr. Keith hir...

From Chairside to C-Suite: Leading 260+ Hygienists + Building a Culture of Support w/ Misty Mattingly, RDH | Inspired Hygiene Podcast Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! This season is focused on rebuilding the dentist–hygienist relationship—because when providers collaborate with trust and respect, it creates a win for patients, the team, and the practice. In today’s episode, Rachel is...

Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! This season is all about rebuilding the hygienist–dentist relationship—because when the clinical team is aligned, everyone wins: patients, providers, the team, and the practice. In this episode, Rachel is joined by Dr. Brad Hughes, dentist, speaker, and CEO/Founder of Vision Dental Partners (10+ practices across Indiana, South Carolina, and Florida). R...

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, a...

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 b...

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 indust...

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. I...

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 e...

In this bonus episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, Rachel Wall breaks down the complete Inspired Hygiene System—a proven, holistic framework designed to help practices elevate hygiene services, implement clear systems, and build true team calibration. This episode delivers actionable next steps you can apply immediately to strengthen clinical outcomes for patients and business outcomes for the...

This episode of the Inspired Hygiene podcast digs into the #1 challenge dental practices still face—staffing—and how to innovate beyond “making do” to build flexible, stable teams that win in 2026 and beyond. Host Rachel is joined by Jennifer Steadman, Inspired Hygiene Director of Operations, to reframe flexibility as a strategic advantage, share modern recruiting playbooks that go far beyond job...

Before anyone calls, applies, or walks in, they’ve already met you online. In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, we dive into how dental practices and industry vendors can move beyond “posting just to post” and build a strategic, consistent social presence that attracts ideal patients, strengthens community trust, and even fills tough-to-hire roles. Guests Rita Zamora — Founder, RitaZam...

In this Inspired Hygiene Podcast episode, host Rachel Wall sits down with Alicia Maria, RDH (Hands-On Demand; Regional Dental Hygiene Coach at Dental Care Alliance) and Laura Nelson (Founder, Front Office Rocks; VP of AI at Mango Voice; author of Brush Up on AI) to show how practices move beyond dabbling and truly integrate AI and technology—clinically and operationally—to thrive in 2026 and beyon...