Jessica Atkinson, RDH and David Torres CRDH

A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast

Science EN ↓ 1208 episodes

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.

Author

Jessica Atkinson, RDH and David Torres CRDH

Category

Science

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

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Episodes

497 Lobbyist Needed: A Quest For Advocacy with the Dental Hygiene Advocates of Washington 23.07.2025

This episode, recorded from RDH Under One Roof, is the epitome of commitment. These hygienists have undertaken the almost impossible responsibility that has been left unchecked in the state of Washington for dental hygienists and they are showing what true leadership in advocacy looks like. Join us as we catch up with Jennifer Frame, Christi Holbrook, and Colleen Gaylord to learn what they are up...

Ecstasy (MDMA): A Pharmacists Perspective with Tom Viola 21.07.2025

This week, pharmacologist Tom Viola gives us the rundown of Ectasy (MDMA) and its potential impact on our patients! Resources: Be sure to reach out to him if you have any questions by emailing  TomViola@tomviola.com , visit his website TomViola.com or check out his social media - @pharmacologydeclassified

496 Cyber Criminals Love Dental Offices with Paul Murphy 16.07.2025

Clinicians often do not pay attention to cyber security... thats for the owners and managers, right? Wrong! Cyber criminals have become so sophisticated, they can target anyone in the team and not in the way you think they might. Give this episode a listen with Paul Murphy to find out your role in keeping your patients safe and secure in their dental visits! Resources: Blacktalonsecurity.com  

Does Dentistry Even Work? with Andrew Johnston 14.07.2025

Albeit older statistics (from 2012) state that 91% of adults have had tooth decay and more recent statistics show almost half of adults over 30 years old have periodontal disease. At the same time in 2019 we had 87% of children see the dentist and 65% of adults went to the dentist. If people are going to the dentist, why do we still have crazy high disease rates? Lets discuss!

Digestion Starts In The Mouth: Saliva Wanted! with Dr. Derek Gatta 11.07.2025

We often discuss the need for saliva on the microscopic level as it relates to oral and systemic connections. Let's pull back just a bit to see a more basic issue - digestion. Salivary flow is essential in so many ways and its our role to provide practical solutions. Dr. Gatta joins the show today to discuss what solutions he recommends to patients.  **In Partnership with Risewell Resources: risew...

495 Clear Aligners vs Traditional Ortho with Dr. Ilan Abramowitz 09.07.2025

Growing up, braces were always wires and brackets and sometimes, for those lucky ones, headgear. Today the landscape looks much different and dental hygienists are often leading the discussions with patients, advocating for ortho treatment. On this episode, Dr. Ilan Abramowitz gives us insight to the raging battle of which is better: Clear Aligners or Traditional Ortho! Resources: Perfectfitortho....

When Should We Re-Evaluate A Perio Case? Ask the Expert with Katrina Sanders! 07.07.2025

Periodontal re-evaluation timing is essential for all therapeutic hygiene procedures... but when should this be done? We have heard a range of recommendations but listen in as Katrina breaks it down based on the case type! Resources: More Fast Facts:  https://www.ataleoftwohygienists.com/fast-facts/ Katrina Sanders Website:  https://www.katrinasanders.com   Katrina Sanders Instagram:  https://www....

PerioDT - A New Weapon for Gum Disease with Peggy Hanon, Monica Salerno, and Lindsey Mitchell! **Bonus** 05.07.2025

In this roundtable episode we are joined by Peggy, Monica, and Lindsey to talk about a new option for the everyday RDH, PerioDT. This product is multi-faceted and a potential game changer for every single patient we have sitting in our chair. Give this episode a listen if you are ready to take your practice to the next level! Resources: Booth number 406 at RDH Under One Roof youngspecialties.com @...

494 Dental Hygiene Needs Public Awareness Campaigns with Lisanda Maisonet 02.07.2025

The public simply has no real understanding of what a dental hygienist does.... for that matter, neither do many in the dental industry as we are continued to be looked at as tooth scrapers. Lisandra Maisonet joins the show to talk about a new awareness campaign aimed at helping to fight this movement called the Oral Health Awareness Project. Whether you contribute or not, there are valuable lesso...

The Hygiene Department is NOT a Loss Leader! 30.06.2025

I am over it. I am so incredibly over hearing how the hygiene department in any dental office is a loss leader. In this episode, I, in typical Andrew fashion, rail against the notion that hygienists have little value for a dental practice. If you are a hygienist listening to this episode you will get some useful tips on scheduling practices. If you are dental practice owner, you will get some usef...

493 Assistants Doing the Scaling, Is It Worth It? With Dr. Pam Maragliano, Dr. David Rice, Dr. Mia Geisinger, and Katrina Sanders! 25.06.2025

In this amazing crossover episode, guests Katrina Sanders and Dr. Mia Geisinger dive deep into recently passed legislation concerning dental assistants scaling. Is this good for our industry? Is it good for our patients? Is it good for, well.... anyone? Hear these experts discuss these points and also deliver an important message directed at dental hygienists! Hear the full episode here on Dentist...

Xerostomia - Not Just For The Old People! 23.06.2025

Everyone is experiencing dry mouth symptoms these days. The elderly might have systemic reasons, the youth are seemingly being prescribed drugs at earlier ages than ever, and people of all ages have behaviors or habits that are contributory. So what can we do? Give this episode a listen for a simple solution that works for all ages! **In partnership with Dr. Jen Oral Care DrJenOralcare.com for you...

492 AI Goes WAY Beyond ChatGPT, How Does This Impact Your Office? with Rita Zamora 18.06.2025

Artificial Intelligence continues to evolve. As clinicians we are starting to wrap our heads around how it might help us with chart notes, perio charting, and even interpretation of radiographs... but while we are stuck in this mentality, it continues to evolve and progress. Imagine a time when AI impacts hiring preferences, predicts expected pay based on experiences, or helps a patient decide if...

Methamphetamines: A Pharmacists Perspective with Tom Viola 16.06.2025

Meth... Should we still be concerned about methamphetamine or is this a thing of the past? What issues should we be concerned about with our patients presenting who are meth users? Listen to Tom Viola's short episode on the most recent updates on this crazy drug.  Resources: Be sure to reach out to him if you have any questions by emailing  TomViola@tomviola.com , visit his website TomViola.com or...

491 Introduction to LANAP for the Dental Hygienist with Jodi, Sam, Sara, and Amanda! 11.06.2025

Once you lose bone, you never get it back, right? Have you heard this before? I have too. Recently we met with a group of hygienists (Jodi, Sam, Sara, and Amanda) who work in a practice that offers LANAP for their patients as well as being a very laser-centric practice for perio therapy. If you are looking to be inspired by what is possible out there in the world of dental hygiene, give this episo...

Gut Health and Its Role in Oral and Overall Health - Ask The Expert with Machell Hudson-Hoover 09.06.2025

70 percent of our immune health originates in the guy and the term 'gut health' has been quite the buzz word the past few years as we look at linking the oral with the systemic. Often, however, the issue that clinicians have is about implementation of the knowledge. In this episode Machell Hudson-Hoover gives some quick tips to help you jumpstart these conversations with your patients! Resources:...

490 Are Dentists Good Leaders? with Carrie Webber! 04.06.2025

What does it take to be a great leader in your practice and who should that point person be? In this episode with Carrie Webber from The Jameson Group, we look at the make up of the dental teams and their practice and try to isolate the necessary components for success.  cwebber@jmsm.com https://ww1.jmsn.com/  

The Magic of Saliva: More Than Just Spit - Ask The Expert with Katrina Sanders! 02.06.2025

Saliva affects almost every part of our working day. The patient might have too much, too little, or a consistency of saliva that is abnormal. In this episode we listen to Katrina talk about the many aspects we need to consider to ensure our patients have the best shot at fighting oral diseases.   Resources: More Fast Facts:  https://www.ataleoftwohygienists.com/fast-facts/ Katrina Sanders Website...

Refer To Perio Specialty Sooner! with Laura Bettencourt, Danielle Avila, and Andrew Johnston 30.05.2025

What is your referral protocol for perio speciality? What kinds of procedures are you referring and do you feel like you refer often enough? Give a listen to this short episode as Laura Bettencourt and Danielle Avila give their experiences! Resources: @diamondgirlscoaching on insta ldiamantecoaching.com

489 For The Love of Pathogens with Beth Parkes! 28.05.2025

long time AToTH listener/supporter Beth Parkes. We focused the episode on pathology and adjunctive therapy as Beth has some sure fire ways to help promote patient health outcomes in whatever situation you find yourself in. Not every patient is the same, so not all treatment options will have the same outcome. Give this episode a listen to see how you stack up! Resources: The RDH View - https://www...

Magic Mushrooms (psilocybin) And Our Patients - Ask The Expert with Tom Viola! 26.05.2025

Not every mushroom is a mushroom and in this episode Tom Viola helps us dive deep into the topic of "magic mushrooms". There is a great chance you will not encounter this with your patients.. but just in case, we bring you some quick facts for the every day clinician!  Resources: Be sure to reach out to him if you have any questions by emailing  TomViola@tomviola.com , visit his website TomViola.c...

488 Fight or Flight with David Torres, CRDH 21.05.2025

David Torres, CRDH joins the podcast to talk about a little bit of everything. We talk career advancement, ergonomics, the educated patient, the power of positivity, the generational shift in attitude and where that is taking us and so much more! David exudes positivity... do you have someone in your life like that? Someone who gets you excited about things rather than bring you down? If not, find...

Microplastics in... Floss? 19.05.2025

There is a growing body of work that suggests microplastics are harmful. The scary part is that they are everywhere and incredibly hard to avoid but should we be concerned that it can be found in our floss? Give this episode a listen as we discuss a healthier alternative! **In partnership with Dr. Jen Oral Care DrJenOralcare.com for your free sample!

A Periodontist with Gingivitis? featuring Dr. Gordon Frasier and Tanya Dunlap! 16.05.2025

The best clinicians are those who can relate to their patients, who have a deeper understanding of the relationship between disease and treatment options. In this episode Dr. Gordon Frasier explains how his brief brush with gingivitis, coupled with his periodontal protocols, changed how he speaks with his patients and how he uses his own experiences to motivate and change behavior. ** In Partnersh...

487 Mobile Dental Sedation with Dr. Richard Marn! 14.05.2025

Sedation is a common need for a segment of our patient base, even more so for children. In this episode, Dr. Marn gives us a quick rundown of what the appointments look like, what gear anesthesiologist need, the handoff from dental office to the anesthesiologist, post-op recovery, and more.  Resources: The online Medical Emergency Readiness Index/ Scorecard:  https://emergency.scoreapp.com/ * note...

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