Disrupting Dentistry Podcast

Episode 69: The Hidden Harms of Vaping and Nicotine Pouches - What Dental Professionals Need to Know Hosts: Tabitha Acret (Australia) & Melissa Obrotka (USA)  Episode Description  In this critical episode, Tabitha and Melissa tackle one of the most pressing and misunderstood topics in oral health today: the harms of vaping and nicotine pouches like Zyn. Far from being "harmless alternatives," thes...

Beyond the Chair: Trauma-Informed Care in Dentistry Show Notes - Disrupting Dentistry Podcast Episode Description This isn't just about patient experience — it's about humanity, dignity, and creating safer, more responsive dental environments for everyone who walks through our door. In this powerful episode, Tabitha and Melissa delve into trauma-informed care, exploring why every dental profession...

Episode 67: Neuromarketing for Dental Pros: Understanding the Science Behind Effective Marketing In this enlightening episode, we delve into the fascinating world of neuromarketing with Yoli Dick, a seasoned expert with over a decade of experience at the intersection of dentistry and marketing. Discover how understanding the brain's 🧠 decision-making processes can transform your dental practice's...

Special Guest Dental Disruptor: Alan Timmerman , Oral Health Therapist & Specialist Periodontal Practice Owner In this groundbreaking episode, Tabitha sits down with Alan Timmerman, an Australian Oral Health Therapist who has shattered traditional career expectations by purchasing and running his own specialist periodontal practice. This conversation explores Alan's unconventional journey from cli...

This episode FINALLY exposes how stress is silently destroying your patients' mouths! 🚨 Melissa and Tabitha break through the traditional dentistry noise to reveal the science behind why stress might be the #1 oral health saboteur your patients (and YOU) aren't talking about. Key Topics Covered 🧠 The Science of Stress & The Oral Cavity (3:00-12:00) How the HPA axis is literally bathing your pati...

This episode challenges the dental industry's casual approach to gingivitis and reframes bleeding gums as a severe systemic health warning that demands attention! Melissa and Tabitha reveal why making gingivitis identification compelling to patients is crucial for oral and overall health outcomes. Link to Meissa's Post mentioned in the episode:   https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG0LnVGsrnT/?utm_sou...

In this episode of The Disrupting Dentistry Podcast , Melissa (USA) and Tabitha (Australia) dive into communication's critical role in improving patient outcomes. From explaining the oral-systemic connection to collaborating with medical professionals, they share actionable strategies to enhance patient engagement and drive whole-body health. You'll learn how patient-centered communication, visual...

In this eye-opening episode, Melissa and Tabitha dive into one of the most critical yet overlooked connections in healthcare: the link between oral health and cardiovascular disease. With heart disease remaining the #1 cause of death worldwide, they explore how chronic inflammation—particularly from periodontal pathogens—can silently drive heart attacks and strokes.   They break down the Bale-Done...

Disrupting Dentistry Podcast – Season 4, Episode 1: Relaunching After a Year of Change Hosts:  Tabitha Acret & Melissa Obrotka Release Date:  January 16, 2025 Show Notes: After taking a year off to adapt, reflect, and grow, the  Disrupting Dentistry Podcast  is back with a brand-new season! In this exciting Season 4 premiere, hosts  Tabitha Acret  and  Melissa Obrotka , two leading experts in the...

Welcome to the first episode of season 4!!!! On this installment Tabitha talks to Tanya Deacon a dental hygienist in Newcastle Australia on her journey from thought to action. Here about how to take an idea and action it into a finished product! Well done Tanya!

In true Disrupting Dentistry fashion, we are kicking off 2024 with an episode that tackles some provocative issues in dentistry head-on with repeat guest Kevin Oshani Lopez.     In this episode, Melissa and Kevin discuss some trending circumstances that US dental professionals face.  One particular topic they tackle is the RDH shortage and how the demand has driven up salaries.  For many, this see...

In this installment we continue with our chat on periodontal treatment planning. Mel and Tab talk about the importance of a diagnosis and prognosis for patients and, as per usual, some other random converstations and and giggles along the way    This is our last episode for 2023, and we look forward to catching up again in 2024!  

On this installment we talk to founder Rosi of About 28 functional toothpaste. Rosi is an OHT in QLD and trying to find an effective natural toothpaste was a challange so she made one!!  Have a listen and hear all about the process idea to reality ! about28    

In honor of Dental Hygiene Appreciation Month, this Host Chat episode is on Tabitha and Melissa's tackle standard of care in periodontal disease.  During this episode, we explore periodontal disease, assessments, and diagnosis and provide real-world strategies to implement in your operatory or surgery.  Listen in as they discuss establishing the standard of care for periodontal disease treatment i...

This episode discusses the connection between dental hygiene and heart health and how critical the dental hygienist's role is in risk assessment.   Melissa chats with our guest, Tiffany Dillion, as she shares her heartfelt story on why she became an EMT in addition to a Dental Hygienist. Tiffany will inspire you to re-calibrate with screenings we are taught to perform and the link between periodon...

Miranda Beeson is BACK for Part Two:  What is Trending in Dental Hygiene.  In this episode, Melissa and Miranda discuss the high salary demands from the ongoing workforce shortage and how that impacts the profession.   The high hourly rate demands a high standard of care.   There has been a shift in mindset regarding dental hygiene with the robust scientific evidence of inflammation and the oral m...

We enjoyed chatting with  Dr. Amanda Phoon Nguyen , an Oral Medicine Specialist, as she shared her clinical expertise in Burning Mouth Syndrome.   Here are some key takeaways: Oral Burning related to Burning Mouth Syndrome occurs from nerve damage to the small fibers of the tongue and also encompasses brain changes - trigeminal neuropathy.   The exact cause of burning mouth syndrome is unknown; in...

In this episode, we chat with Joseph Hanna, the co-creator of Bumbl Co Toothpaste.  Joseph shared how he and his wife went on this journey to bridge the gap he witnessed in children's toothpaste.  Joseph walked us through how they worked to understand the market and identify a gap their product filled.   Joseph shares everything from idea to concept to formulation, production, branding, packing, a...

In this episode, we dive into the world of dental consultant coaching. Our returning guest and friend, Miranda Beeson, shared how she transitioned from private practice to a Lead Practice Coach with ACT Dental. In this episode, Miranda shares how as a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches and insights. A master of commu...

Join us on our latest installment, where we chat with Dr. Bethany about her career. We chat about how she has built a business around promoting oral health and healthy behaviors for children. Dr. Bathany is passionate about changing the status of oral health in children, and her energy can be heard throughout the podcast. A little about Dr. Bethany  A qualified dentist and teacher, and award-winni...

This Host Chat episode of the Disrupting Dentistry Podcast is Part Two of our Three part series on Dental Anxiety and Phobia.  In this installment, we define the different types of dental phobias and the various techniques and strategies that can be used to help our patients overcome dental anxiety and phobia.  Tabitha and Melissa discuss the prevalence of dental phobia, its impact on oral health,...

Join us on the latest episode for a chat with the fabulous Nicole Fortune about using technology in dentistry. Nicole shared with us her vast experience with lasers and periodontal endoscope and how she has incorporated this into her clinical practice. This episode will leave you a little bit jealous if you don't use this technology but super inspired!  Nicole Fortune 

Join us for the latest installment where we chat to Dr Melanie Hayes again about career development . We talk about being in a cross roads and what to do next, how to think about our career and what we would like from it  to find out more about Dr Hayes check out the links below  Website: nextstepdentalcareers.com.au Find me on FB or LinkedIn – Next Step Dental Careers Email: nextstepdentalcareers...

On this episode we have a host chat about anxiety, what is anxiety and how it effects people who are living with it. We discuss treatments, side effects and how it can impact oral health  join us as we try and smash through some of the stigma attached to anxiety and hopefully help make us all a little bit more understanding of those who are suffering 

The One About the Professional Comeback In this episode, we chat with Jonneal Scott as she shares many of her personal experiences as a dental hygienist returning to the profession, gender inequality, racism, and sexual orientation.   Jonnie is looking to change the way the profession is viewed, and she is leading by example! She proudly proclaims she is a queer black woman and there is space for...