Open Wide With Julio Podcast

This special Pride Month episode of  Open Wide with Julio  features the incredible Al an RDH from Canada who traded the operatory for the Pilates studio and found the courage to fully step into his authentic self. Al opens up about his coming out journey, navigating cultural expectations, finding acceptance, and discovering the freedom that comes with living honestly. From dentistry to movement, i...

In this episode I interview the fabulous Dr. Lisa Creaven who is the co founder of made by dentists. This incredible brand who is changing oral health care for the good. We go over the story behind the making of this company, and what it takes to get there. We also break down why you should consider made by dentists toothpaste, and the importance of label reading. She also shares the creative side...

On today's episode we go over the not so talked about mental health crisis during rigorous programs like dental hygiene school. I host the amazing Shelby, RDH and her truth on how she survived this extensive program, while holding on to her mental health. This episode is designed for the dental hygiene student or future dental hygiene students who struggle with similar issues, and how you can...

Hey pookie, welcome back to another episode of open wide with Julio, today's episode we talk about the life of an orthodontic dental hygienist, and how she started her business smile lab apparel. This episode is very informative and interesting, because ortho hygienists are not a thing here in California, which we need to get on that. Thank you for supporting this podcast and I ,and we truly l...

Welcome back to another episode of open wide with Julio, today we sit with the CEO of QUIP, Meredith, to tackle everything you need to know about the company and how she navigates running a successful brand. She gives us some insight into quips famous products and chat about the vision they would like you to understand.. Thank you for supporting this show, and follow for more future episodes. foll...

In this episode of Open Wide with Julio , we sit down with Kolbi, a restorative dental hygienist who’s redefining what it means to work in clinical dentistry. From placing fillings to balancing patient care with expanded responsibilities, Kolbi shares what it’s really like to step beyond the traditional hygiene role. We dive into how she manages her day-to-day duties, navigates the mental and phys...

In this episode of Open Wide with Julio, I sit down with the incredible Fiona RDH, widely known online as Mouthboxx . Fiona has built a powerful presence across multiple social media platforms where she shares honest, educational, and empowering content for dental hygiene students and new grads navigating the profession. We talk about how she built her platform, the realities of becoming a dental...

A Valentine’s special on Open Wide with Julio dives into the beautifully chaotic world of gay dating. From hookup culture and commitment fears to modern love, loneliness, and everything in between. Julio explores why connection can feel complicated in a swipe driven era, shares real talk about expectations vs. reality, and reflects on what it truly means to build something meaningful in today’s da...

This week on open wide with Julio, I’m joined by Florie Mancilla , a seasoned dental hygienist with 16+ years of experience in the field. We have an honest, insightful conversation about career longevity in hygiene , navigating school vs. real-world practice , protecting your body and mental health , and finding work-life balance in a profession that can be both rewarding and demanding. Florie sha...

In this episode, Julio sits down with Ani “Floss Fairy” Aniston to unravel the real journey from dental hygiene student to brand-new grad navigating life beyond school. The temping life and why it sounds so scary, Ani shares the wins, the curveballs, and the raw stories that don’t always make it into the textbooks from clinical rotations to first days on the job, managing nerves, building confiden...

Welcome back to another episode of open wide with Julio, on today's episode we cover sobriety, and what it took to get there. This episode isn't about quitting alcohol, its about choosing yourself. I get so vulnerable in this episode, and open up about my sobriety journey, the habits, and friendships I had to leave behind. The uncomfortable silence that came with starting over, no filters, no glam...

This week on Open Wide with Julio , we’re opening wide with Felicity , a dental hygienist who turned her passion for education into a full-blown brand and became a CEO in scrubs . From navigating hygiene school to realizing there was a gap in how students study and retain information, Felicity shares how she built Dental Hygiene Reference Cards and transformed a simple idea into a tool trusted by...

Dental hygiene is often glamorized, but what happens when the burnout outweighs the passion? Warning this episode does contain explicit content. I provide a comfortable space for my guests and I as a host match energy, we love to host a professional environment but we are also human. In this episode, I talk with AL, a dental hygienist who shares why he’s stepping away from the field, the mental an...

Social media gave me community, it showed me resilience, and it showed me to always show up for myself. In this episode of OPEN WIDE WITH JULIO, we dive into how I started social media, and how it was a scary place to be in the beginning ,and how far I've come since my first post ever. In this episode, I open up about building friendships online, outgrowing people, and why going back to school...

On this episode of the Open Wide Podcast , I’m so excited and grateful to welcome Sam , the Founder & CEO of FLAUS . We talk all about her journey as a founder, what it’s really like managing CEO life, building a brand with purpose, and balancing business, personal growth, and vision. Sam shares her story, the highs and the hard moments behind the scenes, and what it takes to lead with intenti...

In this Thanksgiving Special episode, we go all the way back to the 1600s to uncover what oral care really looked like before toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental offices were even a thing. From wild home remedies to survival-style hygiene, we break down how dentistry started and how insanely far we’ve come. This episode is all about education, perspective, and being grateful for modern dentistry....

This episode features Dana Paladino, RDH, the creator behind Dental Hygiene Basics. Dana shares her story, her goals for the future of dental hygiene, and how she uses social media as a powerful tool for education and mentorship. We talk about navigating school, building community online, and the importance of supporting the next generation of hygienists with resources, transparency, and real guid...

In this episode of Open Wide with Julio , I sit down with the amazing Dana Paladino, creator of Dental Hygiene Basics a platform dedicated to empowering future dental hygienists. We dive into her story, her “why,” and the journey behind creating a brand that’s helping students everywhere. Together, we strip down the layers of social media, talk about personal growth, staying authentic online, and...

In this episode of Open Wide with Julio , we dive into one of the most common questions hygienists and Student Dental Hygienists get: “Why not a dentist?” I break down the cost, time, and lifestyle differences and shed light on how dental hygiene gives me the perfect balance of purpose, freedom, and fulfillment. It’s not about the title, it’s about loving what you do every day. If you enjoyed this...

In this episode, I’m diving deep into The Chronicles of an RDAEF2 ! My personal journey of how I became a Registered Dental Assistant in Expanded Functions Level II. From the challenges and training to what we actually do in the dental chair, I’m breaking down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about this advanced role in dentistry. We’ll talk about how to become one, how much we make, and the...

What if the secret to peace is simply… letting them?  In this episode of Open Wide with Julio , I dive into the “Let Them Theory,” a mindset shared by @MelRobbins that completely shifted how I see people, boundaries, and peace. Tune in to hear how I’ve applied it to my own life and why sometimes, the best thing you can do… is let them. Follow me on all socials: TikTok & Instagram — @juliothefu...

Welcome to the very first episode of Open Wide with Julio! In this intro episode, He's pulling back the dental mask and letting you get to know the person behind the scrubs, his journey, his passions, and the why behind this podcast. We’ll talk about what to expect in future episodes from real conversations about dental life, student hustle, and self-care, to raw moments of healing, humor, and eve...