Scaling the Truth with Alicia

Should you accept a 1099 position as a temporary dental hygienist? It's one of the most common questions I've been asked while speaking at dental hygiene meetings and events across Tennessee—and one of the most misunderstood topics in our profession. In this episode of Scaling the Truth , we're breaking down the difference between a W-2 employee and a 1099 independent contractor in pla...

Continuing education and networking are about far more than collecting CE credits. In this episode of Scaling the Truth , Alicia dives into why staying connected, educated, and engaged matters deeply in modern dental hygiene. From burnout and isolation to patient care, advocacy, leadership, and the future of the profession — this is an honest conversation about why professional connection still ma...

Dry mouth. Burning tongue. Changes in taste. More cavities. More mouth sores. For many women navigating perimenopause and menopause, these symptoms are very real—and far too often dismissed. In this episode, Alicia explores the connection between hormonal changes and oral health, shares her own experience with dry mouth and burning mouth symptoms, and discusses why dental professionals need to tak...

Dental anxiety is one of the biggest barriers to oral healthcare — and as dental hygienists, we see it every single day. In this episode of Scaling the Truth , Alicia takes a deeper, more personal look at what it really means to care for anxious patients through a trauma-informed lens. From emotional safety and shame reduction to practical chairside strategies and communication shifts, this conver...

The ADHA has officially adopted policy supporting an entry-level doctorate degree for dental hygienists by 2032 — but what would that actually mean for the profession? In this episode of Scaling the Truth , Alicia takes a balanced deep dive into: the reasoning behind the doctorate movement, comparisons to the physical therapy model, expanded scope and professional recognition, workforce shortages,...

The Oral Preventive Assistant model is gaining traction across dentistry—but what does it actually mean for patient care, access, and the future of dental hygiene? In this episode of Scaling the Truth , Alicia takes a deep dive into the OPA model, breaking down what it is, why it’s being proposed, and the growing controversy surrounding expanded preventive duties for dental assistants. From workfo...

Is fluoride helping—or harming? And where does hydroxyapatite really fit in modern dentistry? Let’s break through the noise and get to the truth about prevention, patient trust, and what actually works. In this episode of Scaling the Truth , Alicia Walker, RDH, dives into one of the most talked-about—and often misunderstood—topics in dentistry today: community water fluoridation and the growing sh...

Advocacy in dental hygiene isn’t just about legislation—it starts in the operatory. In this episode of Scaling the Truth with Alicia , we explore how everyday clinical challenges, workplace dynamics, and professional expectations all connect to the bigger picture of advocacy and respect within our field. Alicia shares personal experiences from over three decades in dental hygiene, along with insig...

Burnout is becoming one of the most talked-about issues in the dental hygiene profession — but almost no one talks about what recovery actually looks like. In Part Two of the burnout series on Scaling the Truth , dental hygienist and host Alicia Walker shares an honest conversation about what happens after burnout . This episode explores the emotional, physical, and professional realities many hyg...

Burnout in dental hygiene is more common than we talk about — and it’s not a personal weakness. In this episode, I share my personal experience with dental hygiene burnout, unrealistic workload expectations, and the emotional toll of full-time clinical practice. I open up about leaving a full-time office, transitioning into temping as a dental hygienist to regain work-life balance, and how continu...

Scaling the Truth with Alicia is a podcast created by a hygienist, for hygienists. Each episode dives into the real conversations shaping dental hygiene today—professional development, career growth, advocacy, and the clinical realities we live every day in the op. From honest discussions about burnout and boundaries to transparent product opinions and stories that are funny, frustrating, and pain...