Straight Up With Steph

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I am joined by dental hygienist and anesthesia educator Tina Clarke to tackle questions and controversies sweeping the dental community over anesthesia. We cover everything from the new expansion of dental assistants’ roles, allowing dental assistants in some states to administer local anesthesia, the social media backlash Tina received as a result of th...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I am joined by Tom Viola, a renowned pharmacologist and nationally recognized speaker, to dive into the world of GLP-1 medications– think Ozempic, Wegovy, and the rapidly growing black market alternatives becoming more common. Tom unpacks how these drugs work, why they’ve become so popular, and some of the lesser-known (and scary) side effects popping up...

Have you ever found yourself endlessly scrolling on your phone, procrastinating on your to-do list, or feeling completely drained after work, and chalked it up as the usual side effects of adulthood and overwhelm? There might be something bigger going on. In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I am joined by Jenna Free, an ADHD therapist and coach (who lives with ADHD), to unpack the reality...

Did you know that dental reimbursement rates and deductibles have not increased since the 70s? It’s no wonder that dental insurance is such a loaded topic in our profession. In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I am joined by my friend and fellow dental hygienist, Bethany Montoya, to unpack the complexities and confusion surrounding dental insurance.  In our conversation, Bethany and I dive...

Have you ever considered breaking into the world of professional speaking, but weren’t sure if you were qualified or didn’t know where to start? In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I bring Jasmin Haley, a dental hygienist, educator, speaker, and entrepreneur, onto the podcast to share how she transformed her passion for impactful education into a thriving speaking business and how you can...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I am joined by Samantha Coxe, the creator and founder of Flaus, the first-ever electric flosser. As a lawyer and not a dental clinician, Sam brings a unique advantage point to her invention with a patient-first perspective. Flaus has received recognition on shows like Shark Tank and LIVE with Kelly and Mark, as well as publications like Time Magazine and...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I am joined by dental hygienist and educator Kristin Evans to learn more about what is known as the silent killer: osteoporosis. That’s right! Osteoporosis is not just a condition reserved for “little old ladies.” Rather, it’s a serious disease (that affects both men and women) that requires attention much earlier in life – as early as your 30s.  Kristin...

Have you ever wondered what the tongue tells us about our overall health? In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I am joined by Lani McBeth, an expert in tongue mapping and holistic dental hygiene, to unpack a unique corner of the dental world: how we can use tongue mapping to open the door for comprehensive patient care.  Not only does Lani unpack what tongue mapping is and what the differen...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , Dr. Mark Burhenne, famously known as “Ask the Dentist,” and I are diving deeper into the hot topic debate of fluoride vs. nano-hydroxyapatite.  With the rising controversy over the use of fluoride, Dr. Burhenne shares his insights on the systemic issues with fluoride, its potential toxicity concerns, and why nano-hydroxyapatite is undoubtedly the better...

In honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to bring you a special bonus episode of Straight Up With Steph, where Susan Cotten, a returning podcast guest, seasoned dental hygienist, and oral cancer specialist, presents a masterclass in oral cancer education.  This year, it’s estimated that about 59,660 Americans will be diagnosed with either oral or oral pharyngeal cancer. That’s over 160 Am...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , Dr. Marc Liechtung and I are unpacking the critical role that hygienists play in dental practices and the dynamics within the hygiene department. The sad truth is that hygienists are often underestimated and undervalued, focusing more on their daily production than their full value and potential.  Dr. Marc Liechtung, an experienced dentist and dental pra...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , Kathryn Gilliam and I are tackling one of the most pressing challenges faced by dental hygienists today: time management. While the expectations of dental hygienists keep growing, the time we have to meet these expectations is not, leaving many of us overwhelmed and on the verge of burnout.  As a time management coach and dental hygienist herself, Kathry...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , certified biological hygienist Kristen King joins the podcast as we explore a fascinating yet underutilized tool: dental microscopes. She shares her expert insights on how to incorporate a microscope into your practice, what training looks like to introduce this new tool, and how you can use it to enhance patient participation in their oral health and, t...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I am joined by Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth (aka Dr. Jen, Founder of Dr. Jen Natural) to unpack a hot topic in dentistry: nano-hydroxyapatite vs. fluoride. With controversy over fluoride arising, Dr. Jen introduces an alternative to remineralization and enamel protection by using nano-hydroxyapatite.  After her daughter developed C. diff following prolonged an...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , Sade Morel, another dental hygienist who made the leap from traditional practice models, outlines her path to building an independent dental hygiene practice in California.  Driven by the desire for autonomy and frustration with outdated business models limiting hygienists, Sade knew she wanted more from her career. After overhearing about a unique progr...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , dental hygienist and entrepreneur Jazmine Chavez shares her insights into breaking off from the norm and opening up an independent practice. With changes to legislation and the future of our profession shifting as we speak, I wanted to bring on a guest who can shed light on the options that are out there for dental professionals.  After working as a dent...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I am joined by returning guest Alyssa Aberle to take a closer look at the Dental Access Model Act, specifically looking at the Certification of Oral Preventive Assistants (OPA) section as introduced by the American Dental Association (ADA). We unpack what this is, what it means for the future of our profession, and what we, as practitioners, can do about...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , Melissa Groves Azzaro and I are unpacking the intricate relationship between nutrition, exercise, and hormonal balance! She dives into conditions such as PCOS and perimenopause, as well as shedding light on some of the root causes of fatigue, acne, weight gain/ difficulty managing weight, and hair loss.  As an integrative and functional women’s health di...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I am joined by Dr. Laura Brenner, a dental career coach, to unpack something I get asked about often: how to make the shift to a career outside of the operatory. While I did this myself, I had a natural calling to ergonomics so the transition felt seamless. But this isn’t the case for everyone. After 10 years and a rollercoaster of emotions, Laura made t...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I’m joined by Teresa Power to explore how better sleep can transform overall health and well-being. Drawing on her experience with oral appliances and sleep education, Teresa shares actionable tips on improving sleep hygiene, recognizing sleep disorder signs, and optimizing rest with the right sleeping positions and bedding materials. Sleep impacts every...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , brain health expert and dental hygienist Anne Rice returns to dive deeper into brain health. This time, we tackle stress, depression, and loneliness—key factors often overlooked in cognitive health. Anne shares how elevated cortisol from stress impacts the brain and offers mindfulness tips like yoga, meditation, and journaling to manage it. She also high...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , Hannah Hutson and I are unpacking the number one reason people avoid taking the first step to bettering their health– there is just too much overwhelming and conflicting information out there! Hannah is a no-B.S. fat loss coach who, after healing her own relationship with food, became determined to help others do the same, helping clients reach their goa...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I sit down with Tina, a dental hygienist, educator, and entrepreneur who has built an impressive career both in and out of the operatory. We dive into her journey into teaching, the transition from classroom to online platforms, and how her clinical skills have translated into successful business ventures. Tina shares her expertise in certifying dental h...

In this episode, I chat with Sarah Thiel, the co-founder of CE Zoom, about her incredible journey building a successful CE tracking platform from scratch.  Sarah shares how she started with zero business experience, tackled technical and entrepreneurial challenges, and navigated the unexpected opportunities and hurdles brought by the pandemic.  We dive into her insights on networking, the joys and...

 In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , we dive into the inspiring journey of Janet, a trailblazing dental hygienist who combined her passion for holistic health and mobile care to create a thriving practice. Janet shares her background in dentistry, how she built her company from the ground up, and the unique services she offers to patients. She also provides insights on elevating dental hyg...