Straight Up With Steph

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , we dive into the often-overlooked topic of menopause and its impact on women's health, especially for those balancing demanding careers like dentistry. I share my personal experience navigating menopause and offer insights into recognizing perimenopause symptoms, managing hormonal changes, and understanding treatment options like hormone replacement...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , we dive into the journey of a hygienist turned entrepreneur who’s making waves with her mobile dental business. Shelley shares her favorite parts of being a dental hygienist, the ins and outs of launching a mobile practice, and how she navigates patient care challenges. We also explore the importance of oral health advocacy in care facilities, collaborat...

Join us for a deep dive into the career journey of Lynn, a trailblazing hygienist who’s leveraged her clinical skills in unique and impactful ways.  From her insights on networking effectively to navigating common issues with vision and loupes, Lynn shares valuable advice for clinicians at every stage.  We'll also debunk myths about implants, explore the essentials of speaking confidently, an...

In this episode, Jess shares her journey from dental assisting to becoming an educator and content creator. We discuss the importance of assistants and hygienists working harmoniously, her thoughts on assistants scaling, and solutions to the current hygiene shortage.  Jess also dives into her path toward founding Hygiene Edge, advice for aspiring educators and content creators, and why building a...

In our latest episode, Steph and Alyssa Aberle tackle a significant shift in the dental field: the ADA's recent resolution that allows internationally-trained dentists to work as hygienists in the U.S. without a board exam. The conversation starts by questioning the impact of this decision on dental care standards and what we, as professionals, can do to address any concerns. Alyssa stresses...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I catch up with Whitney, known to many as Teeth Talk Girl! We explore her journey through dentistry, her passion for battling healthcare misinformation, and how her entertaining videos blossomed into a thriving business. Whitney also shares why she’s working toward a doctorate, how she deals with negativity on social media, and the purpose behind her uni...

In this episode, Machele takes us on her journey into life coaching, sharing how she transitioned into this empowering field. We dive into the challenges of imposter syndrome and explore whether the thoughts we tell ourselves are actually true. Machele also gives practical advice for those navigating new career opportunities and provides insights on overcoming the habits of people pleasing. Tune i...

Ever wondered how dental clinicians can expand their careers into aesthetics? On this episode, Katie takes me behind the scenes of her journey into neuromodulators, covering both the cosmetic and therapeutic applications. We discuss what makes dental professionals a great fit for this field, the steps to certification, and why lip fillers hold a special place in Katie’s practice. Tune in to discov...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I sit down with Rafael, a dental hygienist who has navigated non-traditional roles in dental hygiene, from working in DSOs to coaching other hygienists. Rafael shares his journey, how his role as a hygiene coach makes an impact, and the challenges and opportunities he has faced as a male in the industry. If you're curious about non-traditional hygie...

In this episode, I sit down with Susan to discuss her personal injury journey and the crucial role disability insurance plays in protecting one's financial future. We dive into key topics such as understanding disability insurance, the importance of policy portability, taxable vs non-taxable policies, and why getting coverage early can make all the difference. Whether you're considering...

In this episode, I sit down with Anne, a brain health expert and dental hygienist, to explore the essential topics surrounding cognitive well-being. We break down the differences between Alzheimer’s, dementia, and general cognitive decline, dive into the risk factors contributing to these conditions, and share practical ways to protect brain health. From reducing inflammation to tips for talking t...

In this special episode of Straight Up with Steph , I sit down with my former boss and friend, Dr. Brett Kessler, the American Dental Association's President-Elect. We dive into his goals for his presidency, with a focus on wellness for both patients and dental professionals. Dr. Kessler opens up about his personal journey with substance use disorder (SUD), shedding light on the unique challe...

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph , I sit down with a fellow dental hygienist and entrepreneur Rachel Wall, who has built her own company dedicated to elevating hygiene teams and systems in dental practices. We dive into the importance of understanding the business side of dentistry, resolving the rising tension between practice owners and hygienists over wage increases, and how implementi...

Today, in part two of a two-episode series with my friend and corrective exercise specialist Brianne, we debunked myths about group fitness, posture bras, and bulking up. We also discussed exercises both to avoid and ones to focus on for hygienists. Brianne has been a Personal Trainer for 12 years and has various certifications, including Corrective Exercise Specialist, and is currently pursuing h...

Today, in part one of a two-episode series with my friend and corrective exercise specialist Brianne, we chatted about the musculoskeletal issues hygienists face and how she helps them. Brianne has been a Personal Trainer for 12 years and has various certifications, including Corrective Exercise Specialist, and is currently pursuing her Biomechanics Specialist Certificate. She has been helping RDH...

Today, my friend Britt and I chat about how we met, the ups and downs of dental conferences, being a content creator, and more. Britt is the creator of BrushwithBritt, a practicing hygienist, content creator, podcast host, speaker, writer, and more! We discuss some things about attending shows and being online that may surprise you; be sure to tune in! To learn more about Britt: ➡️ Instagram ➡️ Ti...

Today, I give you tips on patient positioning to reduce your pain and increase good ergonomics and efficiency. I demo occlusal plane placement and the difference between regular and ergonomic loupes. Timestamps: 00:00 - Why patient positioning is crucial for YOU 6:58 - On-demand course info 8:15 - Your elbow as a guide 9:49 - Maxillary positioning 12:29 - Cushion placement 13:30 - Direct your pati...

Hi! I have had many questions from followers about doing something outside of the operatory. I'm sharing what I know in today's episode, I hope you enjoy it! To watch on YouTube, click here Timestamps: 00:00 - Curious about alternative careers? 2:00 - My experience 5:49 - Crucial questions to ask yourself 9:25 - Want to be a speaker? 11:50 - Becoming a content creator 14:30 - Becoming an...

Today, we're dispelling myths about alcohol and discussing how it affects our physical and mental health. I hope you enjoy! To watch on YouTube, click here Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 4:02 - Why I gave up alcohol 14:47 - Myth #1: Alcohol is only bad for "alcoholics" 17:42 - What alcohol actually does in the body 21:19 - Myth #2: Alcohol helps us sleep 29:05 - Myth #3: "It's ok...

As a dental hygienist of 16 years, I'm excited to share what I wish I would have known as a new grad! Congrats on graduating school and I hope these tips are helpful. To watch on YouTube, click here Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 2:31 - From School to the Office 6:33 - Office Red Flags 10:05 - Office Green Flags 14:10 - Pay Isn't Everything 15:21 - Time Management 18:50 - Be a Sponge 19:14 -  L...

Today's episode we are discussing my favorite ergonomic products for dental clinicians! To watch on YouTube, click here 00:00 - Intro 2:26 - Hearing Protection 4:32 - Ergonomic Loupes 9:14 - Ergonomic Seating 14:29 - Suction Devices 16:42 - Ergonomic Instruments 20:49 - Cordless Handpieces 22:23 - Electric Handpieces 24:13 - Voice Activated Charting 26:19 - Wrap Up Click here for hearing prot...

 Today's episode is covering the Top 5 ergonomic mistakes I've seen doing assessments over the past few years.  00:00 Intro 01:56 Not Establishing Neutral Posture 06:19 Twisting and Reaching 12:38 Not Taking Microbreaks 16:23 Improper Patient Positioning 21:14 Excessive Grip 23:46 Recap To watch on YouTube, click here For my FREE Operator Positioning course, click here For my course, &qu...

 Hi, I'm Stephanie, a practicing dental hygienist and ergonomics specialist. I help dental and office workers with their ergonomics and posture through my company, Polished Posture. In this episode, we discuss hand/wrist pain and how this ONE habit could be the cause of it all. Plus I give tips on ergonomic instruments, my pet peeve about mirrors, and why you need suction devices. I included...

 Hi, I'm Stephanie, a practicing dental hygienist and ergonomics specialist. I help dental and office workers with their ergonomics and posture through my company, Polished Posture. In this episode, we discuss traditional vs saddle stools!  00:00 - Intro 1:57 - How to Adjust Your Stool 5:30 - My Beef with Traditional Stools 7:06 - Saddle Stools 8:25 - Picking Out Your Saddle 10:04 - 5 Stats t...

Hi, I'm Stephanie, a practicing dental hygienist and ergonomics specialist. I help dental and office workers with their ergonomics and posture through my company, Polished Posture . In this episode, we discuss all things ergonomic loupes! I'll demonstrate the difference between ergo and traditional loupes, and will answer the most frequently asked questions I get about these. 00:00 - Int...