The Aligned Hygienist

Traditional learning in dental hygiene can often feel repetitive and uninspiring, but what if education could be engaging, interactive, and fun? In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist , I sit down with Maggie Moodie, a dental hygienist, educator, and founder of Play with a Purpose, a game-based learning consultancy specializing in dental hygiene education. With a background in public health, chi...

Burnout is a reality for many dental professionals, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your career. In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist , I sit down with Heather DeYoung, a practicing hygienist and burnout coach, to discuss the hidden dangers of chronic stress in dentistry and how to build a sustainable, fulfilling career. We get real about what burnout looks like, why so many hygienists ex...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist , I sit down with Heather Kenney, a Registered Dental Hygienist with nearly 20 years of experience across general practice, DSOs, periodontology, and holistic dentistry. As an HIAOMT-certified practitioner and oral health coach with Bristol Health, Heather is passionate about bridging traditional dental care with integrative health approaches. Her work focu...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist , I sit down with Deb Dencik, a Registered Clinical Dental Hygienist, Certified Ergonomicist, and Yoga Teacher, to discuss the intersection of ergonomics, innovation, and well-being in dentistry. Deb is a nationally recognized speaker and educator known for her expertise in instrumentation, AI, and ergonomic solutions for dental professionals. As the invent...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Debora Carrier, a trailblazing dental hygienist, inventor, and entrepreneur. With over 40 years of clinical experience, Debora shares her journey from dental hygiene to founding Twice as Nice Uniforms, a company revolutionizing medical and dental apparel with temperature-regulating technology. Learn how persistence, innovation, and a passion for supportin...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist podcast, Caitlin is joined by Janiece Ervin, the self-proclaimed “classy, sassy, and a little messy RDH.” With 20 years of experience in dental hygiene, Janiece has mastered more than just clinical work—she’s also become a pro at pivoting through life’s challenges. Janiece shares her journey from a failed business partnership to finding her footing as an en...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist podcast, Caitlin chats with Anne Rice, a seasoned dental hygienist with over 35 years of experience, who is making waves in the world of dementia prevention. Anne is a passionate speaker, writer, and consultant focused on educating medical and dental communities about the crucial link between oral health and Alzheimer’s disease. Anne dives into the risk fac...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist podcast, Caitlin welcomes Karese Laguerre, a registered dental hygienist and myofunctional therapist, to discuss her mission to connect oral health with whole-body wellness. As the founder of The Myo Spot, Karese helps patients of all ages address tongue ties, TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, bruxism, anxiety, and orofacial dysfunction through teletherapy. Kares...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist podcast, Caitlin sits down with Brandi Hooker Evans, a dental hygienist and trailblazer redefining patient care in dentistry. Brandi shares her unique philosophy of moving away from a “herding cattle” approach to fostering exquisite, individualized care for each patient. With her Idaho roots and sunny personality, Brandi brings a fresh perspective on cultiv...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist, Caitlin Parsons shares her personal journey with chronic pain and the wellness strategies that have transformed her career and life. Chronic pain is a reality for so many dental professionals, yet it’s rarely talked about openly. In this episode, Caitlin dives into the most common pain issues in dentistry—neck and shoulder pain, lower back strain, and hand...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist, Caitlin Parsons takes the mic solo to explore a topic that resonates deeply with dental professionals: mindfulness in dentistry. With her years of experience in clinical practice, Caitlin shares how mindfulness has transformed her approach to managing stress, improving focus, and staying present during patient care. In this episode, you’ll learn how incorp...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist , Caitlin Parsons welcomes Kristen Evans, also known as “The pH RDH,” a speaker, writer, and educator in the dental field. Kristen shares her unique approach to dental hygiene that goes beyond the mouth, emphasizing the critical role of pH balance in oral and overall health. Listen as Kristen discusses her journey, her commitment to lifelong learning, and h...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist , Caitlin Parsons welcomes Brittany Cox, a dental hygienist passionate about sustainability in the dental industry. Together, they dive into the intersection of preventive care and eco-conscious practices, exploring how dental professionals can make a positive impact on both patient health and the planet. Brittany shares actionable insights on reducing wast...

In this episode, I sit down with Erin Haley Hitz, President of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), to explore the critical challenges and opportunities facing dental hygienists today. Erin shares her journey from practicing clinician to leading the ADHA, offering valuable insights on how the profession can evolve to meet the needs of a changing dental hygiene landscape. From workfo...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist , I chat with Kristen Geist, a dental professional whose journey through airway health has transformed her approach to patient care. Diagnosed with upper airway resistance syndrome herself, Kristen shares how her personal experiences inspired her to become an advocate for sleep apnea awareness and the importance of airway health. Listen in as we dive into h...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist , I sit down with AnnMarie DePalma, a seasoned dental professional and educator known for her advocacy around dental hygiene onboarding and team-based continuing education. AnnMarie shares her journey from clinical practice to becoming a sought-after coach for dental teams, highlighting her insights on the importance of thorough onboarding and consistent pr...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist , I sit down with Lily, a dental coach who started her journey in the industry as a dental assistant – and her story is anything but typical. What began with a spur-of-the-moment job offer during a root canal turned into a fulfilling career in practice management. Lily shares how she made the transition from hands-on clinical work to coaching, with a focus...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist podcast, we’re diving into a topic that’s crucial for every dental practice: ergonomics. As dental professionals, we face unique physical challenges every day—static postures, repetitive movements, and less-than-ideal workspace setups. But did you know that these issues can lead to chronic pain, reduced productivity, and even higher turnover rates? That’s w...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist podcast, I open up about my personal battle with carpal tunnel syndrome—a journey that began while I was working at the front desk of a dental office before becoming a licensed dental hygienist. I share how the pain crept in slowly, how it intensified to the point where it affected everyday tasks like opening jars, and the emotional toll it took on me. But...

In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist, I sit down with Linda Miller, the founder of PDT (Paradise Dental Technologies), at RDH Under One Roof 2024. Linda shares her inspiring journey to launching PDT, where she combines her passion for ergonomic instruments with a mission to empower dental professionals. We discuss the importance of ergonomics in dentistry, how PDT’s innovative tools are changi...

Welcome back to another episode of The Aligned Hygienist! This week, I chatted with Amanda Hill, a keynote speaker and dental hygiene educator, at RDH Under One Roof 2024. In this episode, Amanda shares her journey to becoming a mega-session speaker and how embracing curiosity has fueled her personal and professional growth. We explore the concept of curiosity in the dental field, exploring how st...

Welcome back to another episode of The Aligned Hygienist! This week, I talked with Crystal Kingsbury, a dental hygienist turned sales rep for Andau Medical, known for their innovative ergonomic loupes, while at RDH Under One Roof 2024. In this episode, Crystal shares her inspiring journey from clinical dentistry to the sales world, offering valuable insights from her recent article in RDH Magazine...

In this solo episode of "The Aligned Hygienist Podcast," we explore ergonomic excellence in dentistry. Discover practical strategies to prevent work-related injuries and enhance your overall well-being as a dental hygienist. Learn about common musculoskeletal issues in the field and how to address them through proper posture, equipment usage, and workspace adjustments.  This episode prov...

In this solo episode of The Aligned Hygienist Podcast, Caitlin Parsons, a practicing dental hygienist of 15 years, chronic pain survivor, yoga therapist, ergonomics expert, and founder of The Aligned Hygienist, shares the importance of incorporating chairside stretches into your daily routine.  Caitlin offers practical stretches that can be easily performed between patients to alleviate tension an...

Are you interested in learning more about saddle stools, their benefits, and how to find the right one? If that's you, this episode is definitely for you! In this episode, I discuss saddle stools and what you need to know when selecting a saddle stool for you. I review the differences between a cheaper saddle stool vs. a saddle stool made for dental professionals, and I share some of my favor...