The Inspired Hygiene Podcast

Clinical vs Business Leadership in Dentistry: Why They Both Matter.. A Lot What’s the difference between business leadership and clinical leadership? In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, I sit down with dental industry expert Perrin DesPortes to break down one of the most overlooked (and misunderstood) topics in practice growth: the difference between business leadership and clinical l...

What does it really take to lead a successful dental practice without feeling overwhelmed or burned out? In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Lindsay Langston of Perio Atlanta along with Geri Gottlieb and Kim Bates from GG Practice Coaching and Development. Together, we unpack the real challenges of dental leadership—and how to move from chaos to clarity through visio...

What’s really holding your dental team back—systems, or leadership? In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, I sit down with lead coach Emme Sanders to unpack the real reason many dental practices struggle to create lasting change. We’re kicking off Season 5 by diving into leadership—the foundation of every successful, aligned, and thriving team. We talk about what happens when positive le...

Invest Now in the Future of Dental Hygiene in Your Community | Season 4 Episode 10 Finale Access the resources mentioned in this episode here! In this Season 4 finale of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, Rachel wraps up the conversation on rebuilding the dentist-hygienist relationship with a hopeful and practical look at how dental practices can invest in the future of the hygiene profession. After a...

Solving Dental Workforce Challenges Without Lowering Standards  Dr. Kyle Bogan In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, Rachel sits down with Dr. Kyle Bogan to talk about leadership, solving workforce challenges, elevated patient care, and what it means to create a practice culture where hygienists are empowered to think critically, practice fully, and feel valued. Dr. Bogan shares his jou...

Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! In this episode, Rachel is joined by Dr. Bill Keith—Kansas City dentist, longtime Dental Success Network / Dental Success Institute contributor, and a leader who’s built a high-performing, multi-doctor, multi-op practice with a strong focus on culture, systems, and sustainable growth. Rachel and Dr. Keith first connected through DSN, then Dr. Keith hir...

From Chairside to C-Suite: Leading 260+ Hygienists + Building a Culture of Support w/ Misty Mattingly, RDH | Inspired Hygiene Podcast Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! This season is focused on rebuilding the dentist–hygienist relationship—because when providers collaborate with trust and respect, it creates a win for patients, the team, and the practice. In today’s episode, Rachel is...

Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! This season is all about rebuilding the hygienist–dentist relationship—because when the clinical team is aligned, everyone wins: patients, providers, the team, and the practice. In this episode, Rachel is joined by Dr. Brad Hughes, dentist, speaker, and CEO/Founder of Vision Dental Partners (10+ practices across Indiana, South Carolina, and Florida). R...

Healing the Dentist–Hygienist Relationship: Compensation, Mindset, and Sustainable Partnership | w/ Trish Mooradian (RDH Trish) | Inspired Hygiene Podcast Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast. This season is dedicated to the Powerful Partnership—how dentists and hygienists can mend, heal, and strengthen their working relationship in a way that’s sustainable for the patient, the provider, a...

Trust, Team Culture & the Dentist–Hygienist Relationship | w/ Dr. Mike Sonick | Inspired Hygiene Podcast Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast. This season is all about one thing: rebuilding the dentist–hygienist relationship—and restoring the kind of partnership that creates better outcomes for patients and healthier, more sustainable practices. In this episode, Rachel Wall is joined b...

Working Together for Team-Based Dentistry, Access to Care and the Future of Prevention | w/ Crystal Spring (Smiles Across Montana) | Inspired Hygiene Podcast Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast. This season is focused on the Powerful Partnership—how dentists, hygienists, and the entire dental team can work together to strengthen culture, improve access, and rebuild trust across the indust...

Powerful Partnership in Action: Trust, Autonomy, and Healthy Teams | Dr. Pam Maragliano + Sarah Crow Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast. In this episode, Rachel Wall continues the season-long focus on the powerful partnership between dentists and hygienists—and what it really takes to mend, strengthen, and elevate that relationship for the benefit of patients, providers, and practices. I...

Welcome to Season 4 of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast. In this kickoff episode, Rachel Wall—Founder & CEO of Inspired Hygiene—sets the stage for a powerful, timely conversation the dental industry can’t ignore: rebuilding and strengthening the dentist–dental hygienist relationship. Joined by Emme Sanders, Lead Productivity Coach with Inspired Hygiene and Co-Founder of Collabricon, this episode e...

In this bonus episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, Rachel Wall breaks down the complete Inspired Hygiene System—a proven, holistic framework designed to help practices elevate hygiene services, implement clear systems, and build true team calibration. This episode delivers actionable next steps you can apply immediately to strengthen clinical outcomes for patients and business outcomes for the...

This episode of the Inspired Hygiene podcast digs into the #1 challenge dental practices still face—staffing—and how to innovate beyond “making do” to build flexible, stable teams that win in 2026 and beyond. Host Rachel is joined by Jennifer Steadman, Inspired Hygiene Director of Operations, to reframe flexibility as a strategic advantage, share modern recruiting playbooks that go far beyond job...

Before anyone calls, applies, or walks in, they’ve already met you online. In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, we dive into how dental practices and industry vendors can move beyond “posting just to post” and build a strategic, consistent social presence that attracts ideal patients, strengthens community trust, and even fills tough-to-hire roles. Guests Rita Zamora — Founder, RitaZam...

In this Inspired Hygiene Podcast episode, host Rachel Wall sits down with Alicia Maria, RDH (Hands-On Demand; Regional Dental Hygiene Coach at Dental Care Alliance) and Laura Nelson (Founder, Front Office Rocks; VP of AI at Mango Voice; author of Brush Up on AI) to show how practices move beyond dabbling and truly integrate AI and technology—clinically and operationally—to thrive in 2026 and beyon...

Innovate & Calibrate to Get Paid: 2026-Ready, Insurance-Strong Notes that Protect and Produce Insurance documentation and billing may not always be the most fun part of dentistry — but without accuracy and compliance, a practice can’t thrive. In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most critical areas to innovate, impacting profitability, patient trust, and long-term success. Guests: ...

Welcome to a brand-new season of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! 🎉 In this episode, host Rachel Wall, sits down with Jennifer Steadman, Director of Operations at Inspired Hygiene, to kick off a powerful season all about innovation—and why it’s absolutely essential for dental teams to thrive in 2026 and beyond. Together, they dive into: 💡 How innovation helps dental practices stay relevant and resi...

Reclaiming the Purpose of Periodontal Maintenance   In this powerful episode, host Rachel Wall, RDH takes a deep dive into a topic that’s often overlooked but absolutely essential: periodontal maintenance—and why it’s so much more than just checking a box.   🦷 Many dental teams unknowingly let patients slip through the cracks with under-evaluated perio protocols. Rachel walks through how to asses...

🎙️ Inspired Hygiene Podcast | Why Even Innovative Dentists Hesitate to Upgrade Their Perio Systems Welcome back to Season 2 of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! In this episode, host Rachel Wall, RDH dives deep into the top 5 concerns dental practice owners face when considering a proactive periodontal care program—and how to confidently move past them. 🧩 From staffing fears to patient reactions, we...

Inspired Hygiene Podcast | Special Episode from AADOM 2025: Leadership Multiplied with Jennifer Steadman In this special episode, recorded live at the AADOM Conference, host Rachel Wall, RDH sits down with Inspired Hygiene’s own Jennifer Steadman, BSDH, DAADOM—fresh off teaching the first-ever multi-site management course at AADOM: Leadership Multiplied. 🙌 With deep experience in leading multi-lo...

🎙️ Inspired Hygiene Podcast | From Mindset to Protocol: Creating a Standard of Care That Drives Results   Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! In this powerful follow-up to Episode 7, we explore what really needs to happen before your hygiene department can deliver consistent periodontal care—and it all starts with mindset and standards.   In this episode, host Rachel Wall, RDH, breaks do...

🎙️ Inspired Hygiene Podcast | Season 2, Ep1: The #1 Missed Opportunity in Dental Hygiene   Welcome to Season 2 of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! I'm your host, Rachel Wall—RDH and founder of Inspired Hygiene. After an incredible Season 1 focused on hot topics in hygiene, we're back with a powerful new series dedicated entirely to the #1 most common missed opportunity in dental hygiene: identifying...

🎙️ Inspired Hygiene Podcast | From Paycheck to Partnership: Evolving the Hygiene Compensation Model Welcome back to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! I'm your host, Rachel Wall—RDH and founder of Inspired Hygiene. In this powerful episode, I'm joined by long-time friend and lead coach Emme Sanders to dive deep into one of the hottest and most impactful topics in dentistry today: the shift from hourly...