RDH Magazine Podcast

For the final episode of the RDH Magazine Podcast, the roles are reversed as DentistryIQ editor-in-chief Andrew Johnston sits down with RDH Magazine chief editor Jackie Sanders. After three years behind the microphone interviewing dental professionals, Jackie takes the other seat to reflect on the career that brought her from clinical dental hygiene to corporate dentistry, publishing, and eventually RDH Magazine. Jackie and Andrew talk about the lessons she has carried from each stage of her career, including learning to embrace change, surrounding yourself with people who can help you grow, and recognizing opportunities even when you do not feel completely prepared for them. They also look at some of the challenges facing dental hygienists today, particularly finding enough time to provide the level of patient education and comprehensive care they know they can deliver. The conversation closes with a look at the future of dental hygiene and why Jackie remains optimistic about the profession. While this is the final episode of the RDH Magazine Podcast, the conversations continue. Jackie and Andrew will remain active across RDH Magazine and DentistryIQ, while Jessica Atkinson and David Torres continue bringing weekly conversations to the dental hygiene community through A Tale of Two Hygienists. Highlights from the episode include: Jackie’s path from dental assisting to becoming a hygienist at 38 and eventually chief editor of RDH Magazine What clinical dental hygiene taught her about treating people, not just treating mouths Why hygienists need enough time to educate patients and practice at the top of their skill set How working in corporate dentistry changed Jackie’s perspective on leadership and change The unexpected opportunities and mentors that shaped her career Why believing in yourself does not mean you have to know exactly where your career is headed Why Jackie remains optimistic about the future of dental hygiene A final thank-you to the listeners and guests who have been part of the RDH Magazine Podcast The RDH Magazine Podcast may be ending, but RDH podcasting is not. Continue the conversation with A Tale of Two Hygienists, hosted by Jessica Atkinson and David Torres, and keep following RDH Magazine for the clinical, professional, and industry content shaping the future of dental hygiene.

With just one episode remaining after this one, Jackie Sanders and Andrew Johnston take some time to reflect on the RDH Magazine Podcast, their years of working together, and what comes next. They look back at how their paths in dental hygiene, podcasting, and publishing came together and share why bringing different experiences, relationships, and perspectives to RDH Magazine and DentistryIQ has made their collaboration so rewarding. While the RDH Magazine Podcast is coming to an end, Jackie and Andrew are not going anywhere. Both will continue focusing on editorial content and new ways of connecting with dental professionals, including more video and digital content across RDH Magazine and DentistryIQ. Most importantly, podcasting for the RDH community continues with A Tale of Two Hygienists. Now part of the RDH Magazine family, the podcast is hosted by Jessica Atkinson and David Torres, who bring their own personalities, perspectives, and passion for dental hygiene to conversations with voices from across the profession. Highlights from the episode include: Why the RDH Magazine Podcast is coming to a close and what Jackie and Andrew will focus on next How Andrew’s move from A Tale of Two Hygienists to DentistryIQ brought Jackie and Andrew’s professional worlds together Why different networks and perspectives can make dental media stronger How Jessica Atkinson and David Torres have made A Tale of Two Hygienists their own while staying true to the podcast’s roots What listeners can expect from A Tale of Two Hygienists going forward Where you can continue to find Jackie and Andrew after the RDH Magazine Podcast ends Continue listening with A Tale of Two Hygienists, featuring hosts Jessica Atkinson and David Torres, for weekly conversations about clinical care, professional growth, education, and the issues affecting dental hygienists today.

AI-generated content is becoming harder to recognize, and polished writing does not always mean accurate or useful information. In this episode, Jackie Sanders and Andrew Johnston sit down with Amelia DeStefano to discuss the rise of “AI slop” and what it means for dental professionals who rely on online content to stay informed. They explore some of the warning signs that content may have been heavily generated by AI, why traditional AI detectors are not always reliable, and how readers can better evaluate the expertise, evidence, and intent behind what they read. The conversation also looks at AI from the other side of publishing. Amelia explains why editors would rather work with an imperfect but authentic article from a knowledgeable dental professional than a polished piece that lacks substance. The group discusses the responsibility of authors, editors, publications, and readers to protect the quality of dental information, particularly when clinical decisions may be influenced by that content. Connect with Amelia DeStefano Email: [email protected]

In this episode, Jackie Sanders and Andrew Johnston sit down with Jill Sirko, PhD, cofounder of KaiAvora Health, to discuss the challenge of translating research into information clinicians and patients can actually use. Jill shares her unconventional path from studying medieval literature and systems of power to working in health care, patient advocacy, and oral health research. She explains how her experience navigating a fragmented health-care system after the birth of her daughter ultimately changed the direction of her career and shaped her interest in making complex health information more accessible.   The conversation explores why it can take years for research findings to make their way into clinical practice, the growing challenge of distinguishing credible science from misinformation, and the responsibility researchers and communicators have to make evidence understandable without oversimplifying it.   Jill also discusses the work behind KaiAvora Health and its focus on helping people better understand the connections between oral and systemic health, particularly in women’s health. For dental hygienists, the conversation highlights an important opportunity: helping patients recognize that oral health involves much more than their teeth and giving them evidence-based information that helps connect what happens in the mouth with the rest of the body.   Resources:   KaiAvora Health: https://www.kaiavorahealth.com/   Jill Sirko on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jill-sirko-phd   KaiAvora Health on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kaiavora-health/

In this episode, Jackie Sanders and Andrew Johnston sit down with dental hygienist Andrew Lee to discuss the growing role dental hygienists can play in identifying potential airway and sleep concerns. Andrew shares how his more than 20 years in clinical practice led him to look beyond the traditional hygiene appointment and explore how dental professionals can better recognize signs such as bruxism, tooth wear, tongue scalloping, and other indicators that may warrant further airway assessment. The conversation also examines one of the biggest challenges in airway care: what happens after a potential problem is identified. Andrew discusses the gaps that can occur when patients are referred outside the dental practice for sleep testing and how more integrated workflows could better connect dentistry and medicine. He also explains why hygienists are well positioned to champion airway screening in their practices and encourages them to view comprehensive assessment as an extension of the preventive care they already provide. Connect with Andrew Lee Email: [email protected]

In this episode, Jackie Sanders and Andrew Johnston sit down with Catrice Opichka during RDH Under One Roof to discuss the ethical decisions dental professionals make every day, often without realizing they are ethical decisions at all. The conversation moves beyond obvious examples such as fraud or intentional  misconduct and examines the smaller choices involving documentation, diagnosis, treatment recommendations, blood pressure readings, and communication with patients and colleagues. Catrice explains how good clinicians can gradually find themselves in difficult situations by taking shortcuts, avoiding uncomfortable conversations, or following office habits that conflict with professional standards. She also discusses the role of dental boards, why their primary responsibility is public protection, and how remediation can help clinicians rebuild competency and continue practicing safely. Connect with Catrice Opichka Email: [email protected]

In this episode, Jackie Sanders and Andrew Johnston sit down with Kerry Lepicek during RDH Under One Roof to discuss her unexpected glaucoma diagnosis, the rapid vision loss that followed, and how the experience changed both her personal life and her approach to patient care. Kerry shares the importance of trusting your instincts when something does not feel right, advocating for yourself when symptoms continue to progress, and understanding what patients may experience when living with glaucoma. The conversation also explores practical considerations for dental professionals, including lighting, patient positioning, medication-related dry mouth, and the importance of reviewing a patient’s health history beyond the oral cavity. The episode also serves as a reminder that clinicians need to prioritize their own preventive care, including routine eye exams, blood pressure checks, and other health screenings.   Connect with Kerry Lepicek Instagram: @klepicek LinkedIn: Kerry Lepicek

In this episode, Jackie Sanders and Andrew Johnston sit down with Tracee Dahm, BSDH, MS, during RDH Under One Roof to discuss her team’s research examining oral health care in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The conversation explores why caregivers often recognize the importance of oral health but struggle to consistently provide it, the growing needs of an aging population, and the systemic barriers that continue to limit access to care. Tracy also shares how her multi-year scoping review came together, the importance of mentorship and collaboration in research, and why advocacy remains essential to expanding oral health services for some of our most vulnerable patients. In this episode, we discuss: The current state of oral health care in nursing homes Why positive attitudes toward oral health don’t always translate into patient care The impact of staffing shortages, time constraints, and limited resources How research teams collaborate across institutions and time zones The role of mentorship in developing new researchers Why advocacy is critical to improving access to care for older adults Practical opportunities for dental hygienists to make a difference in long-term care Connect with Tracee Dahm: Email: [email protected] Social media: @tsdahm

In this episode, Jackie Sanders and Andrew Johnston sit down with Kristen Evans, RDH, to preview her presentation that she delivered at RDH Under One Roof this month where she explored the connection between airway health, hormone health, and skeletal integrity. Kristen shares the personal journey that led her to become an advocate for systemic bone health screening, discusses why dental professionals are uniquely positioned to identify patients at risk for osteoporosis and other chronic conditions, and offers an encouraging message for clinicians who aspire to write, speak, and contribute to the profession. The conversation also highlights the importance of perseverance, finding your unique voice, and trusting that the right opportunities often come with the right timing.   Learn more about Kristen Evans by connecting with her on LinkedIn (Kristen Evans, RDH – “The pH RDH”), where you can also find links to her website, Instagram, and her Bone & Balance for Life initiative focused on education, prevention, and advocacy for systemic bone health.   Resources: @thephrdh on Linked In and Instagram

In this episode, Jackie Sanders and Andrew Johnston sit down with Dr. Uche Odiatu for a preview of his RDH Under One Roof session, Essential Nutrition for the Dental Professional. The conversation explores why nutrition remains an underutilized tool in patient care, the importance of learning beyond traditional dental education, how storytelling and credible references build trust with patients, and why focusing on foundational health habits like sleep often delivers greater results than chasing the latest wellness trends.