Disrupting Dentistry Podcast
by Melissa Obrotka, Tabitha Acret
Welcome to Disrupting Dentistry, the podcast where two passionate dental hygienists—one from Australia and the other from America—unite to challenge the status quo of dental hygiene. With a shared commitment to high-level patient care, a deep belief in the power of science, and a drive to innovate, we are here to revolutionize the practice of dental hygiene. Each episode explores cutting-edge techniques, evidence-based practices, and thought-provoking discussions about the future of the dental profession. Together, we're challenging outdated methods, empowering professionals worldwide, and making a lasting impact on patient outcomes. If you're ready to rethink dental hygiene, embrace science, and disrupt the traditional ways of dentistry, this is the podcast for you!Join us as we boldly advocate progressive patient care and bring fresh, transformative ideas to the world of dental hygiene.Hosts:Tabitha Acret - Australian Dental Hygienist https://www.instagram.com/tabitha_dental_hyg
Episodes
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Episode 69: The Hidden Harms of Vaping and Nicotine Pouches - What Dental Professionals Need to Know
Episode 69: The Hidden Harms of Vaping and Nicotine Pouches - What Dental Professionals Need to Know Hosts: Tabitha Acret (Australia) & Melissa Obrotka (USA) Episode Description In this critical episode, Tabitha and Melissa tackle one of the most pressing and misunderstood topics in oral health...
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Episode 68: Beyond the Chair: Trauma-Informed Care in Dentistry
_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5"> Beyond the Chair: Trauma-Informed Care in Dentistry Show Notes - Disrupting Dentistry Podcast Episode Description This isn't just about patient experience — it's about humanity, dignity, and creating safer, more responsive dental environments for everyone who walks through...
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Episode 67: Neuromarketing for Dental Pros: Understanding the Science Behind Effective Marketing
Episode 67: Neuromarketing for Dental Pros: Understanding the Science Behind Effective Marketing In this enlightening episode, we delve into the fascinating world of neuromarketing with Yoli Dick, a seasoned expert with over a decade of experience at the intersection of dentistry and marketing....
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Episode 66: Breaking Boundaries: Owning a Specialist Perio Practice as an OHT 🚀
Special Guest Dental Disruptor: Alan Timmerman, Oral Health Therapist & Specialist Periodontal Practice Owner In this groundbreaking episode, Tabitha sits down with Alan Timmerman, an Australian Oral Health Therapist who has shattered traditional career expectations by purchasing and running his...
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Episode 65: Stress & Your Smile: The Silent Oral Health Saboteur 😬💥
This episode FINALLY exposes how stress is silently destroying your patients' mouths! 🚨 Melissa and Tabitha break through the traditional dentistry noise to reveal the science behind why stress might be the #1 oral health saboteur your patients (and YOU) aren't talking about. Key Topics Covered…
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Episode 64: STOP Normalizing Bleeding Gums: Making Diagnosing Gingivitis Sexy 🚫🩸
This episode challenges the dental industry's casual approach to gingivitis and reframes bleeding gums as a severe systemic health warning that demands attention! Melissa and Tabitha reveal why making gingivitis identification compelling to patients is crucial for oral and overall health…
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Episode 63: Mastering Communication Skills for Dental Professionals
In this episode of The Disrupting Dentistry Podcast, Melissa (USA) and Tabitha (Australia) dive into communication's critical role in improving patient outcomes. From explaining the oral-systemic connection to collaborating with medical professionals, they share actionable strategies to enhance...
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Episode 62: The Heart of the Matter – Oral Health, Cardiovascular Disease & Salivary Testing
In this eye-opening episode, Melissa and Tabitha dive into one of the most critical yet overlooked connections in healthcare: the link between oral health and cardiovascular disease. With heart disease remaining the #1 cause of death worldwide, they explore how chronic inflammation—particularly...
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Season 4, Episode 61: Relaunching After a Year of Change
Disrupting Dentistry Podcast – Season 4, Episode 1: Relaunching After a Year of Change Hosts: Tabitha Acret & Melissa Obrotka Release Date: January 16, 2025 Show Notes: After taking a year off to adapt, reflect, and grow, the Disrupting Dentistry Podcast is back with a brand-new season! In this...
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The one where we talk about writing a children's book
Welcome to the first episode of season 4!!!! On this installment Tabitha talks to Tanya Deacon a dental hygienist in Newcastle Australia on her journey from thought to action. Here about how to take an idea and action it into a finished product! Well done Tanya!
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The One About Provocative Issues in Our Profession
In true Disrupting Dentistry fashion, we are kicking off 2024 with an episode that tackles some provocative issues in dentistry head-on with repeat guest Kevin Oshani Lopez. In this episode, Melissa and Kevin discuss some trending circumstances that US dental professionals face. One particular...
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The One Where We Talk About Part 2 of Periodontal Treatment Planning
In this installment we continue with our chat on periodontal treatment planning. Mel and Tab talk about the importance of a diagnosis and prognosis for patients and, as per usual, some other random converstations and and giggles along the way This is our last episode for 2023, and we look forward...
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The One Where We Talk About Creating a Natural Toothpaste
On this installment we talk to founder Rosi of About 28 functional toothpaste. Rosi is an OHT in QLD and trying to find an effective natural toothpaste was a challange so she made one!! Have a listen and hear all about the process idea to reality ! about28
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Host Chat: The One About Standard of Care in Perio
In honor of Dental Hygiene Appreciation Month, this Host Chat episode is on Tabitha and Melissa's tackle standard of care in periodontal disease. During this episode, we explore periodontal disease, assessments, and diagnosis and provide real-world strategies to implement in your operatory or...
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The One About Cardiovascular Health
This episode discusses the connection between dental hygiene and heart health and how critical the dental hygienist's role is in risk assessment. Melissa chats with our guest, Tiffany Dillion, as she shares her heartfelt story on why she became an EMT in addition to a Dental Hygienist. Tiffany…
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Part Two: What's Trending in Dental Hygiene
Miranda Beeson is BACK for Part Two: What is Trending in Dental Hygiene. In this episode, Melissa and Miranda discuss the high salary demands from the ongoing workforce shortage and how that impacts the profession. The high hourly rate demands a high standard of care. There has been a shift in...
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The One Where Were Talk About Burning Mouth
We enjoyed chatting with Dr. Amanda Phoon Nguyen, an Oral Medicine Specialist, as she shared her clinical expertise in Burning Mouth Syndrome. Here are some key takeaways: Oral Burning related to Burning Mouth Syndrome occurs from nerve damage to the small fibers of the tongue and also…
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The One About Product Creation
In this episode, we chat with Joseph Hanna, the co-creator of Bumbl Co Toothpaste. Joseph shared how he and his wife went on this journey to bridge the gap he witnessed in children's toothpaste. Joseph walked us through how they worked to understand the market and identify a gap their product...
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The One About Coaching
In this episode, we dive into the world of dental consultant coaching. Our returning guest and friend, Miranda Beeson, shared how she transitioned from private practice to a Lead Practice Coach with ACT Dental. In this episode, Miranda shares how as a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create...
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The One Where We Chat About Kids Teeth
Join us on our latest installment, where we chat with Dr. Bethany about her career. We chat about how she has built a business around promoting oral health and healthy behaviors for children. Dr. Bathany is passionate about changing the status of oral health in children, and her energy can be…
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The One About Dental Phobias
This Host Chat episode of the Disrupting Dentistry Podcast is Part Two of our Three part series on Dental Anxiety and Phobia. In this installment, we define the different types of dental phobias and the various techniques and strategies that can be used to help our patients overcome dental…
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The One About Technology in Dentistry
Join us on the latest episode for a chat with the fabulous Nicole Fortune about using technology in dentistry. Nicole shared with us her vast experience with lasers and periodontal endoscope and how she has incorporated this into her clinical practice. This episode will leave you a little bit...
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The One About Career Development - Part 2
Join us for the latest installment where we chat to Dr Melanie Hayes again about career development . We talk about being in a cross roads and what to do next, how to think about our career and what we would like from it to find out more about Dr Hayes check out the links below Website:...
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The One Where We Talk About Dental Anxiety
On this episode we have a host chat about anxiety, what is anxiety and how it effects people who are living with it. We discuss treatments, side effects and how it can impact oral health join us as we try and smash through some of the stigma attached to anxiety and hopefully help make us all a...
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The One About the Professional Comeback
The One About the Professional Comeback In this episode, we chat with Jonneal Scott as she shares many of her personal experiences as a dental hygienist returning to the profession, gender inequality, racism, and sexual orientation. Jonnie is looking to change the way the profession is viewed…
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The One About an Alternative Career Path in Orthodontics
The One About an Alternative Career Path in Orthodontics In this episode, we chat with Cheryl Dey and discuss her alternative career path as a dental hygienist working in orthodontics. Over the past ten years, Cheryl has honed her skill as an orthodontic hygienist through her work in one of the...
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The One About Menopause
In this episode of the Disrupting Dentistry podcast Tabitha and Melissa tackle the topic of Menopause and how we can support our menopausal women during this time of transition. The facts of menopause are very eye opening as Tabitha and Melissa review the multitude of symptoms in addition to the...
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The one where we talk about red flags in the dental practice
On this episode Tabitha and Melissa disucss what red flags to look for when looking for the perfect dental practice, they chat about some of the red flags they have seen in the dental practice and what questions to ask in interviews
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The One About Disrupting the Profession
In this episode we get to chat with Kevin Lopez, AKA Kev Talks Teeth about being a male in a predominately female profession and cultural racism in dentistry. Kevin is quiet wise beyond his years in hygiene practice and his story is inspirational. Kev is here is to disrupt dentistry - and he is...
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Host Chat: The One Where We Discuss Epilepsy
In this episode Tabitha shares her personal journey as her son was just diagnosed and is being treated for epilepsy. Tabitha and Melissa discuss and learn about the many oral connections to epilepsy and this host chat shares the facts on diagnosis, treatment and how dental hygienists can aid in...
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The One Where We Talk About Brain Health
On this installment of disrupting dentistry with talk with USA based Dental Hygienist Angie Stone. Angie has written the book dying of dirty teeth and is an advocate for oral health in aged care facilities and patients with dementia. On this episode we discuss what is dementia and how we can help...
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The One for Drug Dependence Day
Drug dependance occurs whne you need on or more drugs to function and dependance can occur in over the coutner, perscription and illegal drugs. On the latest installment of the podcast Tabitha and Melissa discuss drug dependancy satistics, social impact, hospilisations and the health and oral...
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The one where we talk with the disruptor of orthodontics Dr Derek Mahony
This episode we are excited to be talking with specialist orthodontist Dr Derek Mahony. Derek Mahony is a Sydney based Orthodontist who has spoken to thousands of practitioners about the benefits of interceptive orthodontic treatment. Early in his career Dr. Mahony learned from leading clinicians...
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The one where we talk with an oral cancer Survivor
Join us on this very special spisode where we chat with Theresa Ryan from Australia about her journey survining cancer, As part of Theresa's Journey she had part of her mandible removed, reconstruction surgery and chemptherapy We chat with her about what her journey was like, the stuggles and...
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The one where we talk about oral immunology
Join us as we chat with Dr Camille Zenobia from the USA. Dr Zenobia is a scientist, innovator and Entrepreneur Her Special interests and Passions include Oral health, mucosal immunology, microbiome, host-pathogen, infectious disease, skin biology, vaccine, adjuvant, inflammation/resolution, novel...
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The one for Pride Month
Join the Disrupting Dentistry team as we chat with William Carson-Jones ( CJ) an OHT from Adelaide Australia about Pride month and how dental clinicans can be allys to the LGBTQ+ community. Please remember pride is more than one month and its important we work to be allys to the LGBTQ+ community...
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Domestic Violence Awareness
This is a special episode dedicated to Mackenzie, Tabitha's daughter. During this episode we discuss what are the different types of domestic violence and how as dental professionals we may be able to help with referrals to other services. Please be aware this is an emotional episode, look after...
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The One Filled with Oral Systemic Wisdom for New Grads and Seasoned Hygienists
In this episode Melissa interviews Eileen Prizzi, a seasoned dental hygienist, clinical adjunct professor, and oral systemic extraordinare. Eileen will drop many pearls of wisdom for the new graduates and seasoned dental hygienits alike. You will feel inspired after listening to this episode!...
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The One for Oral Cancer Awareness Month
In this episode we discuss the worldwide Oral Cancer Epidemic with OCX Guru, Susan Cotten! Susan shares her heartfelt story of how she became passionate about OCX screenings and just wait until you hear how Donny Osmond gets involved! Susan shares with us the stats by the Oral Cancer Foundation...
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The One Where We Discuss HIV and Oral Health
In this host chat episode Tabitha and Melissa discuss the statistics of patients with HIV and how HIV/AIDS impacts oral heatlh and pracitioners. Episode resources: HIV/AIDS & Oral Health
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The one where we talk about communication
On this installment of Disrupting Dentistry Melissa and Tabitha talk with their friend, colleague, fellow dental hygienist and certified in DISC, Miranda Beeson. Miranda shares her knowledge on personality types, how disc profiling can help the dental team communicate with ear other and patients....
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The one where we talk about hypnotherapy
On this installment of Disrupting Dentistry Tabitha and Melissa talk with Shavaya an Oral Health Therpaist fom Perth, WA , Australia on her qualification in hypnotherpay and how she has been able to utalise these skills with anxous and nervous patients @openmind_hypnotherapy
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The one where we talk about OHI delivery
On this installement of the podcast Tabitha and Melissa talk about something they are both passionat about, Oral hygiene Instructions and the way they are delivered. During the episode they discuss the timing, motivators for patients, the way we recieve and send messages the importance of knowing...
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The one where we welcome 2022
Welcome back from our Summer/Winter end of year break and catch up with Melissa and Tabitha to discuss setting goals for 2022. Melissa and Tabitha outline their personal and professional goals for 2022 and how they are going to set out to acieve them.
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The one where we talk about hand instrumentation verse ultrasonic scaling
Join Melissa and Tabitha for the last episode for 2021 where we talk about hand instrumentation verse ultrasonic scaling. In this episode we discuss legacy dentistry and hand scalers, evidence based dentistry and the time to shift to minimal intervention periodontal treatment. Its time to put…
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The one where we talk about bullying in the dental practice
On this installment of the podcast Melissa and Tabitha discuss workplace bullying in the dental practice. What does it look like and the unique experiences of dental hygienists and oral health therapists in private practice
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The one where we talk with Kelsey Ingram
Welcome to season 2!! On the first installment of season two we chat with Kelsey Ingram on her research into the effects of oral health on chronic disease and the translation of this evidence into chronic disease and oral health policy in Australia.
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The one where we say happy birthday and hello to season 2
ITS OUR BIRTHDAY!! Join us to wrap up season 1, discuss our highlights and what's in stall for season 2 of Disrupting Dentistry A special thank you to all of our guests and the listeners who have made season 1 so much fun
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The one where we talk about Dementia Awareness
Join Melissa and Tabitha for the last episode of season one dedicated to Dementia awareness month. On this installment we discuss the prevalence of dementia world wide, the social, emotional and financial impacts of the disease and how as Dental Hygienists and members of the health care team we…
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The One Where We Get Fast and Functional with Sarah Beach
Join us as we talk with the fabulous Sarah Beach about TMD and patient pain. Sarah has had an amazing work history from working in government dental vans to dental hygiene in Switzerland, Singapore, and back to Australia working in pain management, private practice, and whitening studio. Listen…
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About this show
Welcome to Disrupting Dentistry, the podcast where two passionate dental hygienists—one from Australia and the other from America—unite to challenge the status quo of dental hygiene. With a shared commitment to high-level patient care, a deep belief in the power of science, and a drive to innovate, we are here to revolutionize the practice of dental hygiene. Each episode explores cutting-edge techniques, evidence-based practices, and thought-provoking discussions about the future of the dental profession. Together, we're challenging outdated methods, empowering professionals worldwide, and making a lasting impact on patient outcomes. If you're ready to rethink dental hygiene, embrace science, and disrupt the traditional ways of dentistry, this is the podcast for you!Join us as we boldly advocate progressive patient care and bring fresh, transformative ideas to the world of dental hygiene.Hosts:Tabitha Acret - Australian Dental Hygienist https://www.instagram.com/tabitha_dental_hyg
Hosted by
Melissa Obrotka, Tabitha Acret