Tooth or Dare Podcast
by Irene Iancu @Toothlife.Irene
Hold on to your suction, it’s about to get viscous. Irene, aka @Toothlife.Irene, on social media is the first (and only) Canadian Restorative Dental Hygienist with a podcast. Sharing her story surrounding her career, practice ownership, social media and, of course, dental-related content. On Tooth or Dare, she gives mic-dropping solutions to your dental questions and problems as a dental professional. With guests like top hygienists, dentists, researchers, product developers and more, this show has something for everyone interested in oral health and personal and professional development.Peeps say the content is entertaining and educational, packaged with actionable items. aMolar of the story, this is the podcast for you if you want to feel like you’re part of a conversation from the comfort of your own... well, wherever the heck you’re listening. Peace out, peeps, catch you on the flip side.
Episodes
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Podcaster to Dental Hygiene Practice Owner | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
What does it look like when you walk away from something you’ve spent seven years building, only to create an entirely new definition of success? In this episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast, Irene sits down with Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, CDIPC, a dental hygienist, educator, international...
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How to Manage Exudate in Periodontal Treatment | Tooth or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
A follower asked how to manage exudate during periodontal treatment. And here's the thing: removing it isn't the same as resolving it. The key to solving the exudate problem is identifying the underlying cause. In this episode, Irene and Vic dive deep into the Perio Rabbit Hole to unpack what...
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RDH with 30 Years of Experience Starting Over in a New Office | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
A follower left a comment asking if their 30 years of experience mean something. Sure, it means a lot...but it doesn't automatically mean you're current. I've been an RDH for 20 years. I know what it looks like when experience is the real thing, and I know what it looks like when someone has done...
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Are Lead Aprons Still Required for Dental X-Rays? | Tooth or Dare Podcast with @Toothlife.Irene
Breaking Down The Truth Behind the 1999 vs. 2022 Radiation Guidelines In this episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast, Irene and Victoria tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in dentistry today: radiation protection guidelines and the confusion surrounding lead aprons. You've probably heard…
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Restorative Dental Hygiene & the CE struggle in Canada | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
I might get "speaker" cancelled for this, but I believe it would be a worthy cause and perhaps the right hill to die on for our profession. Trying to register for a continuing education course shouldn't feel like repeatedly hitting a brick wall. But for many hygienists, it does. Many have given…
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I lost my dad to lung cancer & his oral care during tx | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Dental peeps, this one is super personal… what happens when oral care is overlooked in cancer patients? We see these patients in our ops, but what happens when that patient is your Dad? My dad... My patient In this episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast, I share the story of my father’s battle with...
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What Dentistry in New York City is like | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Dentistry in NYC is changing, and in Tribeca, there's a little hidden gem. I sat down with Cody Levine, and honestly, this conversation felt like stepping into what dentistry could be when it’s done differently. We talked about the kind of journey that doesn’t look linear. From doing dentistry...
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Taking Blood Pressure as Dental Hygienist? | @Toothlife.Irene & Tooth or Dare Podcast
RDH's...Are you taking BP at every visit? In this episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast, Irene and Victoria break down one of the most common questions in dental hygiene: “Is taking blood pressure at every visit mandatory?” Patients often say: “I’ve never had this done before.” So what do the...
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What it's like SRP Scaling with an Endoscope vs. Blind | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
f you're a dental professional curious about using technology to SEE sub-G this is the episode for you! In this episode, Irene sits down with Kristen Ranaldo, a perio-focused hygienist who has spent her career using dental endoscopy to treat advanced perio and failing implants. Kristen shares how...
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Desiccation Therapy- How to perform better periodontal treatments | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Dear Dental Hygienists, If your patients keep coming back with the same amount of calculus, this is the episode for you. In this Op Talk edition of Tooth or Dare, Irene and Victoria take one of the most misunderstood tools in modern periodontal care and pull it apart clinically, practically, and...
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Dental Hygiene Workforce Trends in Canada | Tooth or Dare Podcast with @Toothlife.Irene
Is there statistical proof of a decline in dental hygienists in Canada? The answer isn’t as simple as social media headlines suggest. In this episode of Tooth or Dare, Joe Siegfried and I unpack the current climate of dental hygiene in Canada and challenge the idea that fewer hygienists are...
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Coming Out During Dental Hygiene School | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
What happens when you choose authenticity, even when it feels risky? In this episode of Tooth or Dare, Joe Siegfried opens up about his life beyond the dental chair. From growing up in rural Ontario and pursuing acting, to becoming a father, coming out during dental hygiene school, and building a...
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How to organize your dental office using Color Method | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
This episode is dedicated to all dental professionals who have ever discovered expired materials hiding at the back of a drawer, couldn’t find what they needed mid-procedure, or found themselves buying supplies from the dollar store with no real system, strategy, or purpose. My office had just...
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RDH meets Yoga Therapy with Caitlin Parsons aka @thealignedhygienist
In this episode, Caitlin Parsons talks about her journey through dental hygiene, the pain she experienced early in her career, and how stepping away from the operatory led her to study yoga therapy. She shares what it was like to return to clinical practice after three years, the parts of hygiene...
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RDH shortages & trends with Bethany Montoya @Humanrdh | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
We all know Bethany Montoya as HumanRDH on social media. Advocate for all that is right and fair in the world of dental hygiene. She holds no prisoners when it comes to her quick responses and realtalk vibes. Today, I get to sit down with her IRL and learn more about the journey that inspired her...
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Oral Probiotics during SRP and hygiene therapy | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Should we be using probiotics with all patients? Perhaps they are the new secret weapon for improving clinical outcomes and preventing disease. Let’s face it, many patients consider cost above all else when presented with perio treatment options. This is especially challenging when dental…
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WTF is a $99 cleaning? | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
If you’ve ever seen a $99 dental cleaning deal and wondered if it’s worth it, you’ll want to hear this story, including: ▪️ How $99 dental promotions can mislead and limit patient access ▪️ Why these deals may not be as good as they sound ▪️ How patient trust is affected by unclear pricing ▪️...
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How to determine if Bone Loss Is due to Perio, Malocclusion, Or Something Else? | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
How do you determine if someone truly has bacterial-induced bone loss? When a patient presents with bone loss, periodontal disease is one of the most common causes, but not always. What else could it be? In this episode, we discuss various factors contributing to bone loss and recession, with...
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@BrushwithBritt: Content Creation & DH Advocacy. How to handle the social media spotlight | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Your girl Irene sits down with Britt Glauz, better known online as @brushwithbritt, to talk all things content creation, dental hygiene advocacy, and what it’s really like to step into (and stay in) the spotlight. Britt shares her journey from clinical practice to becoming an influential voice in...
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Dental Hygiene Degree Recap, so now what? | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Bachelor of Dental Hygiene Recap with Irene & Vic as Madam Vic has new credentials, but what will Irene do now that their plan to graduate together was crushed? Vic graduated from the Honours Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Completion program from George Brown College (yes, the same...
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Dental Hygienist needs glasses: What Dentistry & Ophthalmology have in common | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
WAIT... AM I GOING BLIND? "Irene, If things continue, you'll have vision loss." "I thought I was here to get a cleaning... I mean, new glasses!" After a routine eye exam, I left with more than just a new prescription; I walked out with a moment of clarity and panic. While I was distracted…
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Elevated SRP- How RDH's can get better outcomes | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Dear Dental Hygienists, Respectfully, if you're scaling alone during your SRP, you likely could be doing it better... In this episode, Irene and Vic go 5-7mm deep into the Perio Rabbit Hole, sharing the why behind a standardized SRP protocol and how shifting your mindset can improve both clinical...
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Xylitol - Making Patient Compliance Taste Great - Donald & Monica Bailey, Part 2 | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Xylitol does it all—at least when it comes to fighting cavity-causing bacteria! In Part 2 of Irene’s chat with Epic Dental’s Donald and Monica Bailey, they dive into the science of how xylitol targets Streptococcus mutans while sparing good bacteria. The Baileys also discuss their commitment to...
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Breaking Into the Oral Care Business with Gum - Donald & Monica Bailey, Part 1 | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Can gum and mints really help with cavities? Science says yes, if they contain xylitol like the ones from Epic Dental! Joining Irene this week on the podcast are Donald and Monica Bailey, the husband and wife team behind the business. In Part 1 of this interview, hear the story of how Donald...
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“SRP” Treatments Perio Progress and Treatment Frequency| Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
In this episode of Op Talk, Irene and Vic discuss Scaling and Root Planning (SRPs) and how to effectively monitor periodontal disease progression in patients. This complex condition can be challenging to manage, but having a clear clinical protocol helps simplify treatment planning and patient...
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Appeal results to complete my degree at George Brown | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Well, I didn't see this one coming... In this deeply personal episode, I share the whole story behind my recent academic appeal to George Brown College after being declined admission to the S305 Honours Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Completion program in October 2024. The original...
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Is Botox a TMD Scam? - Dr. Tony Urbanek, Part 2 | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
"I have TMJ" - Yes, patient... you have two actually. If you are a practising dental clinician, chances are you’ve encountered patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction - TMD. In Part 2 of this interview, Irene discusses this tricky disorder with Dr. Tony Urbanek, who specializes in its...
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"Hold my Beer" with Aviator OMF Surgeon - Dr. Tony Urbanek Part 1 | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Meet Dr. Tony Urbanek, an oral-maxillofacial surgeon with a list of wild tales as long and varied as his accomplishments in the dental field. How do you find a surgical laser in 1978 Tennessee? What does a quarter of an airplane cost, and how much medical gear can you fit inside a whole one? How…
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Periodontal Probing & Billing by Procedure vs. Time | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Periodontal Probing and Billing deep dive in this episode. Irene and Vic address probing - a non-invasive, deceptively simple yet fundamental tool for monitoring oral health. Does it matter whether it’s done by a dentist or hygienist? When is it time for a full-mouth probe, and how does it fit…
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Helping General Dentists Treatment Clear Aligner Cases with an Orthodontist Dr. Amanda Wilson | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
"The more popular you are on social media, the fewer friends you have." In this episode of the Tooth Order Podcast, Dr. Amanda Wilson returns to share insights on helping general dentists with clear aligner therapy and virtual consultations. From her journey in orthodontics to educating…
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Orthodontics in Hawaii- Wilson V. Board of Dental Examiners | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." Laurel Thatcher Ulrich Meet Dr. Amanda Wilson, a San Francisco native whose journey in dentistry has taken her from the heart of the Bay Area to the beautiful shores of Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Wilson earned her dental degree from UCSF Dental School and went...
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Dental Hygiene Scheduling: New Patients, Recalls & SRPs | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Dental Hygiene Scheduling: New Patients, Recalls & SRPs | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene In this episode of Tooth Or Dare, Irene & Vic discuss one of the most frequently asked questions in clinical practice: How much time should be allocated for different types of dental hygiene...
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Authentic Content Creation with Dr. Charlie Cage | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
In Part 2 of this conversation with Dr. Charlie, we focus on her content creation which includes lifestyle as well as dental themes. Irene and Dr. Charlie share the struggles of finding their unique style while staying true to their goals of educating their followers. If you’ve ever scrolled all...
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Survival Mode with Naval Dentist Dr. Charlie Cage Part 1 | Toothlife.Irene Journey Tooth or Dare Podcast
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all of life’s obligations - work, family, friends, personal goals - just know you’re not alone. As humans, we are amazingly adaptable to stressful situations, but our bodies and minds can only handle it for so long. Dr. Charlie Cage has been living in “survival...
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Hi I'm Irene... Teaching to Speaking and Opening Your Own Dental Practice | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Whether you’re a longtime follower or a first-time listener, you may not know the story behind Toothlife.Irene! In this special Op Talk episode, the tables are turned with Vic as our host and Irene as the guest. Learn some lesser-known facts like: What sport did she play competitively in school?...
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Implementing an Airway System in your Dental Office Dr. Kalli Hale, Part 2 | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
What if you could help a child develop straighter teeth without the need for braces while also improving their breathing, sleep, and jaw development—all with the power of teledentistry? That’s exactly what Dr. Kalli Hale achieves with Toothpillow, an innovative pre-orthodontic treatment system.…
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Mercury Fillings and Breathing Problems with The Airway Dentist - Dr. Kalli Hale, Part 1 | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Are dentists at high risk of Mercury poisoning? Does that increase the risk of Suicide? Is snoring normal? All these questions and more are discussed in this week's episode, you may be shocked at what you'll hear. Irene Iancu engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Kalli Hale, a...
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How to build a Perio Protocol from Scratch | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
So your office doesn't have a strong Perio program, that's cool we've got you. In this episode of Op Talk, Irene and Vic tackle a pressing question from a social media follower about implementing a periodontal protocol in her practice for the first time. The hosts dive deep into the essentials of...
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165 - Should You Get Veneers for “Cheaper” Overseas? Dr. Andi-Jean Miro, Part 2 | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Welcome to the 165th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Andi-Jean Miro (@aestheticsbyandi). We return to celebrity dentist Dr. Andi this week to discuss some controversial practices in cosmetic dentistry. Is the rising popularity of...
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164 - Dr. Andi-Jean Miro, Part 1 - Brooklyn girl to Celebrity dentist| Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Welcome to the 164th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Andi-Jean Miro (@aestheticsbyandi). AKA a baddie in the industry of creating beautiful cosmetic smiles and boy oh boy and I am honoured to call her a friend. Let’s face it…
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163 - Welcome to Op Talk - When to Hang Up Your Scalers | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Welcome to the 163rd episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and co-host Victoria Armaly (@victoriaarmaly_). This is the first of the new “Op Talk” series, in which Irene and Vic will discuss all things dental straight from the Toothlife operatory. We invite...
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162 - Skincare For Everyone: Dermatology and Systemic Health - Dr. Renée Beach, Part 2 | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Welcome to the 162nd episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Renée Beach (@dermabeach). Everyone’s got skin in this game, so learn how to properly take care of yours in Part 2 of this conversation with Dr. Beach! When patients come to her...
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161 - Dermatology VS Dentistry COVID Startup Clinic - Dr. Renée Beach, Part 1 | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Welcome to the 161st episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Renée Beach (@dermabeach). If there ever was a glamorous medical profession, some might say it’s dermatology. Dr. Beach is as passionate about her patients’ health as much as...
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160 - It’s Amazing What People Can Eat with Just Gums | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Welcome to the 160th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Jason Luchtefeld (@jasonluchtefeld), along with bonus guest Dr. Alan Mead (@very_dental_podcast). In Part 2 of this conversation with Dr. Luchtefeld, we learn about how he came…
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159 - Taking Over a Dental Practice and Other Things Not Taught in School | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Welcome to the 159th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Jason Luchtefeld (@jasonluchtefeld). If you think taking over a dental practice is easier than starting one from scratch, think again. Dr. Luchtefeld discovered early on in his...
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158 - Empowering Women in Dentistry and Business | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Welcome to the 158th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Effrat (Effie) Habsha (@effiehabsha). In Part 2 of this interview with Dr. Habsha, we learn about how she started Women in Dentistry, an organization dedicated to supporting...
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157 - One Smile at a Time - A Day in the Life of a Prosthodontist | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Welcome to the 157th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Effrat (Effie) Habsha (@effiehabsha). Do you love your smile? Dr. Habsha’s goal is to make sure her patients do. As a prosthodontist, every day can be a new challenge. Figuring...
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156 - Work-Life Balance as a Travelling Implant Surgeon with Dr. Steven Vorholt, Part 2 | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Welcome to the 156th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Steven Vorholt (@vorholtdds), co-hosted by Dr. Craig Harder. Starting a dental business from scratch obviously requires a lot of money, time and effort - and then you need...
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155 - Life After Private Practice - Implant Surgeon, Lecturer, and Podcaster Dr. Steven Vorholt, Part 1 | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Welcome to the 155th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Steven Vorholt (@vorholtdds), co-hosted by Dr. Craig Harder. What do you do after your business partnership falls apart? According to Dr. Vorholt, continue to invest in yourself...
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154 - The Small Talk Doc - Earning Patient Trust Through Pop Culture | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
Welcome to the 154th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Connie Wang (@drconniewang). Do you find yourself awkwardly asking the same few questions to your patients at every visit? Making small talk can be as uncomfortable as, well,...
About this show
Hold on to your suction, it’s about to get viscous. Irene, aka @Toothlife.Irene, on social media is the first (and only) Canadian Restorative Dental Hygienist with a podcast. Sharing her story surrounding her career, practice ownership, social media and, of course, dental-related content. On Tooth or Dare, she gives mic-dropping solutions to your dental questions and problems as a dental professional. With guests like top hygienists, dentists, researchers, product developers and more, this show has something for everyone interested in oral health and personal and professional development.Peeps say the content is entertaining and educational, packaged with actionable items. aMolar of the story, this is the podcast for you if you want to feel like you’re part of a conversation from the comfort of your own... well, wherever the heck you’re listening. Peace out, peeps, catch you on the flip side.
Hosted by
Irene Iancu @Toothlife.Irene