Michelle Strange brings 20 years of dental hygiene expertise to this compelling episode, sharing her journey from practicing across multiple states to establishing her own independent hygiene practice in Colorado. She candidly discusses overcoming resistance to her independent model, navigating complex state licensure requirements and her unwavering focus on evidence-based care and infection control. Michelle highlights how professional associations have supported her advancement in the field and offers practical advice and inspiration for hygienists at any career stage. Her story of setting ambitious goals and embracing change provides a roadmap for colleagues looking to explore new possibilities in dental hygiene.
Guest: Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, CDIPC
Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

Work culture can make or break dental practice success. Host Matt Crespin welcomes Kara Kelley, CEO of Clinical HR LLC, for a conversation about creating positive workplace environments in today's dental landscape. Kara shares valuable insights on effective communication, and helping dental hygienists understand practice owners' perspectives while advocating for their own needs. Discover how workplace culture varies across practices nationwide and pick up some practical guidance for both employers and providers for healthier work environments. Kara also cautions dental professionals about social media presence in our interconnected dental community. This important episode delivers practical wisdom for navigating workplace dynamics and building successful professional relationships. Matt also provides updates on ADHA's latest position statements regarding scaling assistants, community water fluoridation, and concerning changes to the CDC Oral Health Division.
Guest: Kara Kelley, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CEO of Clinical HR LLC
Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

ADHA's pivotal Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice have been updated for the first time since 2016. Host Matt Crespin welcomes ADHA President Erin Haley-Hitz and Crest + Oral-B representatives Beth Jordan and Andrea Johnson to discuss this momentous release. Beth, who also served as a Content Expert on the Standards Committee, shares insights on key changes including the shift to person-centered care, the importance of dental hygiene diagnosis, and evidence-based recommendations. The conversation covers the role of Crest + Oral-B in sponsoring and supporting this new revision and emphasizes how these standards serve as a crucial guidebook for all dental hygienists, providing consistent protocols for quality care while reflecting the profession's ongoing evolution. Learn why dental hygienists should share these standards widely and how to implement them in practice as a foundation for advancing oral healthcare practice.

Guests: Erin Haley-Hitz, RDH, BSDH, MS, FADHA, MAADH, ADHA President; Beth Jordan, RDH, MS, FADHA, Crest + Oral-B; Andrea Johnson, RDH, MS, Crest + Oral-B
Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

https://www.adha.org/education-resources/standards/

The "Hygienist Inspired" chairside recruitment program launched this week – a partnership between ADHA and the Foundations of Delta Dental. Three incredible dedicated Advisory Committee members share their dental hygiene journeys with host, Matt Crespin, and explain how this initiative builds diversity in dental hygiene and addresses workforce shortages while improving access to care in underserved communities. Learn about becoming a Hygienist Inspired Ally in this movement and how dental hygienists can inspire future professionals through direct chairside conversations and person connections. Matt shares the latest ADHA news from a busy start to 2025.
Guests: Marlyce James, MEd, RDH, CDA, FADHA; Richard Robinson, BS, RDH; Ryan D. Rutar, RDH, MAM, FADHA, MAADH (Hygienist Inspired Advisory Committee) Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

www.adha.org/HygienistInspired

www.adha.org/Newsroom

Hospital-based dental hygiene care is literally saving lives by preventing infections. ADHA member Katharine Martinez joins Matt during National Children’s Dental Health Month to share her unique work as a prevention educator at Phoenix Children's Hospital using a successful innovative care model that other states could easily adopt. She shares her passion for reaching pediatric patients and ensuring they remain free of preventable infections. Matt also shares the latest ADHA news and some National Children's Dental Health Month updates.
Guest: Katharine Martinez, RDH, MPH
Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

www.adha.org

www.adha.org/ncdhm

Www.adha.org/events

Fluoride misinformation spreads faster than the facts. Spring Hatfield joins host Matt Crespin for an important conversation about fluoride information, identifying credible scientific sources and how to spot misinformation online. Their conversation examines how dental professionals can effectively evaluate and address fluoride misconceptions and problematic claims that are appearing in publications, online and in social media channels. Drawing on 80 years of research and public health data, Matt and Spring explore the scientific consensus on fluoridation's safety and efficacy and equip oral health professionals with tools to have informed conversations about this proven public health measure.

Guest: Spring Hatfield, RDH, BSPH

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

www.adha.org/fluoride

End-of-Year Episode! Matt catches up with ADHA officers on crucial dental hygiene issues, recent concerning proposals that impact the profession, patient care and scope of practice, and how the organization is opposing and addressing these. They look back at 2024 successes and look forward at the work ahead in 2025 work on professional autonomy, recruitment, education, policy, leadership development and more. The key is involvement through membership, upcoming leadership opportunities, advocacy, events and ADHA25 in Long Beach, CA.

Guests: ADHA President Erin Haley-Hitz, RDH, BSDH, MS, FADHA, MAADH; President-Elect Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, PHEDH, CEAS, FADHA; Vice President Jessica August, MSDH, CDA, RDH, FADHA

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

Important Links:

www.adha.org/news

www.adha2025.org

https://alec.org/model-policy/dental-access-model-act/

The ADHA's Institute for Oral Health Foundation is in the spotlight for this episode of the pod. Matt chats with IOH Foundation Chair Becky Smith, CRDH, EdD, FADHA and Emily Ludwig, RDH, BSDH, MS, PhD(c), recipient of an IOH Foundation Research Grant. Becky shares the mission and focus of the Foundation and Emily discusses how her award has allowed her to advance her research on bias in the field of dental hygiene. Consider making a donation during this season of giving to the IOH Foundation and support its mission to advance the dental hygiene profession and expand access to oral care through scholarships, research grants and community service grants.

www.adha.org/ioh