Dental leadership, career growth, and navigating change in dentistry—this episode of The Dental Handoff explores what it really takes to trust your next step in your dental career.

If you’re a dental hygienist (RDH), dentist, assistant, or practice owner feeling stuck, burned out, or uncertain about your next move, this conversation will resonate deeply.

Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Aimee Vail to discuss the reality of nonlinear career paths in dentistry, from clinical roles to entrepreneurship, and the mindset shifts required to grow through change instead of staying stuck in fear.

They unpack what it means to follow the “nudge,” build confidence through experience, and surround yourself with the right community to support your growth.

• Why most dental careers aren’t linear, and why that’s okay
• How to recognize when it’s time to pivot in your career
• The role of fear vs intuition in decision-making
• Why community and mentorship matter in dentistry
• How to build confidence by reflecting on your past growth

This episode is a reminder that growth in dentistry isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about trusting yourself enough to take the next step.

If this resonated with you, share your thoughts below or send this to someone navigating their next chapter in dentistry.

Aimee Vail is an American dental hygienist, entrepreneur, and consultant who founded PoweredUP Prevention, a company that bridges clinical expertise and business strategy in the dental industry. She is known for helping dental brands accelerate market adoption by combining sales insight with first-hand operatory experience.

Vail has built her career at the intersection of clinical care and commercial strategy. As a practicing dental hygienist with a deep understanding of vendor operations, she guides dental companies in refining their go-to-market plans, connecting them directly with decision-makers in group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs). Her approach emphasizes actionable outcomes over generic consulting, ensuring that a client’s product or service message “lands” with purchasing authorities.

PoweredUP Prevention

Founded by Vail, PoweredUP Prevention serves as both a consultancy and a connector within the dental marketplace. It supports vendors seeking to increase visibility, drive adoption, and navigate the complexities of private-equity-backed DSOs. The firm’s services span strategy development, meeting facilitation, and relationship management with clinical and corporate stakeholders.

Influence and recognition

Within the dental community, Aimee Vail is recognized for her reputation as “the connector and the closer.” Her credibility stems from experience across the sales, technical, and chair-side dimensions of dentistry, giving her clients a pragmatic advantage in a competitive field. She continues to mentor professionals and partner with brands seeking authentic engagement in dental care innovation.

Connect with Aimee: https://www.poweredupprevention.com/

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com

Most dental assistants are not struggling because they are not capable. They are struggling because no one ever trained them properly.

Dental assisting is one of the most hands-on roles in dentistry, but many assistants are expected to perform, communicate, and anticipate everything without structured training or mentorship.

In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Julie Varney, RDA with 33 years chairside, to talk about the real skills nobody teaches, how to read your doctor, how to stay 10 steps ahead of the procedure, how to handle the anxious patient who walks in assuming the worst, and why so many dental assistants shut down when they feel picked at instead of supported.

This is not about clinical skills alone. It is about the system behind the role, and why so many talented assistants end up feeling overwhelmed, undervalued, or stuck.

Julie Varney, RDA, CDA, COA, CDIPC, FAADOM, is an experienced clinical dental assistant with over 30 years of chairside expertise. She specializes in efficient workflow, instrumentation, and real-time support that helps procedures run smoothly and predictably.

Julie is known for strengthening infection control protocols and clinical excellence without slowing down productivity. She works closely with dentists and their dental assistants to enhance communication, anticipate clinical needs, and improve overall patient care. Her hands-on approach helps dental teams build confidence, consistency, and clinical excellence.

Julie’s mission is to elevate the chairside clinical experience for both providers and patients through practical, results-driven

systems.

Connect with Julie: https://www.instagram.com/dentalassistantsrock/

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com

Dental infection control and OSHA compliance aren’t optional, but many practices are still missing critical steps.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your office is truly compliant, this conversation will give you clarity.

In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Monica Satake to unpack the real gaps in infection-control training and why so many dental teams are unintentionally putting themselves at risk.

This episode is for dental hygienists, dental assistants, dentists, practice owners, and educators who want to better understand OSHA requirements and how to apply them in everyday practice.

You’ll learn:

• The most commonly missed OSHA and infection control protocols

• Why improper onboarding leads to long-term compliance gaps

• The risks of everyday habits (including clinical attire and exposure)

• How to advocate for safer systems, without conflict or resistance

• What a true culture of safety actually looks like in a dental practice

Monica shares her journey from chairside to educator to consultant, offering practical insights you can apply immediately, whether you’re new to dentistry or leading a team.

This isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters, the right way. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway in the comments or send it to someone on your team who needs to hear it.

Connect with Monica:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicasatake

https://www.facebook.com/monica.satake

https:/www.instagram.com/monica.true_north

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com