Hygiene Elevated Conversations and Innovations

Hosted by joffree.b

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Apr 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Hygiene Elevated — a podcast rooted in pride, purpose, advocacy, and a deep love for growth. Hosted by passionate dental hygienists who are elevating the profession one episode at a time, this show brings you real talk, expert insights, and the inspiration to thrive in every stage of your hygiene journey. We explore everything from career development and clinical excellence to setting boundaries, preventing burnout, and making bold moves beyond the op. Plus, we spotlight innovative products and the latest tech to keep you ahead of the curve.

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60 recent

April 12, 202641 min

Build Your Flow: One Hygienist's Journey to Evidence-Based, Whole-Patient Care

Hygiene Elevated Conversations Innovation — Olivia & RosseHost Olivia interviews Rosse, a Brooklyn-based dental hygienist, about her career journey and clinical approach. Rose shares how she got her start in dentistry through a high school volunteering program at her childhood dentist's office, then attended City Tech for her hygiene degree. Over 15 years in practice — spanning private offices and a DSO — she's developed a passion for evidence-based, wellness-focused hygiene.Rose walks through her systematic patient workflow: thorough assessments (medical history, airway screening, saliva testing), caries risk management, and OHI tailored to each patient. She highlights her top clinical interests — oral-systemic connection, airway dentistry, and salivary testing — and explains how she uses tools like air polishing/airflow systems, lasers, and antimicrobials. She also discusses the value of working alongside COIs-trained dentists, which pushed her to elevate her standard of care.The episode closes with Rose's three pieces of advice for new grads: find a mentor, build a financial plan early, and know your worth.

April 4, 202633 min

Clinical Innovator: Hali's Journey into Oral Facial Myofunctional Therapy

Olivia interviews Hali, a dental hygienist who expanded her career into oral facial myofunctional therapy. They discuss the surprising links between airway health, sleep apnea, and everyday dental symptoms, how HaLI built her own practice from scratch, and her advice for hygienists looking to grow.

March 8, 202610 min

How to Find Patients for Dental Hygiene School

Let’s be honest… finding patients for dental hygiene school can be the hardest part of the program. In this episode, Anistinn share's how she found patients throughout hygiene school. Including dressing up as the tooth fairy, going to community events, using QR codes and Google forms, and simply talking to people everywhere she went! Anistinn will also share safety tips, marketing ideas, and creative places to look for patients. If you’re struggling to fill your chair, this episode is for you!

February 14, 202642 min

Trailblazing Hygiene: Courtney Justice's Path to Independent Practice"

In this episode of Hygiene Elevated, the host interviews Courtney Justice, a registered dental hygienist from Colorado. Courtney shares her journey from being a history major to becoming a passionate public health advocate and dental hygienist. She discusses her work in launching Painted Sky Dental, a mobile dental hygiene nonprofit serving underserved communities in Southwestern Colorado. Courtney elaborates on the challenges and successes in providing accessible dental care, the importance of political advocacy, and the collaborative relationships between hygienists and dentists in Colorado. The conversation also delves into the broader vision for the future of dental hygiene, focusing on standardizing practices and extending professional autonomy across state lines.

January 30, 20261 hr 57 min

"Transforming Smiles: The Impact of Periodontal Endoscopy"

In this debut episode of 'Hygiene Elevated,' host Mathew interviews Kristen, a dental hygienist with over a decade of experience specializing in periodontics. Kristen shares her journey into the field, which began with a childhood interest in dental hygiene and was further fueled by her college experience balancing sports and studies. The discussion primarily focuses on the benefits and applications of periodontal endoscopy (Perio View), a digital camera that allows for precise visualization and cleaning of teeth roots below the gum line. Kristen highlights how this technology improves patient outcomes by thoroughly removing calculus and identifying issues like root fractures and decay that are often missed through conventional methods. Additionally, they discuss the future of dental hygiene, emphasizing the shift towards minimally invasive treatments and the potential for every dental practice to adopt advanced diagnostic tools like the dental endoscope.

January 10, 202634 min

Finding Your Passion: A Hygienist's Journey to Corporate Success

Join Olivia Bodunde as she interviews Carol Jahn, Director of Professional Marketing at Water Pick, who shares her inspiring journey from the operatory to corporate leadership. Carol reveals what it really takes to transition careers, the secrets behind product development and clinical research, and what she looks for when hiring hygienists for industry roles.Plus, get her candid thoughts on the future of the dental hygiene profession, why storytelling beats statistics every time, and her best advice for hygienists contemplating their next career move.Whether you're curious about non-clinical opportunities or just love hearing how fellow hygienists are shaping the industry, this conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

November 24, 202533 min

From Plaque to Pitches - Miranda's Tips for Transitioning into Sales

Host Olivia Bodunde interviews Miranda about her path from working as a dental hygienist to transitioning into a sales role. Miranda shares how she started in dental hygiene during the recession, her experiences working with patients, and the satisfaction she found in the job. After an injury, she moved into sales, using her communication skills and patience to succeed. The discussion covers her daily life in sales, tips for job seekers, handling corporate culture, and the importance of networking. Miranda also talks about her presence on social media and gives advice to new graduates about perseverance and embracing opportunities.

September 29, 2025Episode 145 min

Redefining Dental Care for the Homebound: Dr. Gabby's Story

In a compelling episode of the Hygiene Elevated podcast, hosts Nicole and Joffree interview Dr. Gabby, a pioneering figure in mobile dentistry. Focusing on geriatric and home-bound patients, Dr. Gabby shares her journey from traditional dentistry to mobile care, emphasizing her background in psychology and its influence on her patient interactions. The conversation delves into the logistical challenges of mobile dentistry, such as maintaining sterility and the use of portable equipment, while highlighting the rewarding aspects of providing accessible dental care. Dr. Gabby also discusses balancing her professional life with being a mother of four, emphasizing the flexibility that mobile dentistry offers. Finally, she reflects on the importance of creating a future specialty in mobile dentistry to meet the growing needs of an aging population and shares her aspirations for advocacy and education in this field.Instagram: mahlermobiledental

September 24, 2025Episode 130 min

Airways, Innovation & Elevation: A Conversation with Karese Laguerre

In this episode of Hygiene Elevated: Conversations & Innovations, host Olivia brings on the amazing Karese Laguerre, RDH, OM, MAS to share her not-so-traditional journey into dental hygiene and how she carved her path as an entrepreneur and speaker. They dive into the world of myofunctional therapy—why it’s a game-changer for kids with airway issues, how it blends beautifully with dental hygiene, and the simple ways you can spot oral dysfunctions in everyday practice.Karese also dishes out tips for keeping patients motivated, growing professionally, and even pitching courses that wow. 🎤The episode wraps with a fun chat on mouth taping (yes, mouth taping!) and why addressing root causes is the secret to healthier, happier patients.

September 15, 202549 min

Amanda Hale: Embracing Change, Elevating Hygiene

The podcast episode features an interview with Amanda Hale, who shares her journey from an uninspired college student to a passionate dental hygienist. Amanda discusses her unexpected entry into dental hygiene, her challenging early experiences, and her eventual relocation to Utah during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she met Joffree. She describes her involvement with Hygiene Elevated, various professional growth opportunities, and her development of a passion for holistic dental hygiene. Amanda talks about her shift into functional and biological health approaches, her participation in educational programs, and her new podcast venture focusing on these areas. The conversation highlights Amanda's growth, her commitment to community impact, and her advice for other dental hygienists. The episode concludes with reflections on mentorship, support, and personal growth within the professional community.