The Inspired Hygiene Podcast

S2 E3: Why Even Innovative Dentists Hesitate to Upgrade Their Perio Systems

🎙️ Inspired Hygiene Podcast | Why Even Innovative Dentists Hesitate to Upgrade Their Perio Systems
Welcome back to Season 2 of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! In this episode, host Rachel Wall, RDH dives deep into the top 5 concerns dental practice owners face when considering a proactive periodontal care program—and how to confidently move past them.
🧩 From staffing fears to patient reactions, we break down:
“What if my hygienist leaves?”
“What will our patients think?”
“I don’t have time to manage this.”
“My hygiene team is resistant to change.”
“I don’t want to be too aggressive.”
You'll also hear real-life stories from practices that overcame these exact concerns—and saw transformation in patient care, team morale, and profitability.
📈 Whether you're building your perio program solo or with help from a coach, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and actionable steps to start making meaningful progress today.
🛠️ Free Tools Mentioned: 🔢 Perio Percentage Calculator: https://inspiredhygiene.com/perio-tool/ 📝 Standard of Care Worksheet:https://inspiredhygiene.com/standard-of-care-worksheet/
💬 Want guidance? Book a free discovery meeting: https://inspiredhygiene.com/talk/#meet-now
❤️ Like, subscribe, and share to help more teams elevate their standard of care and create the triple win—for patients, providers, and the practice.
#InspiredHygiene #DentalPodcast #PeriodontalCare #HygieneSystems #DentalHygienist #PracticeSuccess #HygieneDepartment #HygieneLeadership #TripleWin #OralSystemicHealth
 

S2 E4: Reclaiming the Purpose of Periodontal Maintenance

Reclaiming the Purpose of Periodontal Maintenance
 
In this powerful episode, host Rachel Wall, RDH takes a deep dive into a topic that’s often overlooked but absolutely essential: periodontal maintenance—and why it’s so much more than just checking a box.
 
🦷 Many dental teams unknowingly let patients slip through the cracks with under-evaluated perio protocols. Rachel walks through how to assess whether your perio program is stable or slipping, what your perio percentage really means, and how to identify red flags in maintenance care. She also breaks down the science, mindset shifts, and clinical strategies needed to deliver truly exceptional care—and protect the hard-earned healing your patients have achieved.
 
✅ What you’ll learn in this episode:
 
What periodontal maintenance really is—and what it’s not
 
Why a low perio percentage might indicate a big problem
 
Four reasons perio patients are high-risk for relapse
 
The dangers of "bleeding blindness" and "stable inflammation"
 
Why documentation and consistent diagnostics are key
 
The CDT code breakdown for 4910 and what payers look for
 
How to reframe maintenance as proactive, life-saving care
 
Perio Calculator Tool 
https://inspiredhygiene.com/perio-tool/
 
AAP Periodontal Health Paper
https://aap.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/JPER.16-0517
 
Why Your Patients Are In Perio Purgatory- ACT Best Practices Show podcast episode
https://www.actdental.com/podcast/?wchannelid=lla42lxvs4&wmediaid=nb08uv3o6p
🎯 Whether you're a hygienist, dentist, or practice leader, this episode will challenge you to rethink the way you approach maintenance—and unlock the hidden growth opportunities inside your hygiene program.
 
💬 If this episode resonated with you, leave a comment or review and share it with a colleague!
 
#InspiredHygiene #PeriodontalMaintenance #DentalPodcast #HygieneLeadership #PerioPercentage #ScalingAndRootPlaning #PracticeGrowth #HygieneCoach #BleedingBlindness #DentalCare #OralSystemicHealth #DSO #HygieneProduction
 

S3 E1: Innovation Dental Teams Must Embrace to Thrive into 2026 & Beyond

Welcome to a brand-new season of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast! 🎉 In this episode, host Rachel Wall, sits down with Jennifer Steadman, Director of Operations at Inspired Hygiene, to kick off a powerful season all about innovation—and why it’s absolutely essential for dental teams to thrive in 2026 and beyond.
Together, they dive into: 💡 How innovation helps dental practices stay relevant and resilient 👥 Building a culture of innovation through leadership, collaboration, and communication 📲 The need for teams to embracing innovation with AI, social media, hiring and insurance documentation 💪 Strategies to make innovation stick — not just a “one-and-done” idea
If you’re a dentist, hygienist, or team leader looking to future-proof your practice and inspire growth, this episode is your roadmap.
🔔 Subscribe to the Inspired Hygiene Podcast for practical insights, expert interviews, and proven strategies to help your team elevate care and performance.
💬 Share your thoughts: What innovation has made the biggest difference in your practice? Tell us in the comments!
📣 Don’t forget to leave a review and help other dental professionals discover the show.
#DentalPodcast #InspiredHygiene #DentalInnovation #DentalTeam #Leadership #PracticeGrowth #DentalHygienist #AIinDentistry #DentalPracticeManagement #InspiredHygienePodcast

S3 E2: Innovate & Calibrate to Get Paid: 2026-Ready, Insurance-Strong Notes that Protect and Produce

Innovate & Calibrate to Get Paid: 2026-Ready, Insurance-Strong Notes that Protect and Produce
Insurance documentation and billing may not always be the most fun part of dentistry — but without accuracy and compliance, a practice can’t thrive. In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most critical areas to innovate, impacting profitability, patient trust, and long-term success.
Guests: 
✅ Theresa Duncan — OdysseyManagement.com 
✅ Estella Vargas, RDH — RemoteSourcing.com
Together, they deliver decades of experience helping practices stay compliant, efficient, and profitable — especially in a rapidly changing insurance landscape.
 
✅ In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why SOAP-formatted clinical notes are becoming essential
How CDT code changes and new technologies impact documentation
The connection between diagnostic quality and reimbursement
What teams must do to avoid denials and protect revenue
How to think strategically when going out-of-network
Why calibration between hygiene and admin is non-negotiable
How shifting from reactive → proactive prevents fines & audits
 
“Documentation drives revenue” — and your notes must stand strong for both insurance review and patient protection.
🔔 Don’t Miss This If You’re a:
Dentist or clinical leader
Hygienist providing periodontal therapy
Administrator or billing specialist
Practice owner evaluating your insurance participation
Team member who wants to confidently support revenue cycle success
 
📌 Resources + Links Mentioned
Odyssey Management — https://www.odysseymgmt.com
Nobody Told Me That! Podcast — https://bit.ly/47ZBEQ6
Book: Moving Your Patients to Yes! — https://a.co/d/3qu04zo
Remote Sourcing Services — https://remotesourcing.me/
If this episode helped you rethink documentation — give it a 👍 and comment your biggest takeaway!
➡️ Subscribe for more innovation-focused strategies for dental teams
@InspiredHygiene
 
#DentalInnovation #DentalBilling #DentalCompliance #InsuranceDocumentation #PeriodontalCare #HygieneLeadership #ProductiveHygiene #DentalPracticeManagement #InspiredHygienePodcast

S3 E3: AI & Tech Integration in Dentistry: From Shiny Object to Standard of Care

In this Inspired Hygiene Podcast episode, host Rachel Wall sits down with Alicia Maria, RDH (Hands-On Demand; Regional Dental Hygiene Coach at Dental Care Alliance) and Laura Nelson (Founder, Front Office Rocks; VP of AI at Mango Voice; author of Brush Up on AI) to show how practices move beyond dabbling and truly integrate AI and technology—clinically and operationally—to thrive in 2026 and beyond. Learn the “why,” the workflow, and the team calibration that turn tools into outcomes: better diagnosis and documentation, clearer patient communication, stronger case acceptance, and less back-office chaos.
What you’ll learn
How to define and align a Standard of Care so AI enhances (not confuses) diagnosis and perio protocols
Practical ways AI supports radiographic analysis, documentation, and insurance narratives—with human oversight
Scanning that sells itself: patient-facing engagement using intraoral scanners, OHS, and simulators
Front-office wins: call summaries, coverage checks, and task automation that give time back to the team
Implementation pitfalls (and fixes): training, calibration, and “what does this replace?”
How embracing AI elevates team skills and future-proofs your career
Take action
Pick one clinical and one front-office workflow to optimize with AI.
Document “what it replaces” + success metrics; test for 30 days.
Train the team, calibrate language, and update your Standard of Care.
Download the Inspired Hygiene Standard of Care Worksheet here: https://inspiredhygiene.com/standard-of-care-worksheet/ 
Connect with our guests: 
Laura Nelson, https://lauranelsonspeaks.com/
Laura’s book, Brush Up on Ai, - https://a.co/d/cVx4f8b 
Alicia Murria, https://aliciamurria.com/ 
If this was helpful, subscribe, hit the 🔔, and tell us in the comments which workflow you’ll integrate first.
— Disclaimer: AI augments—not replaces—clinical judgment and patient-specific decisions.
#DentalHygiene #DentalAI #PracticeManagement #IntraoralScanning #RadiographyAI #DentalTeam #CaseAcceptance #DentalLeadership #HygieneGrowth #DSO

S3 E4: Your Online Presence Is Your New Front Door (and Hiring Engine)

Before anyone calls, applies, or walks in, they’ve already met you online. In this episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, we dive into how dental practices and industry vendors can move beyond “posting just to post” and build a strategic, consistent social presence that attracts ideal patients, strengthens community trust, and even fills tough-to-hire roles.
Guests
Rita Zamora — Founder, RitaZamora.com & Connect90.com: content calendars, curated prompts, and a “done-for-you” option that helps teams show up authentically (no stock photos).
Sarah Ruberg — Founder, OurThriveTribe.co: teaches vendors/DSOs how to use LinkedIn and relationship-first engagement to grow real influence.
In This Episode
From dabbling to durable: Turn spontaneous ideas into a 60–90 minute monthly plan that aligns with the services you want more of (implants, clear aligners, etc.).
Authentic beats stock: Why real faces, real cases, and short clips outperform—and how Google/AI increasingly reward authentic content.
Consistency over virality: Post patterns that convert (and what to stop chasing).
Recruitment booster: How social media attracts values-aligned hygienists, assistants, administrators and associates—and improves retention.
Community flywheel: Practical engagement that builds local partnerships and referrals.
ROI that actually matters: Calls, online scheduling links, DMs, review velocity—and the simple questions to ask every new patient.
Action Steps
Block 60–90 min/month to map posts around your top services.
Capture team-first media (phone is fine): candid smiles, behind-the-scenes, case progress, community moments.
Post openings on your channels + local groups; always be recruiting.
Launch/refresh your LinkedIn Company Page and consider a simple newsletter.
Add online scheduling links to profiles to track which channel books.
Engage with intent: comment meaningfully on local orgs, mom groups, and industry leaders (relationships beat cold outreach).
Connect with our guests: 
Sarah Ruberg, OurThriveTribe.co
 
Rita Zamora, RitaZamora.com; Connect90.com
Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share with a colleague who’s ready to level up their online presence.
#Dentistry #DentalMarketing #DentalHygiene #DSO #PracticeGrowth #ClearAligners #DentalImplants #Recruitment #LinkedInMarketing #PatientExperience #ReputationManagement #InspiredHygiene
 

S3 E5: Building Flexible Dental Teams That Thrive

This episode of the Inspired Hygiene podcast digs into the #1 challenge dental practices still face—staffing—and how to innovate beyond “making do” to build flexible, stable teams that win in 2026 and beyond. Host Rachel is joined by Jennifer Steadman, Inspired Hygiene Director of Operations, to reframe flexibility as a strategic advantage, share modern recruiting playbooks that go far beyond job boards, and outline clear, fair ways to approach performance-based compensation without sacrificing patient care—or trust.
 
What you’ll learn:
 
Why flexibility (shifts, job-sharing, team hygiene) can boost productivity, morale, and patient access
 
Practical shift models (7–7 split schedules, 7–5 two-block days) and the tight communication systems that make them work
 
Recruiting that actually works today: social proof on your practice socials, employee-shared posts, local scholarships, mentorship mixers, career days, and vocational/coop pipelines
 
Retention beyond the paycheck: benefits mapping, HSA options, financial-wellness support, and investing in personal + professional growth
 
How to introduce performance-based hygiene compensation the right way (simple metrics, show 3 months of “old vs new” take-home, equip the team to win)
 
Leading through culture: growth mindset and everyday innovation
 
Download Season 3 ACTION PLAN here: https://bit.ly/44A5Nnf
 
Enjoyed this season?
👍 Like the video
📝 Comment with your biggest staffing win or challenge
🔔 Subscribe so you don’t miss Season 4
👥 Share this episode with an owner or office manager who needs it
 
#dentistry #dentalhygiene #dentalpractice
 
—
Disclaimer: Always verify state supervision and HIPAA requirements before adopting scheduling/communication workflows.

Season 3 Bonus! The Inspired Hygiene System: A Practical Framework to Optimize Your Hygiene Department

In this bonus episode of the Inspired Hygiene Podcast, Rachel Wall breaks down the complete Inspired Hygiene System—a proven, holistic framework designed to help practices elevate hygiene services, implement clear systems, and build true team calibration.
This episode delivers actionable next steps you can apply immediately to strengthen clinical outcomes for patients and business outcomes for the practice and team.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Rachel walks through the 8 components of the Inspired Hygiene System and shares practical ways to evaluate where your practice stands and where to improve:
1) Leadership Why every successful hygiene transformation starts with a committed clinical leader—and how to define a clear vision for what hygiene should be for patients, the team, and the practice.
2) Mindset How to identify and overcome common belief barriers (time, scheduling, “patients won’t pay,” fear of tough conversations) and replace them with a compelling “why.”
3) Empowered Team A straightforward strategy for dentists and leaders: Permission + Knowledge + Accountability—so hygienists can confidently support co-diagnosis and tee up treatment.
4) Calibration How to reduce inconsistency across providers and build trust through a written standard of care (including a free resource to help you get started).
5) Clinical Protocols The clinical details that often get missed—and why complete periodontal assessments must include more than pocket depths.
6) Communication Where breakdowns happen most often and how to create a consistent, repeatable flow that improves patient acceptance.
7) Business Processes Why you can’t “fix” clinical systems without supporting operations—especially documentation and scheduling capacity.
8) Metrics What to track, why it matters, and how metrics help teams see progress, identify bottlenecks, and celebrate wins.
Mentioned in the Episode
Practice case studies + testimonials: InspiredHygiene.com
Free resources (including Standard of Care guidance): Inspired Hygiene website → Free Resources
Want Rachel to Present This System to Your Group?
Rachel shares that the Inspired Hygiene System is now available as a 3-6 hour presentation for study clubs and organizations—designed for dentists and team members to attend together. (Contact details available in the show notes.)
If this episode was helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a practice leader or hygienist who’s ready to bring clarity, calibration, and momentum to their hygiene department.
#InspiredHygiene #DentalHygiene #Dentistry #Perio #PracticeManagement #DentalLeadership #TeamCalibration #DentalSystems #PatientCare #DentalKPIs