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 supportive blended family, Joe shares the personal experiences that shaped who he is today.

This conversation explores identity, acceptance, and the courage it takes to live authentically, especially within a professional setting. Joe reflects on how personal transformation doesn’t happen in isolation and how support systems, inclusion, and self-honesty can redefine both happiness and success in dentistry.

In this episode, we talk about:
▪️ Growing up in rural Ontario and early creative ambitions
▪️ Pursuing acting before dentistry
▪️ Coming out while in dental hygiene school
▪️ Fatherhood, co-parenting, and blended family life
▪️ Support systems, inclusion, and LGBTQ+ representation in dentistry
▪️ How living authentically can reshape both personal and professional paths

Connect with Joe:
Instagram → @joesiegfried_rdh

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If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment. 

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

_______________________________________

 📦 Amazon Store with my FAV things:

https://www.amazon.ca/shop/toothlife.irene?listId=YLX0271390I3

Follow on Social Media: 

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🙋🏼‍♀️Facebook Irene Iancu https://www.facebook.com/irene.iancu

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🛒Online Store and Instagram @Toothlife https://www.instagram.com/toothlife

🥼Office Instagram @ToothlifeStudio https://www.instagram.com/ToothlifeStudio

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🎤Podcast @ToothorDare.Podcast https://www.instagram.com/ToothorDare.Podcast

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🔗🌲Cool links in my Linktree https://linktr.ee/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 celebrated its 4th birthday when I discovered a bag of materials that were already two years expired. That was my wake-up call.

I knew it was time to make a change...so we overhauled Toothlife Studio using Zirc’s proven Color Method, and I haven’t looked back. If you’re looking to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and bring clarity to your clinical systems, you won’t want to miss this episode.

🔁 What Changed After Our Office “Reset”

Here’s what we discuss that has literally changed for the better:

🔵 Mismatched bins and organizers replaced with colour-coded cassettes, trays, and tubs by procedure
🔵 Instruments and materials grouped and easily identified by assigned procedure colour
🔵 Increased team efficiency with quicker setup and room turnover
🔵 Reduced waste and lower supply expenses
🔵 Smoother onboarding for temps and new hires

🎁 Try the System Yourself

Want a sample tub in the colour of your choice?

👉 GET YOUR TRIAL TUB HERE
⏩ https://tr.ee/Zirc-Tub-Trial-Kit ⏪

✌🏻 This episode is sponsored by Zirc Dental Products.

📲 Questions or Episode Topic Requests?

Follow @toothlife.irene and check the top 3 pinned posts to access the download and leave your questions in the comments.
We’ll be answering them in upcoming episodes!

If you made it all the way down here—hit like and leave a comment.
Until next time, peace out peeps! ✌️

📦 Amazon Store (My FAV Things)

https://www.amazon.ca/shop/toothlife.irene?listId=YLX0271390I3

🔗 Follow on Social Media

💁🏼‍♀️ Instagram: @toothlife.irene
https://www.instagram.com/toothlife.irene

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https://www.facebook.com/irene.iancu

💃🏼 TikTok: @toothlife.irene
https://www.tiktok.com/@toothlife.irene

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 she missed, and the challenges she didn’t.

We also discuss how yoga therapy works using breath, movement, and awareness and how simple “yoga snacks” throughout the day can help prevent stress and pain. Caitlin explains the misconceptions many people have about yoga, why small consistent habits matter, and the importance of showing up for patients while also taking care of yourself.

 

In this episode, we talk about:

▪️ The car accident that sparked Caitlin’s interest in health and shaped her early career

▪️ The pain and injuries she faced in her first years as a hygienist

▪️ Misconceptions about yoga and how anyone can benefit from it

▪️ Leaving hygiene and returning three years later with a new perspective

▪️ Simple routines like short yoga practices, hydration, and small adjustments that fit into a busy day

 

If you’ve ever wondered how to make a career in hygiene more sustainable, Caitlin’s story offers both honesty and practical ideas you can start using right away.

 

Connect with Caitlin:

Instagram → @thealignedhygienist 

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If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment. 

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

_______________________________________

 📦 Amazon Store with my FAV things:

https://www.amazon.ca/shop/toothlife.irene?listId=YLX0271390I3

Follow on Social Media: 

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💁🏼‍♀️Personal Instagram @Toothlife.Irene https://www.instagram.com/toothlife.irene

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💃🏼TikTok @Toothlife.Irene https://www.tiktok.com/@toothlife.irene

🛒Online Store and Instagram @Toothlife https://www.instagram.com/toothlife

🥼Office Instagram @ToothlifeStudio https://www.instagram.com/ToothlifeStudio

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🎤Podcast @ToothorDare.Podcast https://www.instagram.com/ToothorDare.Podcast

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🔗🌲Cool links in my Linktree https://linktr.ee/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 to advocate so loudly. She talks about how she found her way into dental hygiene, the challenges she faced during school, and the reality of balancing her education with everyday life. She shares honest thoughts on pay, benefits, and the culture inside dental practices, along with how mentorship and saying “yes” to opportunities shaped her career.

We chat about:

▪️ Her view of patient care has grown, and the lessons she’s carried with her along the way.

▪️ The twists and challenges that shaped Bethany’s path into dental hygiene.

▪️ How she managed the balance between school, work, and personal life.

▪️ Real conversations about pay, benefits, and the culture inside dental practices.

▪️ The value of mentors and what can happen when you say “yes” to new opportunities.

▪️ How her outlook on how professional growth has changed over time.

 

If you’re curious about what it takes to build a meaningful career in dental hygiene or just need some encouragement to keep pushing forward this conversation is full of stories and insights worth hearing.

 

Connect with Bethany:

Instagram → @humanrdh

_____________________________________________________

If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment. 

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

_______________________________________

 📦 Amazon Store with my FAV things:

https://www.amazon.ca/shop/toothlife.irene?listId=YLX0271390I3

Follow on Social Media: 

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💁🏼‍♀️Personal Instagram @Toothlife.Irene https://www.instagram.com/toothlife.irene

Personal Instagram: @victoriaarmaly_ https://www.instagram.com/victoriaarmaly_

🙋🏼‍♀️Facebook Irene Iancu https://www.facebook.com/irene.iancu

💃🏼TikTok @Toothlife.Irene https://www.tiktok.com/@toothlife.irene

🛒Online Store and Instagram @Toothlife https://www.instagram.com/toothlife

🥼Office Instagram @ToothlifeStudio https://www.instagram.com/ToothlifeStudio

______________________________________

🎤Podcast @ToothorDare.Podcast https://www.instagram.com/ToothorDare.Podcast

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🔗🌲Cool links in my Linktree https://linktr.ee/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 insurance does not cover what are considered adjunctive therapies, even though studies show that a combination of treatments is more effective in the long run. (link to study?)

In this episode, Irene and Vic discuss the valuable role of probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, in the perio treatment plan. Microscopic problems require microscopic solutions! Get ready to learn:

• How to get patients to accept your treatment plan
• Why dental coverage is getting worse (and how to get around this)
• What the new standard should be for SRP appointments
• The many benefits of oral probiotics and different methods of delivery
• How to integrate them into your perio workflow

Download the perio resource which is completely customizable to fit your practice: 

Toothlife🔖 Downloadable Resources 🔖https://www.toothlife.ca/collections/%F0%9F%94%96-downloadable-resources-%F0%9F%94%96 

📲 Questions or Episode Topic Requests?

@toothlife.irene — Check the top 3 pinned posts to access the download and leave your questions in the comments.

We'll be answering them in upcoming episodes!

If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment. 

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

_______________________________________

 📦 Amazon Store with my FAV things:

https://www.amazon.ca/shop/toothlife.irene?listId=YLX0271390I3

Follow on Social Media: 

_______________________________________

💁🏼‍♀️Personal Instagram @Toothlife.Irene https://www.instagram.com/toothlife.irene

Personal Instagram: @victoriaarmaly_ https://www.instagram.com/victoriaarmaly_

🙋🏼‍♀️Facebook Irene Iancu https://www.facebook.com/irene.iancu

💃🏼TikTok @Toothlife.Irene https://www.tiktok.com/@toothlife.irene

🛒Online Store and Instagram @Toothlife https://www.instagram.com/toothlife

🥼Office Instagram @ToothlifeStudio https://www.instagram.com/ToothlifeStudio

______________________________________

🎤Podcast @ToothorDare.Podcast https://www.instagram.com/ToothorDare.Podcast

_______________________________________

🔗🌲Cool links in my Linktree https://linktr.ee/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
▪️ Stories from people who felt let down by the experience
▪️ The bigger impact discount dentistry has on the profession

What’s Really Happening Behind the “Too Good to Be True” Offers

Some dental offices advertise low-fee cleanings to attract patients, especially those without insurance. But when you call to book, the information often changes. What sounds legal on paper can cross the line when the details aren’t disclosed up front.

RCDSO Guidelines You Should Know

The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) requires that all advertising and promotions be:

• Accurate and Verifiable: Fees, services, and any conditions must be truthful and backed by facts.

• Transparent on Limitations: Any restrictions—such as “new patients only,” extra fees for exams/X-rays, or limited-time offers—must be clearly stated in the ad itself, not revealed only after a patient calls.

• Non-Misleading for the Uninsured: Promotions targeting patients without insurance cannot imply that essential care will be fully covered if additional treatment is required.

Why It Matters

From what I've read, many patients have left negative reviews after feeling bait-and-switched, and there are repeated reports of high staff turnover in these offices, with employees leaving reviews under alias names. This is another warning sign that the culture behind the marketing may be just as shaky as the promotion itself.

If you care about honesty in healthcare and want to know what really happens behind bargain-basement dental ads, this episode is worth your time. Perhaps motivation for those to stop subscribing to marketing like this, and I hope it finds the right ears better to regulate this shady form of marketing in dentistry once and for all—especially for those of us doing it cleanly.

If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment.
Until next time, peace out peeps! ✌️

📦 Amazon Store – My FAV Things
https://www.amazon.ca/shop/toothlife.irene?listId=YLX0271390I3

Follow on Social Media

💁🏼‍♀️ Personal Instagram – @Toothlife.Irene
https://www.instagram.com/toothlife.irene

🙋🏼‍♀️ Facebook – Irene Iancu
https://www.facebook.com/irene.iancu

💃🏼 TikTok – @Toothlife.Irene
https://www.tiktok.com/@toothlife.irene

🛒 Online Store & Instagram – @Toothlife
https://www.instagram.com/toothlife

🥼 Office Instagram – @ToothlifeStudio
https://www.instagram.com/ToothlifeStudio

🎤 Podcast – @ToothorDare.Podcast
https://www.instagram.com/ToothorDare.Podcast

🔗🌲 All the Cool Links
https://linktr.ee/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 malocclusion being a significant one.  

We discuss: 

• How a slight vertical defect can lead to deterioration of bone.
• What is traumatic occlusion, and how is it identified?
• How old restorations contribute to occlusal issues
• What to look for before jumping straight to perio as the cause

Our friends at Designs for Vision brought this episode to you. 

Designs for Vision is providing a 45-day trial of their loupes to our listeners! No strings attached.  If you don't love the loupes, simply send them back for a refund. 

To learn more, visit 

https://www.designsforvision.com/DentHtml/D-InfinityGA.htm

 

📲 Questions or Episode Topic Requests?

@toothlife.irene — Check the top 3 pinned posts to access the download and leave your questions in the comments.

We'll be answering them in upcoming episodes!

 

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

_______________________________________

 📦 Amazon Store with my FAV things:

https://www.amazon.ca/shop/toothlife.irene?listId=YLX0271390I3

Follow on Social Media: 

_______________________________________

💁🏼‍♀️Personal Instagram @Toothlife.Irene

https://www.instagram.com/toothlife.irene

Personal Instagram: @victoriaarmaly_

https://www.instagram.com/victoriaarmaly_

🙋🏼‍♀️Facebook Irene Iancu

https://www.facebook.com/irene.iancu

💃🏼TikTok @Toothlife.Irene

https://www.tiktok.com/@toothlife.irene

🛒Online Store and Instagram @Toothlife

https://www.instagram.com/toothlife

🥼Office Instagram @ToothlifeStudio

https://www.instagram.com/ToothlifeStudio

______________________________________

🎤Podcast @ToothorDare.Podcast

https://www.instagram.com/ToothorDare.Podcast

_______________________________________

🔗🌲Cool links in my Linktree

https://linktr.ee/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 the dental community, how she balances patient care with online work, and the lessons she’s learned from both praise and criticism.

She also opens up about winning the World Hygienist Award and what that means for her mission to improve public prevention and reach underserved populations.

We cover:

▪️ Balancing clinical work with online content creation

▪️ Navigating criticism and protecting your mental health

▪️ Key marketing differences in dental hygiene regulations between Canada & the U.S.

▪️ Creative strategies for reaching underserved communities

▪️ How winning the World Hygienist Award shaped her career and advocacy work.

If you’re curious about building your brand, expanding your clinical career, or making an impact through dental hygiene advocacy, this conversation is for you.

Connect with Britt: Instagram → @brushwithbritt TikTok → @brushwithbritt YouTube

If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment.

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

_______________________________________

📦 Amazon Store with my FAV things:

https://www.amazon.ca/shop/toothlife.irene?listId=YLX0271390I3

Follow on Social Media _______________________________________

💁🏼‍♀️Personal Instagram @Toothlife.Irene https://www.instagram.com/toothlife.irene

🙋🏼‍♀️Facebook Irene Iancu https://www.facebook.com/irene.iancu

💃🏼TikTok @Toothlife.Irene https://www.tiktok.com/@toothlife.irene

🛒Online Store and Instagram @Toothlife https://www.instagram.com/toothlife

🥼Office Instagram @ToothlifeStudio https://www.instagram.com/ToothlifeStudio

_______________________________________

🎤Podcast @ToothorDare.Podcast https://www.instagram.com/ToothorDare.Podcast

_______________________________________

🔗🌲Cool links in my Linktree https://linktr.ee/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 one Irene was denied admission to, despite a lengthy appeal process.)   

We chat all about her journey, course load and length. 

If you’re considering this program or one like it, you’ll want to hear Vic’s experience as a student, including:

▪️Career opportunities with a dental hygiene degree

▪️What to consider if you want to teach 

▪️Balancing studying while working full-time

▪️Would Irene have done well in this program if she were accepted?

We also talk about Irene, what's she going to do now. MBA perhaps? 

This episode of the Tooth or Dare podcast is sponsored by Philips Sonicare. Their innovative products, including electric toothbrushes with 62,000 brush movements per minute, help dental professionals meet diverse patient needs, from teeth whitening to gum health. 

For more information, visit the Philips website at www.philips.ca or comment below if you have any questions about their products. I'll happily answer! 

 

📲 Questions or Episode Topic Requests?

@toothlife.irene — Check the top 3 pinned posts to access the download and leave your questions in the comments.

We'll be answering them in upcoming episodes!

If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment. 

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

_______________________________________

 📦 Amazon Store with my FAV things:

https://www.amazon.ca/shop/toothlife.irene?listId=YLX0271390I3

Follow on Social Media: 

_______________________________________

💁🏼‍♀️Personal Instagram @Toothlife.Irene https://www.instagram.com/toothlife.irene

Personal Instagram: @victoriaarmaly_ https://www.instagram.com/victoriaarmaly_

🙋🏼‍♀️Facebook Irene Iancu https://www.facebook.com/irene.iancu

💃🏼TikTok @Toothlife.Irene https://www.tiktok.com/@toothlife.irene

🛒Online Store and Instagram @Toothlife https://www.instagram.com/toothlife

🥼Office Instagram @ToothlifeStudio https://www.instagram.com/ToothlifeStudio

______________________________________

🎤Podcast @ToothorDare.Podcast https://www.instagram.com/ToothorDare.Podcast

_______________________________________

🔗🌲Cool links in my Linktree https://linktr.ee/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 wondering how much my insurance would cover for new sunglasses, the optometrist said something that stopped me cold:

"Your eyes are 200% worse this year than they were last year."

It wasn’t vague. It wasn’t sugar-coated. It was direct, backed by a scan, and paired with a clear treatment plan. If I didn’t follow through with the exercises, medical devices, and recommendations, I could face long-term vision loss. Simple. Clear. Urgent.

And it hit me: this is exactly what patients need from us in the dental chair, clarity without judgment, and a transparent, actionable path forward.

In this episode of Op Talk, Vic and I explore how that one appointment reshaped the way I approach communication and education in my operatory. We often expect compliance, but fail to deliver the kind of information that actually empowers patients to act. If they don’t understand the problem, they won’t prioritize the solution.

 

👂 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

How visual aids help patients truly understand their condition

Why does using measurable data hit harder than subjective language

The real reasons patients delay action or ignore recommendations

Why do they wait for scheduled visits to bring up concerns

The surprising power of printed or written take-home tools in a digital world

 

🔗 Resources:

📥 Download the free educational resource discussed in this episode:

https://toothlife.ca 

 

📲 Questions or Episode Topic Requests?

@toothlife.irene — Check the top 3 pinned posts to access the download and leave your questions in the comments.

We'll be answering them in upcoming episodes!

 

If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment.

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

_______________________________________

📦 Amazon Store with my FAV things:

https://www.amazon.ca/shop/toothlife.irene?listId=YLX0271390I3 

Follow on Social Media:

_______________________________________

💁🏼‍♀️Personal Instagram @Toothlife.Irene

https://www.instagram.com/toothlife.irene 

🙋🏼‍♀️Facebook Irene Iancu

https://www.facebook.com/irene.iancu

💃🏼TikTok @Toothlife.Irene

https://www.tiktok.com/@toothlife.irene 

🛒Online Store and Instagram @Toothlife

https://www.instagram.com/toothlife 

🥼Office Instagram @ToothlifeStudio

https://www.instagram.com/ToothlifeStudio 

_______________________________________

🎤Podcast @ToothorDare.Podcast

https://www.instagram.com/ToothorDare.Podcast 

_______________________________________

🔗🌲Cool links in my Linktree

https://linktr.ee/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 consistency and patient care.

Have you ever found yourself hesitating during a treatment recommendation, wondering if insurance, patient “vibes,” or financial concerns might hold them back? Irene shares her turning point in the operatory when she realized how external influences were clouding clinical decisions. This inspired the creation of a free downloadable perio resource, designed to support clarity, confidence, and clinical excellence.

 

Don’t miss these highlights:

💡 How to explain perio therapy to first-time patients, including the one-liner Irene now uses in every case:

“I'm here to present you with options and make suggestions. In the end, you're the one making decisions.”

🧫 The clinical benefits of incorporating oral probiotics into therapy

📊 A closer look at this 2022 study comparing:

SRP alone vs. SRP + Diode Laser + 3% H₂O₂ that results showed significantly reduced bleeding on probing and pocket depths with the adjunctive laser/H₂O₂ treatment. Comment below if you want the study.

Link to that study here: 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8953835/

 

📅 Why re-eval and maintenance visits should be booked at the time of SRP and not after.

📎 How having a consistent, clear perio protocol can help improve case acceptance and clinical outcomes.

🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast platform

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: Watch it here

📄 Download the free perio protocol resource at toothlife.ca or via the top pinned posts on Instagram at @toothlife.irene.

 

Leave a comment there with your questions, we’re answering them in upcoming episodes!

 

If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment.

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

_______________________________________

📦 Amazon Store with my FAV things:

https://www.amazon.ca/shop/toothlife.irene?listId=YLX0271390I3

Follow on Social Media:

_______________________________________

💁🏼‍♀️Personal Instagram @Toothlife.Irene

https://www.instagram.com/toothlife.irene

🙋🏼‍♀️Facebook Irene Iancu

https://www.facebook.com/irene.iancu 

💃🏼TikTok @Toothlife.Irene

https://www.tiktok.com/@toothlife.irene 

🛒Online Store and Instagram @Toothlife

https://www.instagram.com/toothlife 

🥼Office Instagram @ToothlifeStudio

https://www.instagram.com/ToothlifeStudio 

_______________________________________

🎤Podcast @ToothorDare.Podcast

https://www.instagram.com/ToothorDare.Podcast 

_______________________________________

🔗🌲Cool links in my Linktree

https://linktr.ee/TOOTHLIFE.IRENE