What does truly integrated care look like – and what role should dental hygienists play in it? As National Children's Dental Health Month comes to a close, host Matt Crespin sits down with two speakers from ADHA's first-ever Integrated Care Summit to explore how medical-dental integration is reshaping patient care. Nevada hygienist Jessica Woods shares real-world cases – from cardiologist referrals to coordinating airway care for her own daughter – that prove integration isn't just for public health settings. Pediatrician Dr. Connie Gundacker offers a medical perspective, revealing why most physicians receive little to no oral health training and how hygienists can bridge that gap. Together, they make a compelling case: dental hygienists are uniquely positioned to lead integration efforts, if the profession seizes the opportunity. Matt also covers ADHA award nominations, OPA legislative updates and upcoming events. Join these speakers and more at the Integrated Care Summit, May 15–17 in Broomfield, Colorado.

Guests: Constance Gundacker, MD, MPH, FAAP, Section Chief of General and Community Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin and Jessica L. Woods, MPH, RDH, FADHA, Chief Executive Officer, Executive RDH

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

Nursing achieved self-regulation a century ago – so why not dental hygiene? Your host Matt Crespin explores this with Cindy Gadbury-Amyot and Sylvie Martel, lead authors of the ADHA’s newly released white paper on self-regulation. With 97% of Canadian dental hygienists self-regulated, Sylvie shares lessons from a 30-year journey of patience, resilience and coalition-building. Meanwhile, Cindy sounds the alarm on threats like Missouri's Oral Preventive Assistant pilot project – and explains why similar legislation is being introduced across the U.S. This episode tackles the big questions: Who should determine scope of practice? How does regulation by dental boards limit access to care? And what will it take to move the profession forward? Whether you're new to the self-regulation conversation or have been advocating for decades, this is essential listening.

Guests: Cynthia C. Gadbury-Amyot, RDH, MS, EdD, FADHA; Sylvie Martel, RDH, DipHE (Andragogy)

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

adha.org/WhitePapers

adha.org/WorkingForYou

https://www.adha.org/TakeAction

https://www.adha.org/advocacy/opa/

The Journal of Dental Hygiene turns 100 in 2026 – and Editor in Chief Cathy Draper joins Matt Crespin to preview the year-long celebration: congratulatory letters from association and industry partners, social media scavenger hunts through the archives, "then and now" features comparing dental hygiene in 1926 versus today, vintage cover showcases, and festivities at ADHA26 in Fort Worth. Believe it or not, some topics from that first 1926 issue are still conversations we're having a century later. In Cathy's recent editorial "The Power of Us," she challenges dental hygienists to recognize the influence they hold in every patient interaction – and makes the case for why peer-reviewed research remains essential for advancing scope of practice.

Guest: Cathy Draper, RDH, MS, FADHA, Editor in Chief, Journal of Dental Hygiene
Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

When competitive eating champion meets dental hygiene student, you get a episode unlike any other. Matt Crespin welcomes Miki Sudo – an 11-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest champion who holds the world record of 51 hot dogs in 10 minutes and is preparing to graduate from the dental hygiene program at Hillsborough Community College in spring 2025. Miki shares her unexpected journey from professional competitive eater to future dental hygienist as she seeks long-term stability as a wife and mother. She opens up about entering the program with no dental experience, battling self-doubt and discovering genuine passion for the profession. From training with her husband (also a competitive eater) to being recognized by patients, Miki's story reveals determination behind balancing two demanding careers. Her advice: take things one step at a time and believe in your capabilities. Whether it's one hot dog or one chapter at a time – people are capable of amazing things. 

Guest: Miki Sudo, Dental Hygiene Student, 11-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Champion 

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

https://majorleagueeating.com/eaters/222

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yePLRwc607Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1lvjSRNpwM

Matt sits down with Australian dental hygienist and entrepreneur Tabitha Acret for a conversation that moves from career inspiration to life-saving advocacy. Tabitha shares how she discovered dental hygiene while working as a dental assistant during law school, then built a dynamic career across clinical practice, academia, her own periodontal education company, and co-hosting Disrupting Dentistry Podcast. The conversation shifts as Tabitha opens up about why Domestic Violence Awareness Month carries profound meaning for her. She reveals the powerful position dental hygienists hold spending up to an hour with patients—creating opportunities to recognize warning signs and offer critical support. Tabitha shares practical secondary prevention strategies, from identifying signs and asking sensitive questions to protecting your own mental health when patients disclose trauma.

Guest: Tabitha Acret, RDH, OM, BOH, Grad Cert Public Health, MSc Dental Hygiene

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

Disrupting Dentistry Podcast (Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/disrupting-dentistry-podcast/id1534781785

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: https://ncadv.org/
Domestic Violence Awareness Project (DVAP): https://www.dvawareness.org/

National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/ (1-800-799-7233)

Latest on Domestic Violence laws in Australia: https://tinyurl.com/mtm8es8d 

Workplace violence in healthcare is reaching crisis levels – and dental hygienists aren't immune. Host Matt Crespin sits down with Jeff Schill, Vice President of Training at the Crisis Prevention Institute, to tackle a challenge many face but few discuss. With 81% of healthcare workers experiencing workplace violence in the past year, the need for de-escalation skills has never been more urgent. Jeff explains why poor communication fuels most crises and shares practical techniques like the power of breathing and allowing silence. This conversation delivers actionable strategies every dental professional can use immediately, whether in clinical practice or educational settings. Don't miss the downloadable resource with 10 quick tips for managing crisis situations.

Guest: Jeff Schill, Vice President of Training, Crisis Prevention Institute

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

Crisis Prevention Institute: https://www.crisisprevention.com;

Top 10 De-escalation Tips for Health Care Professionals: https://www.crisisprevention.com/library/health-care/top-10-de-escalation-tips-for-health-care;

ADHA Rebrands Podcast to "Hygiene Rising": https://www.adha.org/newsroom/adha-rebrands-podcast-to-hygiene-rising/ 

Discover your power to drive change in dental hygiene. Derik Sven reveals model legislation for dental hygiene autonomy—a blueprint hygienists can champion in their states. Federal lobbyist Quardricos Driskell shares how to amplify your voice through federal advocacy and Congressional relationships. Abby Rennau demonstrates the impact of taking action—applying for the Esther Wilkins Scholarship transformed her career, enabling bachelor's and master's degrees while teaching future hygienists. Dr. Sonika Masih shows how individual initiative creates impact through her ADHA Foundation grant "Giving Smiles," removing financial barriers for patients at Minnesota State University's clinic. Each story proves that individual action creates collective change.

Guests: Derik J. Sven, MPH, MBA, RDH, CDT, FADHA, President, VDHA; Quardricos Driskell, Federal Lobbyist, Lobbyit; Abby G. Rennau, RDH, BSDH, MEd, Clinical Instructor, Central Community College; Dr. Sonika Masih, BDS, MS, RDH, EdD, Associate Professor, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

Links: https://www.adha.org | https://www.adha.org/foundation | https://www.adha2025.org

Final day from the ADHA25 exhibit floor brings conversations on collaboration, global leadership, and innovation. Amber Mendoza of Heartland Dental discusses building career ecosystems for 6,000 hygienists through mentorship infrastructure. Dr. Bill Paveletz with VOCO chats with Matt about the latest prevention products on the market.  IFDH President Jill Rethman shares the federation's global white paper series and previews the 2026 International Symposium in Milan. ADHA President Lancette VanGuilder joins Gary Pickard from PDS Health to announce a groundbreaking dental care benefit program for ADHA members and their families through PDS Health's 1,200+ practices. Katrina Sanders reveals Waterpik's Precisionist Campaign—a patient-centric approach to customized home care protocols that empowers periodontal patients with targeted self-care tools.

Guests: Amber Mendoza, RDH, Director of Hygiene Operations, Heartland Dental; Bill Paveletz, DMD North America Clinical Educator, VOCO; Jill Rethman, RDH, BA, FADHA, President, IFDH; Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, PHEDH, CEAS, FADHA, ADHA President; Gary Pickard, Senior Director, Government and Industry Affairs, PDS Health; Katrina Sanders, RDH, BSDH, MEd, RF

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

Links: https://heartland.com | https://ifdh.org | https://www.smilegenerationdentalplan.com/adha | https://www.waterpik.com | https://www.adha.org | https://www.adha2025.org

ADHA25 Podversations Saturday (Ep 167)

Day two from the ADHA25 exhibit floor features conversations on prevention and professional longevity. Haley Buckner of Elevate Oral Care highlights their All Day Dry Mouth line and reveals how combining povidone iodine with fluoride varnish prevents 31% more decay than varnish alone. Ergonomics specialist Katrina Klein introduces Philips' new Sonicare 7400 electric toothbrush with thinner brush head design and advanced pressure distribution. Jen Post from Solventum unveils ClinPro Clear—a water-based fluoride varnish designed for better patient acceptance. Bennett Blakeman, CEO of K Pharmaceuticals, explains how Aquoral's lipid-based formula creates lasting relief for chronic xerostomia patients. Dr. Kyle Hubbell from Kenvue presents clinical research supporting three-step oral hygiene routines and discusses Listerine's partnership with ADHA in advancing disease prevention education.

Guests: Haley Buckner, RDH, FADHA, Elevate Oral Care; Katrina Klein, RDH, CEAS, CPT, Philips; Jennifer Post, RDH, MDH, Solventum; Bennett Blakeman, CEO, K Pharmaceuticals; Dr. Kyle Hubbell, PhD, Senior Scientist, Kenvue

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

Related Links: https://www.elevateoralcare.com | https://ergofitlife.com | https://www.solventum.com | https://www.aquoralspray.com | https://www.philips.com/sonicare | https://www.listerine.com | https://www.adha2025.org

Straight from the Long Beach Convention Center, Matt takes you to the exhibit floor of the ADHA25 Annual Conference. Joining him is Jennifer Hill, ADHA CEO in her first appearance on the program discussing ADHA's recent governance transformation to a competency-based board, the newly completed three-year strategic plan focusing on autonomy for the profession, and she shares exciting news about a rebrand of this podcast program: look forward to "Hygiene RisingTM" launching in October during National Dental Hygiene Month. Industry leader Linda Miller, CEO of PDT Dental. discusses her 41-year journey in dental instruments, the ergonomic innovations behind her designs, and how clinician feedback shapes product development. Hygienist Inspired Ambassadors Hali Householder and Justin Nance share their passion for recruiting the next generation of dental hygienists through chairside conversations and high school career events across all 50 states.

Relate Links:

American Dental Hygienists' Association Rebrands Podcast to "Hygiene Rising™"

National Dental Hygiene Month 2025

Visit Paradise Dental Technologies

Hygienist Inspired Program, sponsored by Delta Dental Foundation

Take the Pledge! Become a Hygienist Inspired Ally

Matt Crespin welcomes Michelle Strange as co-host for a timely conversation with Michelle Lee from the Association for Dental Safety (ADS) during Dental Infection Control Awareness Month (DICAM). When the CDC eliminated its Division of Oral Health back in April, ADS stepped up to fill the gap. They launched the ADS Institute for Dental Safety and Science to oversee the dental infection prevention guidelines that thousands of practitioners rely on daily. Michelle Lee talks through the ADS's innovative "Ask ADS" AI chat tool — your go-to for vetted infection control answers. She also shares important upcoming dental infection events. Your hosts address common misconceptions in infection control compliance and the importance of moving beyond legacy errors. This episode is packed with practical insights every dental professional needs to keep patient safety front and center.

Guest: Michelle Lee, CPC, Executive Director, Association for Dental Safety
Co-Hosts: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA and Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH

Important Links: 

https://www.myads.org
https://www.myads.org/press-releases
https://www.myads.org/ask-ads
https://www.myads.org/resources