Dental hygienists don't diagnose." It's one of the most persistent misconceptions in the profession, and it's wrong. Podcast host Matt Crespin sits down with the three co-authors of ADHA's newly released white paper "Dental Hygiene Diagnosis" (DHDx) to set the record straight. Darlene Swigart, Krista Beaty, and Toni McLeroy explain where this misconception came from, why the language we use shapes our professional identity, and how every hygienist is already making diagnostic decisions — from elevated blood pressure to food insecurity — whether they call it that or not. They walk through the Gurenlian and Swigart DHDx model, the case for standardizing terminology across education and state practice acts, and why CODA must reinstate DHDx explicitly into accreditation standards. Plus: how to start documenting dental hygiene diagnoses tomorrow morning, how AI fits into the diagnostic process, and why naming what we do is the first step to elevating the entire profession. Essential listening for every dental hygienist, in any practice setting.

Guests: Darlene J. Swigart, EPDH, MS, FADHA; Krista L. Beaty, MS, RDH; Toni McLeroy, CRDH, MSDH, FADHA

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

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/

This week, Matt chats with ADHA President, Sharlee Burch, RDH, MPH, EdD, about the accomplishments of the past year and how ADHA is the voice for dental hygienists nationwide. Listen in as they discuss the various ways in which ADHA is advocating for hygienists at the national level including Matt's work with Ann Lynch, ADHA's Directory of Advocacy as part of the newly launched Technical Assistance Group, as they explore interstate licensure compacts to improve license portability. And join us next week as we continue our recap of 2021!

Quotes:

"If you dig in there you are going to find something that is valuable to you right now."

"ADHA is the voice for Dental Hygiene."

"Guess what? The mouth is connected to the rest of our body."

"It shouldn't be that difficult to figure out but we are so separated."

"Everyone is on the same page when it comes to license portability."

"It can be really complex for people who just want to practice in their profession."

Links

www.apha.org

https://www.apha.org/APHA-Communities/Member-Sections/Oral-Health

The health and wellness of the dental hygiene community and the patients you serve is our top priority. We are closely monitoring developments surrounding COVID-19 and will continue to keep you informed. For more information from ADHA, visit https://www.adha.org/covid19.

COVID QUESTION EMAIL: rdhcovidinfo@ahda.net

www.ADHA2021.org

Matt's Email: MattC@ADHA.net

ADHA Annual Report: https://www.adha.org/annual-reports

Visit www.adha.org for membership processing,

membership updates, renewals and conference registration!

FAQ: https://www.adha2020.org/faq/

American Dental Hygienists' Association homepage: https://www.adha.org/

ADHA Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/youradha/

The Dental Podcast Network Channel One homepage:

http://dentalpodcastnetworkchannelone.otcpn.libsynpro.com/

This week, Matt discusses the importance of including an oral health benefit in Medicare and what ADHA is doing to help make it happen. Joining the conversation, Matt's esteemed guests include Vice President for Grant Making at Care Quest institute, Dr. Michael Monopoli, DMD, MPH, MS, FACD; Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships at Families USA, Melissa Burroughs and Senior Attorney with the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Wey-Wey Kwok.Don't miss this pivotal panel discussion about this monumental opportunity and what you can do to help.

Quotes:

"Medicare is our country's revered Federal health insurance program."

"All together about 63 Million Americans are enrolled in Medicare."

"Dental care generally falls outside of the defined set of benefits that Medicare covers."

"Congress has anpportunity to significantly lower healthcare costs and narrow disparities in healthcare."

"I do continue to hear dental mentioned when legislators talk about the bill."

"The mouth is a part of the body and you really can't have comprehensive benefits if you don't include oral health."

"People in America are very supportive of adding oral care to Medicare."

"Roughly 9 in 10 voters supported adding oral care to medicare, approximately 90% of Democrats and 80% of Republicans."

Links

The health and wellness of the dental hygiene community and the patients you serve is our top priority. We are closely monitoring developments surrounding COVID-19 and will continue to keep you informed. For more information from ADHA, visit https://www.adha.org/covid19.

COVID QUESTION EMAIL: rdhcovidinfo@ahda.net

www.ADHA2021.org

Matt's Email: MattC@ADHA.net

ADHA Annual Report: https://www.adha.org/annual-reports

Visit www.adha.org for membership processing,

membership updates, renewals and conference registration!

FAQ: https://www.adha2020.org/faq/

American Dental Hygienists' Association homepage: https://www.adha.org/

ADHA Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/youradha/

The Dental Podcast Network Channel One homepage:

http://dentalpodcastnetworkchannelone.otcpn.libsynpro.com/

Spend time with multi-talented RDH Amber Lovatos BSDH, RDH. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Matt Crespin discusses her children's book about oral health called Smiles Por Vida. She also updates listeners on the progress she's making in her mobile program as a result of receiving an ADHA IOH grant last year called Going Where No One Has Gone Before.

Quotes

"There is fulfillment in this profession."

"If you are unhappy where you are, change that, do something about it."

"The stories that were written in Spanish were not delivering the messages in the way we wanted them to."

"In the latin community there is a lot of colorism."

"If someone would have given me a book my mom would have read it to me."

"Being hispanic isn't a look at all."

"I've been more vocal and it's made some people uncomfortable."

"Try to say my last name, say our names, it won't hurt me if you say it incorrectly, it hurts me when you will not say my name."

Links

Smiles Por Vida

The health and wellness of the dental hygiene community and the patients you serve is our top priority. We are closely monitoring developments surrounding COVID-19 and will continue to keep you informed. For more information from ADHA, visit https://www.adha.org/covid19.

COVID QUESTION EMAIL: rdhcovidinfo@ahda.net

www.ADHA2021.org

Matt's Email: MattC@ADHA.net

ADHA Annual Report: https://www.adha.org/annual-reports

Visit www.adha.org for membership processing,

membership updates, renewals and conference registration!

FAQ: https://www.adha2020.org/faq/

American Dental Hygienists' Association homepage: https://www.adha.org/

ADHA Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/youradha/

The Dental Podcast Network Channel One homepage:

http://dentalpodcastnetworkchannelone.otcpn.libsynpro.com/

Final ADHA podcast of 2021! We're closing the year as the best-for-last conversation continues with ADHA President, Sharlee Burch, RDH, MPH, EdD. Part two includes more highlights from the year as well as a look ahead at some anticipated initiatives and events including our focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Dental Hygiene Leadership Summit (virtual and live) and ADHA22 in Louisville. Don't miss it and get ready for a fabulous 2022. https://bit.ly/3ECtqMd

Quotes:

"We are really focused on engaging with our members and being the voice of dental hygiene and bringing in more and more voices."

"This is how you can set up your nonprofit system to be successful."

"We want to be effective as an association."

"We want to be a place that is inclusive."

"It's okay if it looks different than it did 60 years ago, the way we practice isn't the same as it was 60 years ago."

"We want to be the resource for dental hygienists looking to grow their skill set and confidence and bolster their careers."

"We are going to be 100 years old, can you believe it!"

Links

www.apha.org

https://www.apha.org/APHA-Communities/Member-Sections/Oral-Health

The health and wellness of the dental hygiene community and the patients you serve is our top priority. We are closely monitoring developments surrounding COVID-19 and will continue to keep you informed. For more information from ADHA, visit https://www.adha.org/covid19.

COVID QUESTION EMAIL: rdhcovidinfo@ahda.net

www.ADHA2021.org

Matt's Email: MattC@ADHA.net

ADHA Annual Report: https://www.adha.org/annual-reports

Visit www.adha.org for membership processing,

membership updates, renewals and conference registration!

FAQ: https://www.adha2020.org/faq/

American Dental Hygienists' Association homepage: https://www.adha.org/

ADHA Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/youradha/

The Dental Podcast Network Channel One homepage:

http://dentalpodcastnetworkchannelone.otcpn.libsynpro.com/

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the US today. CDC'sTips from Former Smokers® campaign highlights real stories of real people living with smoking-related disease, including oral disease. In this episode, you'll learn more about Tips and how dental hygiene professionals can play a role in helping patients quit. You'll also hear from former smoker Brett, who shares his quit journey.

Quotes

"Tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable death in the USA."

"Over 1 million people have quit smoking because of the campaign."

"It shares the real stories of real people living with smoking related disease."

"Start these conversations even with your younger patients."

"I came into this not knowing how much our oral health affects our overall health."

Links

Tips From Former Smokers ® CDC

The health and wellness of the dental hygiene community and the patients you serve is our top priority. We are closely monitoring developments surrounding COVID-19 and will continue to keep you informed. For more information from ADHA, visit https://www.adha.org/covid19.

COVID QUESTION EMAIL: rdhcovidinfo@ahda.net

www.ADHA2021.org

Matt's Email: MattC@ADHA.net

ADHA Annual Report: https://www.adha.org/annual-reports

Visit www.adha.org for membership processing,

membership updates, renewals and conference registration!

FAQ: https://www.adha2020.org/faq/

American Dental Hygienists' Association homepage: https://www.adha.org/

ADHA Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/youradha/

The Dental Podcast Network Channel One homepage:

http://dentalpodcastnetworkchannelone.otcpn.libsynpro.com/