RDH's...Are you taking BP at every visit?

In this episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast, Irene and Victoria break down one of the most common questions in dental hygiene:

“Is taking blood pressure at every visit mandatory?”

Patients often say:

“I’ve never had this done before.”

So what do the guidelines actually say?

We discuss:

• Is blood pressure screening mandatory in Canada or the U.S.?
• What provincial and ADA guidelines recommend
• What to do when a reading is over 180/110
• Can patients decline?
• When to defer treatment or refer
• Real clinical stories from practice
• The disconnect between dental and medical care

Clinical stories shared:

- A patient with BP over 200 systolic who went to ER and was later medicated

- A young patient with elevated BP who turned out to be pregnant with gestational diabetes

- Patients dismissed to physicians

- What happened when a patient was told by physicians, “We’re not concerned and monitor.”

- The disconnect between dental and medical frameworks

Blood pressure screening is strongly recommended — but in most places, not legally required. So, where does that leave us as preventive healthcare professionals?

We unpack it and discuss the following Resources & References:

CDHO Hypertension Advisory

https://cdho.org/advisories/hypertension/

CDHO Hypertension Factsheet

https://cdho.org/factsheets/hypertension-in-adults/

American Dental Association – Hypertension

https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/hypertension?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Today’s RDH – Pre-Operative BP Screening

https://www.todaysrdh.com/heart-health-importance-of-pre-operative-blood-pressure-screenings-in-the-dental-office/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Peer-Reviewed Study (PMC) – BP Screening in Dental Settings

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7523566/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

If you’re a hygienist, dentist, or healthcare provider navigating this conversation in your operatory — this episode is for you.

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

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

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f you're a dental professional curious about using technology to SEE sub-G this is the episode for you!

In this episode, Irene sits down with Kristen Ranaldo, a perio-focused hygienist who has spent her career using dental endoscopy to treat advanced perio and failing implants. Kristen shares how seeing below the gumline transforms diagnosis, treatment, and patient communication and why blind SRP and laser-only approaches often fall short. They also discuss how desiccation gels like PerioDT and Hybenx fit into workflows and what it takes to implement this technology in everyday practice.

In this episode, we talk about:

▪️ Kristen’s early hygiene career and how she became part of the 1% of hygienists using an endoscope routinely

▪️ When to use endoscopy alone vs. combining it with lasers, biologics, and desiccation gels like PerioDT

▪️ Practical implementation: appointment flow, patient communication, coding, fees, and how general practices can keep more advanced cases in-house

▪️ The bigger picture: technology, insurance, and why hygiene needs better protocols, standardization, and support to truly move forward

Connect with Kristen:

Instagram → @thesubgingivalqueen

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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! ✌️

_______________________________________

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Follow on Social Media:

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

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🔗🌲Cool links in my Linktree https://linktr.ee/TOOTHLIFE.IRENE

Dear Dental Hygienists,

If your patients keep coming back with the same amount of calculus, this is the episode for you.

In this Op Talk edition of Tooth or Dare, Irene and Victoria take one of the most misunderstood tools in modern periodontal care and pull it apart clinically, practically, and honestly.

Desiccation therapy is often described as “drying,” “etch-like,” or “just another add-on.” In this episode, we explain why none of those descriptions are quite right — and why that misunderstanding is exactly why so many clinicians either misuse it or underutilize it.

Using real Instagram questions and real operatory experience, we walk through what desiccation therapy is doing at the tooth, tissue, and biofilm level, how it changes the feel and efficiency of scaling, and how to integrate it into everyday periodontal appointments without disrupting workflow, patient comfort, or ethics.

This episode is supported by the folks at Young Specialties, the company that brings PerioDT to the American dental market. Their efforts to expand the reach of this innovation led to this episode and the use of this product nationwide.

To learn more about this therapy, visit this link for a FREE 1-hour webinar: https://yng.ink/4qClAef

If you’ve ever wondered whether desiccation therapy is “worth it,” if you’ve used it but never felt confident explaining it, or if you want to tighten up your perio workflow without adding chaos — this episode is for you.

📲 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

🙋🏼‍♀️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

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Is there statistical proof of a decline in dental hygienists in Canada? The answer isn’t as simple as social media headlines suggest.

In this episode of Tooth or Dare, Joe Siegfried and I unpack the current climate of dental hygiene in Canada and challenge the idea that fewer hygienists are entering the profession.

Graduation numbers and class sizes haven’t declined. What has changed is retention and migration.

🇨🇦 Canada has approximately 33,600 registered dental hygienists, yet distribution varies widely ▪️ Rural and remote communities continue to struggle with retention ▪️ About 9% of hygienists plan to leave the profession within 2 years, and 18% within 3–5 years ▪️ Temping is at an all-time high, reflecting burnout, flexibility needs, and shifting work preferences

As the profession evolves, traditional 9–5 practice models are being challenged. The workforce exists, but it’s moving differently than it used to. Joe brings important nuance to a topic that’s often oversimplified.

We also explore a deeper shift happening across dentistry: how clinicians define value.

Value in dental hygiene isn’t always about money or production. And practice isn’t limited to the box you work in.

Joe and I discuss how value shows up through discussion, treatment planning, culture, ideas, flexibility, autonomy, respect, growth, and alignment, not just a few extra dollars of production. When the definition of value shifts, so does how, where, and why people choose to practice.

This episode continues from our previous conversation about Joe’s personal journey and expands into the broader challenges facing dental hygienists today.

▪️ The dental hygienist “shortage” debate and uneven workforce distribution ▪️ Pay models, cost-of-living pressures, and compensation realities ▪️ Temping, scheduling flexibility, and changing career expectations ▪️ Union conversations and lessons from other professions ▪️ Education pathways, incentives, and workforce planning ▪️ Why protecting patient care must always come first

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:

_______________________________________

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

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🙋🏼‍♀️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

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

_____________________________________________________

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

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🙋🏼‍♀️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

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.

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

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.

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! ✌️

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

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In this episode, Caitlyn 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. Caitlyn 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 Caitlyn’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, Caitlyn’s story offers both honesty and practical ideas you can start using right away.

Connect with Caitlyn:

Instagram → @thealignedhygienist

_____________________________________________________

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

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:

_______________________________________

💁🏼‍♀️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