Hygiene Rising

What does truly integrated care look like in practice? Host Matt Crespin captured the conversations at ADHA's first-ever Integrated Care Summit in Broomfield, Colorado this past weekend — bringing together physicians, dentists, periodontists, and public health professionals making the case for breaking down silos. (1:56) Dr. Mychi Nguyen, Chief Medical Officer at Asian Health Services, shares how a patient's powerful words — "How can I be healthy if I don't have teeth?" — launched a dental clinic at her FQHC and explains the AHA's Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative transforming dental visits into preventive health opportunities. (8:48) AGD President-elect George J. Schmidt reflects on the growing ADHA-AGD collaboration. (15:19) Dr. Elizabeth Ramos of the American Academy of Periodontology makes the case for hygienists as key communicators of the perio-systemic connection. (24:08) Michael Lazzara, VP of International Business Development of Dento, introduces oral health biomarker testing that gives patients real-time data to motivate behavior change. And (35:37) Holly Kingsbury of the Colorado Community Health Network walks through a promising model for integrating behavioral health screenings into dental visits at FQHCs statewide.Guests: Mychi Nguyen, MD; George J. Schmidt, DMD, FAGD, FICOI; Elizabeth D. Ramos, DDS, MSD, EdD; Michael Lazzara, Dento; Holly Kingsbury, MPHHost: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

Is it simply a dental hygiene "staffing shortage" or does the data reveal a more complex retention issue? Host Matt Crespin sits down with Thalía Diedrick and Amaya Johnson to unpack the findings of GoTu's recently released 2026 State of Work Report, the largest survey of the U.S. dental workforce, developed in partnership with ADHA. The numbers are striking: 60% of hygienists report burnout, 53.8% received no raise in the last two years, and 41.4% receive zero benefits — and yet nearly 78% intend to stay in the profession long term. These issues lead to a retention crisis driven by resolvable issues, not a lack of committed professionals. Thalía and Amaya break down the three to five year cliff, why physical demand tops the burnout driver list, and why better benefits ranked above better pay as hygienists' number one desired change. They also dig into the rise of flexible and temporary work as a deliberate career strategy, the case for license portability, and what expanding scope could mean for underserved communities.Guests: Thalía Diedrick, Vice President of Marketing, GoTu; Amaya Johnson, Senior Manager of Provider Marketing, GoTuHost: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHAEpisode sponsored by GoTu.

Periodontal disease affects one billion people worldwide with severe disease, and in the U.S., prevalence has risen 25 percent over the past three decades. So why isn't the needle moving? Matt sits down with Dr. JoAnn Gurenlian, ADHA's director of education, research and advocacy, and Dr. Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, assistant dean for research at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health at A.T. Still University, to dig into ADHA's new white paper on periodontal disease prevention. They cover the P4 care model, the evidence behind antiseptic mouth rinse, emerging diagnostic technologies, CDT coding for preventive services and what it really looks like to move from telling patients what to do to actually partnering with them in their care. This episode and its companion white paper were developed with support from LISTERINE.Guests: JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AAFAAOM, FADHA and Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, RDH, PhD, FSCDHHost: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHAADHA White Paper: https://www.adha.org/rinse-resource-center/white-paper-highlightsRinse Resource Center: https://www.adha.org/rinse-resource-center/ADHA Advocacy: https://www.adha.org/advocacy/

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, FADHAHost: 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 RDHHost: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA