A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this engaging throwback episode, Andrew and guest co-host Brittany catch up with Dr. James Younger to talk all things temping in the dentistry. As temping continues to grow in popularity, especially following shifts during the pandemic, this episode is a practical guide and deep dive for early-career professionals and anyone considering a more flexible career path in dentistry.

• Why Temping is Growing:

  James Younger

  discusses how both new grads and seasoned professionals are increasingly choosing temp shifts for flexibility, empowerment, and financial reasons.

• Finding Your "Work Home": The importance of prioritizing workplace culture and respect over purely financial incentives.

• Transparency in Temping: TempStars' unique system provides office reviews, equipment ratings, and infection control compliance, so temps know exactly what they're walking into.

• Regional Trends: A look at how temping, demand, and office culture differ from state to state and between the US and Canada.

• Dental Assistants & Hygienists: Debunking the myth that temp assistants are less committed, and how temping is becoming a lifestyle choice for many.

• Expanded Functions & Office Matching: Updates on TempStars' expansion into the US and how technology is improving matches between offices and dental professionals based on detailed qualifications.

• Impact of AI: The potential for artificial intelligence in making better matches and improving dental workflows.

• Advice to New Grads: Why gaining a broad perspective by temping early in your career helps you find the right office fit without long-term limitations or strings attached.

• James Younger

  shares data-backed insights on what offices are doing to create better environments—and how TempStars uses reviews to ensure transparency and quality.

• Recommendations for graduates on how to explore multiple offices and make informed decisions about where to settle, with no exclusivity or hidden costs.

• Lively discussion about the evolution of infectious control protocols post-COVID and their ongoing importance.

• Explore TempStars: tempstars.com – Free for professionals to sign up and start browsing opportunities.

• Don't miss previous tipisodes with Dr.

  James Younger

  : Topics include temping done right, how to request a raise, permission-based care, and unique pathways in dental careers.

"You have to be cautious about chasing just the next dollar. Life is too short." – James Younger

"There's a proper way to treat people, and that's aligned now with good business for keeping and retaining great team members." – James Younger

Interested in temping or finding your perfect dental work home? Check out TempStars and connect with thousands of offices and professionals nationwide.

Don't forget to visit RDH Under One Roof (rdhunderoneroof.com) for networking and education in dental hygiene!

Thanks for listening! Share this episode with a friend who might be considering a new path in dentistry, and tune in next week for more great conversations.

Episode Highlights:

• Networking & Power Networking:
  Dr. Chris Salierno returns for an in-depth conversation on building meaningful professional relationships in dentistry. He offers his insights into "power networking," stressing the importance of showing up, saying yes to opportunities, and making deposits before making withdrawals. Learn how he identifies red flags in networking and why intentional relationship-building leads to lasting success.

• Clinical Excellence: Andrew and Dr. Salierno discuss the idea that the path to clinical excellence is not always linear. The conversation encourages grabbing knowledge from various sources—networking, colleagues, and even dental influencers—to continually improve patient care. Dr. Salierno talks about taking inspiration from both clinical work and soft skills, emphasizing the ongoing journey toward greatness in dentistry and hygiene.

• Hiring and Team Values: Dr. Salierno shares his perspective as Chief Dental Officer at Tend and his passion for hiring people who bring personality and technical skill. He discusses why hospitality and a clear mission matter, focusing on how creating a strong employee value proposition attracts the right kind of team members and boosts retention, especially in a competitive dental employment market.

• Social Media & Professional Comparison: The dangers of social media—especially comparing yourself to peers who only showcase their highlight reels—is a key theme in this episode. Dr. Salierno provides thoughtful advice on maintaining a healthy outlook and keeping professional standards high, both online and offline.

• Transitions & Career Flexibility: The episode touches on career pivots in dentistry and highlights Dr. Salierno's observations on professionals who successfully transition into various roles—be it technology, teaching, or administration. He shares that the dental field offers incredible flexibility for those willing to say yes, learn, and embrace new challenges.

• Where to Find More from Dr. Salierno: Dr. Salierno's Substack, "Leaving Healthcare," is packed with posts for anyone interested in non-clinical career options or broadening their horizons in dentistry. You can find him on Instagram as @thecuriousdentist for more content, updates on speaking engagements, and thoughtful discussions.

Connect:

• Dr. Chris Salierno Substack: Leaving Healthcare

• Instagram: @thecuriousdentist

Final Notes: Thanks to Dr. Salierno for sharing his time and wisdom! Make sure to subscribe, check the show notes for resources, and sign up for Andrew's newsletter for more content.

Do our patients huff glue? If so, what should we expect? Let's find out on this short episode from Tom Viola!

Resources:

Be sure to reach out to him if you have any questions by emailing TomViola@tomviola.com, visit his website TomViola.com or check out his social media - @pharmacologydeclassified

We look at elite athletes with their bulging biceps, the rock-hard abs, and high level achievements with envy. Surely they know how to stay healthy, right? Would it surprise you to learn that, from an oral health perspective, they are more likely to have disease? Listen to this short episode and how it might relate to your more "normal" patients that show up in your chair!

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10890155/#sec2-medicina-60-00319

We welcome a new pair of dental hygiene podcasters to the group Irene and Whitney. We talk briefly about what they want out of their podcast, why you should listen, and a little about what our podcast is about. Its always fun meeting up with people who have similar passions and cannot wait to see what they have in store for our profession!

Both of these women are also huge on social media so seek them out

Irene - @toothlife.irene

Whitney - @TeethTalkGirl

https://toothordare.podbean.com/

Dont forget to see us at Voices of Dentistry conference, Yankee Dental Conference, and Andrew will be at Chicago Midwinter.

Vote for us https://dentalpodcast.org/vote-for-the-best-dental-podcasts-of-2018/ and all of your favorite hygiene podcasts!

Episode 150! Cant believe we made it this far!!

Interview starts 4:30

In this episode we have a roundtable discussion on the impact digital scanning has had on our guests. Special thanks to our guests Dr. Justin Chi, Jean Ocasio, Tomas Saucedo, and of course, Cheri Lepenski who organized this roundtable!

THIS EPISODE COUNTS FOR CE! - but read the disclaimer below as it might not count for your state.

Go here to take the test and get your CE Credit! (Test hasnt been made yet so come back later)

Approved Pace Program Provider FAGD/MAGD Credit Approval Does Not Imply Acceptance By A State Or Provincial Board of Dentistry Or AGD Endorsement. 1/1/18- 12/31/19 Provider #373236

Be sure to thank the sponsor for CE for this episode by heading over to www.PDTDental.com and picking up a new instrument or telling them thank you in person at one of the conferences!

149 The Business of Dental Hygiene with Tony Stefanou DMD

Interview starts minute 6:00

In this episode, we talk about how we, as hygienists, can partner with our offices to be more successful. Successful by earning more, enjoying our job more, getting the instruments and tools we need, and so much more. Dr. Tony Stefanou does an excellent job of explaining all of this and more!

Contact Him -

www.connectthedents.com

www.dentalsalesacademy.com

www.swypdental.com

Thank you to Paradise Dental Technologies aka PDT for providing sponsorship for this episodes CE credits!

THIS EPISODE COUNTS FOR CE! - but read the disclaimer below as it might not count for your state.

Go here to take the test and get your CE Credit! https://www.cezoom.com/taketest/?courseid=2718&testid=1265

Approved Pace Program Provider FAGD/MAGD Credit Approval Does Not Imply Acceptance By A State Or Provincial Board of Dentistry Or AGD Endorsement. 1/1/18- 12/31/19 Provider #373236

Be sure to thank the sponsor for CE for this episode by heading over to www.PDTDental.com and picking up a new instrument or telling them thank you in person at one of the conferences!

148 Social Media and HIPAA with Noel Kelsch

Interview Starts at minute 4:00

In this episode, we speak with Noel Kelsch about the dangerous world we play in online (social media) when discussing patient information. Noel explains what a much bigger deal this all is!

Noel Brandon-Kelsch is an international speaker, writer, Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice and Director of Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene Program. You heard her on the podcast a few years ago discussing infection control, and in this episode, she tackles HIPAA and social media.  SM is a way for us to learn from each other, but dental professionals have to be cautious with what we share about our patients.  Noel gives us great info on the do's and don'ts, and we may all be surprised by them.  To reach Noel, you can visit her website NoelKelsch.com and be sure to join her Facebook group, Dental Infection control with a twist. 

Thank you to our sponsor for this episode, and many of our episodes, Zirc! www.zirc.com Zirc believes in helping you work smarter, not harder through organization and tools that allow you to perform your job to the fullest!

Zirc, Because Time is Everything.

Thank you also to Paradise Dental Technologies aka PDT for providing sponsorship for this episodes CE credits!

THIS EPISODE COUNTS FOR CE! - but read the disclaimer below as it might not count for your state.

Go here to take the test and get your CE Credit! https://www.cezoom.com/taketest/?courseid=2716&testid=1264

Approved Pace Program Provider FAGD/MAGD Credit Approval Does Not Imply Acceptance By A State Or Provincial Board of Dentistry Or AGD Endorsement. 1/1/18- 12/31/19 Provider #373236

Be sure to thank the sponsor for CE for this episode by heading over to www.PDTDental.com and picking up a new instrument or telling them thank you in person at one of the conferences!

147 Dental Missions: A Model of Structure and Sustainability with Somos Amigos
Interview starts at minute 6:50

In this episode, we are joined by Frank Brightwell, founder of Somos Amigos Medical Missions. We discuss the importance the impact of trained healthcare workers can have on a remote community and how to build a true partnership with them. Frank has spent more than 20 years serving the people of Naranjito, a small community in the mountains of the Dominican Republic. Listen to how he evolved the organization from just a few volunteers doing manual labor into an organization that has taken more than 750 volunteers on 50 trips doing good work.

www.somosamigos.org

info@somosamigos.org

https://www.facebook.com/SomosAmigosMedicalMissions/

Thank you to our sponsor for this episode, and many of our episodes, Zirc! www.zirc.com Zirc believes in helping you work smarter, not harder through organization and tools that allow you to perform your job to the fullest! Listen for the promo at minute 3:20 of this episode!

The special offer for this episode is:  $5 off a 50 pack of  Pink Petal Promocode: TALE10

Zirc, Because Time is Everything.

https://www.zirc.com/products/isolation/pink-petal-50-pack

Although this episode does not count for CE, head over to www.cezoom.com and check out our other episodes that count for CE!

Be sure to thank the sponsor for the CE portion of most episodes by heading over to Paradise Dental Technology - www.PDTDental.com and picking up a new instrument or telling them thank you in person at one of the conferences!

http://www.nu-bird.com/how-to-videos
http://www.nu-bird.com/store

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We hope you will have an enjoyable time with your family and friends! After Thanksgiving each year is the Greater New York Dental Meeting and we are going! Please come find us and say hi. We will be on the floor walking around on Sunday and Monday, message us to find out where we are!