Episode 69: The Hidden Harms of Vaping and Nicotine Pouches - What Dental Professionals Need to Know Hosts: Tabitha Acret (Australia) & Melissa Obrotka (USA) Episode Description In this critical episode, Tabitha and Melissa tackle one of the most pressing and misunderstood topics in oral health today: the harms of vaping and nicotine pouches like Zyn. Far from being "harmless alternatives," these products present significant risks that dental professionals need to understand and address. Key...
Jun 17, 2025•44 min•Season 4Ep. 69
Beyond the Chair: Trauma-Informed Care in Dentistry Show Notes - Disrupting Dentistry Podcast Episode Description This isn't just about patient experience — it's about humanity, dignity, and creating safer, more responsive dental environments for everyone who walks through our door. In this powerful episode, Tabitha and Melissa delve into trauma-informed care, exploring why every dental professional needs to understand its impact on both patients and providers. What You'll Learn The real definit...
Jun 06, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 68
Episode 67: Neuromarketing for Dental Pros: Understanding the Science Behind Effective Marketing In this enlightening episode, we delve into the fascinating world of neuromarketing with Yoli Dick, a seasoned expert with over a decade of experience at the intersection of dentistry and marketing. Discover how understanding the brain's 🧠 decision-making processes can transform your dental practice's marketing strategy from merely functional to deeply resonant and compelling. Key 🔑 Topics Discusse...
May 13, 2025•42 min•Season 4Ep. 67
Special Guest Dental Disruptor: Alan Timmerman , Oral Health Therapist & Specialist Periodontal Practice Owner In this groundbreaking episode, Tabitha sits down with Alan Timmerman, an Australian Oral Health Therapist who has shattered traditional career expectations by purchasing and running his own specialist periodontal practice. This conversation explores Alan's unconventional journey from clinical practice to business ownership and provides valuable insights for OHTs looking to expand b...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 4Ep. 66
This episode FINALLY exposes how stress is silently destroying your patients' mouths! 🚨 Melissa and Tabitha break through the traditional dentistry noise to reveal the science behind why stress might be the #1 oral health saboteur your patients (and YOU) aren't talking about. Key Topics Covered 🧠 The Science of Stress & The Oral Cavity (3:00-12:00) How the HPA axis is literally bathing your patients' mouths in cortisol! 💦 The SHOCKING immune suppression that's happening beneath our patien...
Apr 22, 2025•17 min•Season 4Ep. 65
This episode challenges the dental industry's casual approach to gingivitis and reframes bleeding gums as a severe systemic health warning that demands attention! Melissa and Tabitha reveal why making gingivitis identification compelling to patients is crucial for oral and overall health outcomes. Link to Meissa's Post mentioned in the episode: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG0LnVGsrnT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Key Topics Covered 🚨 Why Gingivitis Is More Than "Pink...
Apr 08, 2025•31 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In this episode of The Disrupting Dentistry Podcast , Melissa (USA) and Tabitha (Australia) dive into communication's critical role in improving patient outcomes. From explaining the oral-systemic connection to collaborating with medical professionals, they share actionable strategies to enhance patient engagement and drive whole-body health. You'll learn how patient-centered communication, visual aids, and interdisciplinary collaboration can transform your practice and reduce systemic inflammat...
Mar 26, 2025•55 min•Season 4Ep. 63
In this eye-opening episode, Melissa and Tabitha dive into one of the most critical yet overlooked connections in healthcare: the link between oral health and cardiovascular disease. With heart disease remaining the #1 cause of death worldwide, they explore how chronic inflammation—particularly from periodontal pathogens—can silently drive heart attacks and strokes. They break down the Bale-Doneen Method, which challenges traditional cardiac screening by shifting the focus from cholesterol to in...
Feb 28, 2025•34 min•Season 4Ep. 62
Disrupting Dentistry Podcast – Season 4, Episode 1: Relaunching After a Year of Change Hosts: Tabitha Acret & Melissa Obrotka Release Date: January 16, 2025 Show Notes: After taking a year off to adapt, reflect, and grow, the Disrupting Dentistry Podcast is back with a brand-new season! In this exciting Season 4 premiere, hosts Tabitha Acret and Melissa Obrotka , two leading experts in the world of dental hygiene, share what they've been up to in 2024 and what they're looking forward to in 2...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Season 4Ep. 61
Welcome to the first episode of season 4!!!! On this installment Tabitha talks to Tanya Deacon a dental hygienist in Newcastle Australia on her journey from thought to action. Here about how to take an idea and action it into a finished product! Well done Tanya!
Feb 28, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 60
In true Disrupting Dentistry fashion, we are kicking off 2024 with an episode that tackles some provocative issues in dentistry head-on with repeat guest Kevin Oshani Lopez. In this episode, Melissa and Kevin discuss some trending circumstances that US dental professionals face. One particular topic they tackle is the RDH shortage and how the demand has driven up salaries. For many, this seems like a good thing, but Mel and Kevs outline how this may negatively impact the profession over time... ...
Feb 19, 2024•54 min•Season 4Ep. 59
In this installment we continue with our chat on periodontal treatment planning. Mel and Tab talk about the importance of a diagnosis and prognosis for patients and, as per usual, some other random converstations and and giggles along the way This is our last episode for 2023, and we look forward to catching up again in 2024!
Dec 27, 2023•48 min•Season 3Ep. 10
On this installment we talk to founder Rosi of About 28 functional toothpaste. Rosi is an OHT in QLD and trying to find an effective natural toothpaste was a challange so she made one!! Have a listen and hear all about the process idea to reality ! about28
Dec 12, 2023•56 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In honor of Dental Hygiene Appreciation Month, this Host Chat episode is on Tabitha and Melissa's tackle standard of care in periodontal disease. During this episode, we explore periodontal disease, assessments, and diagnosis and provide real-world strategies to implement in your operatory or surgery. Listen in as they discuss establishing the standard of care for periodontal disease treatment in your practice and calibrating within your team. Exploring evidence-based treatment protocols and pat...
Oct 18, 2023•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 7
This episode discusses the connection between dental hygiene and heart health and how critical the dental hygienist's role is in risk assessment. Melissa chats with our guest, Tiffany Dillion, as she shares her heartfelt story on why she became an EMT in addition to a Dental Hygienist. Tiffany will inspire you to re-calibrate with screenings we are taught to perform and the link between periodontal disease and heart health. Tiffany shares how critical it is to implement life-saving screenings an...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Miranda Beeson is BACK for Part Two: What is Trending in Dental Hygiene. In this episode, Melissa and Miranda discuss the high salary demands from the ongoing workforce shortage and how that impacts the profession. The high hourly rate demands a high standard of care. There has been a shift in mindset regarding dental hygiene with the robust scientific evidence of inflammation and the oral microbiome. People are realizing that it's not just about having a white, pretty smile; oral health is abou...
Aug 23, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 5
We enjoyed chatting with Dr. Amanda Phoon Nguyen , an Oral Medicine Specialist, as she shared her clinical expertise in Burning Mouth Syndrome. Here are some key takeaways: Oral Burning related to Burning Mouth Syndrome occurs from nerve damage to the small fibers of the tongue and also encompasses brain changes - trigeminal neuropathy. The exact cause of burning mouth syndrome is unknown; in this episode, Dr. Amanda reviews the common causes, such as nerve damage, hormonal changes, psychologica...
Jul 06, 2023•58 min•Season 3Ep. 11
In this episode, we chat with Joseph Hanna, the co-creator of Bumbl Co Toothpaste. Joseph shared how he and his wife went on this journey to bridge the gap he witnessed in children's toothpaste. Joseph walked us through how they worked to understand the market and identify a gap their product filled. Joseph shares everything from idea to concept to formulation, production, branding, packing, and distribution. You want to listen in just for his inspiration about this journey! Naturally Flavoured ...
Jun 28, 2023•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 10
In this episode, we dive into the world of dental consultant coaching. Our returning guest and friend, Miranda Beeson, shared how she transitioned from private practice to a Lead Practice Coach with ACT Dental. In this episode, Miranda shares how as a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches and insights. A master of communication, Miranda shares her enthusiasm for patient interactions and loves helping others find the p...
Jun 16, 2023•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 3
Join us on our latest installment, where we chat with Dr. Bethany about her career. We chat about how she has built a business around promoting oral health and healthy behaviors for children. Dr. Bathany is passionate about changing the status of oral health in children, and her energy can be heard throughout the podcast. A little about Dr. Bethany A qualified dentist and teacher, and award-winning children's entertainer, Dr. Bethany Fisher has combined her skills on a mission to reduce the alar...
May 31, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 8
This Host Chat episode of the Disrupting Dentistry Podcast is Part Two of our Three part series on Dental Anxiety and Phobia. In this installment, we define the different types of dental phobias and the various techniques and strategies that can be used to help our patients overcome dental anxiety and phobia. Tabitha and Melissa discuss the prevalence of dental phobia, its impact on oral health, and how many who have dental phobia avoid dental visits altogether. We then delve into the different ...
May 05, 2023•49 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Join us on the latest episode for a chat with the fabulous Nicole Fortune about using technology in dentistry. Nicole shared with us her vast experience with lasers and periodontal endoscope and how she has incorporated this into her clinical practice. This episode will leave you a little bit jealous if you don't use this technology but super inspired! Nicole Fortune
Mar 22, 2023•55 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Join us for the latest installment where we chat to Dr Melanie Hayes again about career development . We talk about being in a cross roads and what to do next, how to think about our career and what we would like from it to find out more about Dr Hayes check out the links below Website: nextstepdentalcareers.com.au Find me on FB or LinkedIn – Next Step Dental Careers Email: nextstepdentalcareers@gmail.com Future events: https://nextstepdentalcareers.com.au/events...
Mar 08, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 5
On this episode we have a host chat about anxiety, what is anxiety and how it effects people who are living with it. We discuss treatments, side effects and how it can impact oral health join us as we try and smash through some of the stigma attached to anxiety and hopefully help make us all a little bit more understanding of those who are suffering
Feb 24, 2023•47 min•Season 3Ep. 4
The One About the Professional Comeback In this episode, we chat with Jonneal Scott as she shares many of her personal experiences as a dental hygienist returning to the profession, gender inequality, racism, and sexual orientation. Jonnie is looking to change the way the profession is viewed, and she is leading by example! She proudly proclaims she is a queer black woman and there is space for everyone in the dental profession regardless of race, gender identity or sexual orientation. We thank ...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 3
The One About an Alternative Career Path in Orthodontics In this episode, we chat with Cheryl Dey and discuss her alternative career path as a dental hygienist working in orthodontics. Over the past ten years, Cheryl has honed her skill as an orthodontic hygienist through her work in one of the leading orthodontic practices in Australia, working at clinics in Adelaide and Melbourne. She has attended specific orthodontic training around Australia and abroad and is passionate about helping change ...
Jan 30, 2023•59 min
In this episode of the Disrupting Dentistry podcast Tabitha and Melissa tackle the topic of Menopause and how we can support our menopausal women during this time of transition. The facts of menopause are very eye opening as Tabitha and Melissa review the multitude of symptoms in addition to the oral manifestations of menopause so oral health professionals can identify complications that can correlate with menopause symptoms. This episode will help raise awareness of symptoms from menopause that...
Jan 19, 2023•37 min•Season 3Ep. 1
On this episode Tabitha and Melissa disucss what red flags to look for when looking for the perfect dental practice, they chat about some of the red flags they have seen in the dental practice and what questions to ask in interviews
Dec 02, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 20
In this episode we get to chat with Kevin Lopez, AKA Kev Talks Teeth about being a male in a predominately female profession and cultural racism in dentistry. Kevin is quiet wise beyond his years in hygiene practice and his story is inspirational. Kev is here is to disrupt dentistry - and he is just getting started!
Nov 08, 2022•53 min•Season 2Ep. 19
In this episode Tabitha shares her personal journey as her son was just diagnosed and is being treated for epilepsy. Tabitha and Melissa discuss and learn about the many oral connections to epilepsy and this host chat shares the facts on diagnosis, treatment and how dental hygienists can aid in specialized care for this patient population. Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Keep Disrupting ;)
Oct 25, 2022•48 min•Season 2Ep. 18
