Dear Dental Hygienists, Respectfully, if you're scaling alone during your SRP, you likely could be doing it better... In this episode, Irene and Vic go 5-7mm deep into the Perio Rabbit Hole, sharing the why behind a standardized SRP protocol and how shifting your mindset can improve both clinical consistency and patient care. Have you ever found yourself hesitating during a treatment recommendation, wondering if insurance, patient “vibes,” or financial concerns might hold them back? Irene shares...
Jun 19, 2025•31 min•Ep. 183
Xylitol does it all—at least when it comes to fighting cavity-causing bacteria! In Part 2 of Irene’s chat with Epic Dental’s Donald and Monica Bailey, they dive into the science of how xylitol targets Streptococcus mutans while sparing good bacteria. The Baileys also discuss their commitment to education, product transparency, and making it easier for dental pros to help patients maintain oral health. Learn more & explore the research: 📱 Instagram: @epic.dental 🌐 Website: https://epicdenta...
Jun 12, 2025•25 min•Ep. 182
Can gum and mints really help with cavities? Science says yes, if they contain xylitol like the ones from Epic Dental! Joining Irene this week on the podcast are Donald and Monica Bailey, the husband and wife team behind the business. In Part 1 of this interview, hear the story of how Donald started the company, how he met Monica when she was using a competing product, and the amazing synergy that happened when they put their talents together. Their line of xylitol-based products is a game-chang...
May 27, 2025•23 min•Ep. 181
In this episode of Op Talk, Irene and Vic discuss Scaling and Root Planning (SRPs) and how to effectively monitor periodontal disease progression in patients. This complex condition can be challenging to manage, but having a clear clinical protocol helps simplify treatment planning and patient education. We explore key questions, such as: When is periodontitis considered stable or in remission? What clinical and behavioural factors should be evaluated before adjusting a patient’s treatment plan?...
May 22, 2025•19 min•Ep. 180
Well, I didn't see this one coming... In this deeply personal episode, I share the whole story behind my recent academic appeal to George Brown College after being declined admission to the S305 Honours Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Completion program in October 2024. The original reasoning was that 21-year-old Irene went to the "wrong" school 17 years ago. One that didn't prepare 39-year-old Irene for the academic journey of an online degree completion program. This episode cover...
May 01, 2025•18 min•Ep. 179
"I have TMJ" - Yes, patient... you have two actually. If you are a practising dental clinician, chances are you’ve encountered patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction - TMD. In Part 2 of this interview, Irene discusses this tricky disorder with Dr. Tony Urbanek, who specializes in its treatment using wearable custom-made devices. Why is it more prevalent in women than men? What makes it so controversial and difficult to treat? Is Botox an effective treatment, or is it all a scam? Tune ...
Apr 24, 2025•42 min•Ep. 178
Meet Dr. Tony Urbanek, an oral-maxillofacial surgeon with a list of wild tales as long and varied as his accomplishments in the dental field. How do you find a surgical laser in 1978 Tennessee? What does a quarter of an airplane cost, and how much medical gear can you fit inside a whole one? How do you establish a medical clinic in Jamaica? You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone with more life-changing experiences and storytelling ability than Tony. Listen all the way to the end for some valuabl...
Apr 17, 2025•40 min•Ep. 177
Periodontal Probing and Billing deep dive in this episode. Irene and Vic address probing - a non-invasive, deceptively simple yet fundamental tool for monitoring oral health. Does it matter whether it’s done by a dentist or hygienist? When is it time for a full-mouth probe, and how does it fit into a patient’s treatment plan? How appointments are billed in the United States compared to Canada and potential concerns. To submit questions and access helpful resources, head over to @toothlife.irene ...
Apr 11, 2025•14 min•Ep. 176
"The more popular you are on social media, the fewer friends you have." In this episode of the Tooth Order Podcast, Dr. Amanda Wilson returns to share insights on helping general dentists with clear aligner therapy and virtual consultations. From her journey in orthodontics to educating dentists on how to handle mild to moderate cases, Dr. Wilson discusses the benefits of clear aligner therapy, the use of digital tools, and the importance of proper education for general practitioners. Tune in ...
Mar 27, 2025•34 min•Ep. 175
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." Laurel Thatcher Ulrich Meet Dr. Amanda Wilson, a San Francisco native whose journey in dentistry has taken her from the heart of the Bay Area to the beautiful shores of Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Wilson earned her dental degree from UCSF Dental School and went on to achieve her Master of Dental Science and Orthodontics Certification at the University of Connecticut. With over a decade of clinical experience, she has completed thousands of orthodontic cases, b...
Mar 20, 2025•25 min•Ep. 174
Dental Hygiene Scheduling: New Patients, Recalls & SRPs | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene In this episode of Tooth Or Dare, Irene & Vic discuss one of the most frequently asked questions in clinical practice: How much time should be allocated for different types of dental hygiene appointments? We break down: - Recommended timeframes for new patient exams, recare visits, and SRPs - Instrument lifespan and when replacements are necessary - Best practices for sharpening technique...
Mar 13, 2025•22 min•Ep. 173
In Part 2 of this conversation with Dr. Charlie, we focus on her content creation which includes lifestyle as well as dental themes. Irene and Dr. Charlie share the struggles of finding their unique style while staying true to their goals of educating their followers. If you’ve ever scrolled all the way down someone’s feed, it’s often eye-opening how much things have changed since they started. Do they follow trends and memes, chasing views and likes? Or do they do their own thing, producing wha...
Feb 27, 2025•28 min•Ep. 172
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all of life’s obligations - work, family, friends, personal goals - just know you’re not alone. As humans, we are amazingly adaptable to stressful situations, but our bodies and minds can only handle it for so long. Dr. Charlie Cage has been living in “survival mode” since going through dental school and working as a dentist in the Navy. In Part 1 of this conversation, she shares her experience of feeling burnt out after years of service, recognizing how much c...
Feb 20, 2025•29 min•Ep. 171
Whether you’re a longtime follower or a first-time listener, you may not know the story behind Toothlife.Irene! In this special Op Talk episode, the tables are turned with Vic as our host and Irene as the guest. Learn some lesser-known facts like: What sport did she play competitively in school? The reason she got into dental hygiene? How did she end up behind the podium for the first time? The work that goes into opening a dental practice from scratch…during a pandemic? To submit questions and ...
Feb 13, 2025•43 min•Ep. 170
What if you could help a child develop straighter teeth without the need for braces while also improving their breathing, sleep, and jaw development—all with the power of teledentistry? That’s exactly what Dr. Kalli Hale achieves with Toothpillow , an innovative pre-orthodontic treatment system. In this inspiring Part 2 episode, we explore how Dr. Hale’s approach is redefining pediatric dentistry and the transformative possibilities of airway-focused care. Dr. Hale shares: How to integrate sleep...
Jan 30, 2025•29 min•Ep. 169
Are dentists at high risk of Mercury poisoning? Does that increase the risk of Suicide? Is snoring normal? All these questions and more are discussed in this week's episode, you may be shocked at what you'll hear. Irene Iancu engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Kalli Hale , a second-generation dentist renowned for her expertise in airway-centered dentistry and her leadership as Chief Dental Officer at Toothpillow . Dr. Hale's dedication to pediatric dental care emphasizes the critical ...
Jan 23, 2025•28 min•Ep. 168
So your office doesn't have a strong Perio program, that's cool we've got you. In this episode of Op Talk, Irene and Vic tackle a pressing question from a social media follower about implementing a periodontal protocol in her practice for the first time. The hosts dive deep into the essentials of building a comprehensive Perio protocol, referencing the Perio Flow Chart from Irene made easily found Toothlife.ca as a valuable resource. This discussion is something we dental professionals often str...
Jan 12, 2025•42 min•Ep. 167
Welcome to the 165th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Andi-Jean Miro (@aestheticsbyandi). We return to celebrity dentist Dr. Andi this week to discuss some controversial practices in cosmetic dentistry. Is the rising popularity of over-the-counter dental procedures good or bad? What’s the real cost of patients getting their teeth done overseas, attracted by the lower sticker price? How do we manage unrealistic expectations of pati...
Dec 26, 2024•37 min•Ep. 166
Welcome to the 164th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Andi-Jean Miro (@aestheticsbyandi). AKA a baddie in the industry of creating beautiful cosmetic smiles and boy oh boy and I am honoured to call her a friend. Let’s face it - most patients hate going to the dentist, usually because they associate it with pain or discomfort. As a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Andi actively works to change the public perception of dentistry and make it ab...
Dec 19, 2024•39 min•Ep. 165
Welcome to the 163rd episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and co-host Victoria Armaly (@victoriaarmaly_). This is the first of the new “Op Talk” series, in which Irene and Vic will discuss all things dental straight from the Toothlife operatory. We invite listeners to submit their questions for our hosts to answer on upcoming episodes - stay tuned to find out how to get yours in. As this is our co-host Vic’s podcasting debut, this episode is all about her stor...
Nov 28, 2024•32 min•Ep. 164
Welcome to the 162nd episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Renée Beach (@dermabeach). Everyone’s got skin in this game, so learn how to properly take care of yours in Part 2 of this conversation with Dr. Beach! When patients come to her with concerns, there are some things that can be addressed with simple lifestyle adjustments or products, and others that could be indicators of something bigger. Just like with oral health, skin health...
Nov 21, 2024•35 min•Ep. 163
Welcome to the 161st episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Renée Beach (@dermabeach). If there ever was a glamorous medical profession, some might say it’s dermatology. Dr. Beach is as passionate about her patients’ health as much as their comfort and satisfaction. Tune in to hear about what it takes to start a practice during COVID - which our guest and Irene both did successfully - and other skincare secrets! Renée A. Beach, MD, FRCP...
Sep 12, 2024•23 min•Ep. 162
Welcome to the 160th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Jason Luchtefeld (@jasonluchtefeld), along with bonus guest Dr. Alan Mead (@very_dental_podcast). In Part 2 of this conversation with Dr. Luchtefeld, we learn about how he came to be President of the American Equilibration Society (AES), a leading organization of dental professionals that has been around since 1955. Perks of membership include access to scientific meetings, lec...
Aug 29, 2024•33 min•Ep. 161
Welcome to the 159th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Jason Luchtefeld (@jasonluchtefeld). If you think taking over a dental practice is easier than starting one from scratch, think again. Dr. Luchtefeld discovered early on in his career that when you buy an old practice, you inherit its problems. How do you fix an outdated, neglected dental office? Tune in to find out how Dr. Luchtefeld turned it around, and went on to practice i...
Aug 22, 2024•41 min•Ep. 160
Welcome to the 158th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Effrat (Effie) Habsha (@effiehabsha). In Part 2 of this interview with Dr. Habsha, we learn about how she started Women in Dentistry, an organization dedicated to supporting female dental professionals in a traditionally male-dominated industry. They offer continuing education, mentorship, and in-person events to help members improve their clinical skills, manage work-life bala...
Jul 18, 2024•18 min•Ep. 159
Welcome to the 157th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Effrat (Effie) Habsha (@effiehabsha). Do you love your smile? Dr. Habsha’s goal is to make sure her patients do. As a prosthodontist, every day can be a new challenge. Figuring out how to bring out the best smile in everyone can be difficult but very rewarding - and sometimes, a few small modifications can go a long way. Listen to the full episode to learn how Dr. Habsha fell i...
Jul 11, 2024•34 min•Ep. 158
Welcome to the 156th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Steven Vorholt (@vorholtdds), co-hosted by Dr. Craig Harder. Starting a dental business from scratch obviously requires a lot of money, time and effort - and then you need patients to actually come to you. But what if you could bring dentistry to your patients instead? That’s exactly what Dr. Vorholt decided to do, while still coming home every night to his family. Tune in to h...
Jul 04, 2024•31 min•Ep. 157
Welcome to the 155th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Steven Vorholt (@vorholtdds), co-hosted by Dr. Craig Harder. What do you do after your business partnership falls apart? According to Dr. Vorholt, continue to invest in yourself and come out stronger. Like many new dentists, he graduated with heavy student debt, but has never let that get in the way of starting a practice and living life the way he wants. Even when things ended...
Jun 27, 2024•37 min•Ep. 156
Welcome to the 154th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Connie Wang (@drconniewang). Do you find yourself awkwardly asking the same few questions to your patients at every visit? Making small talk can be as uncomfortable as, well, going to the dentist - but they don't have to be! Connie loves connecting with people through lighthearted stories and pop culture news. What’s going on with Dunkin’ Donuts? When will Snoop Dogg appear at ...
Jun 20, 2024•34 min•Ep. 155
#153 - Dentistry Unmasked Round Table | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene Welcome to the 153rd episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) this week is an episode from SmileCon. About Dr. Chad Duplantis Dr. Duplantis received his D.D.S. degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Dental School in 1999. He continued with postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Dentistry, earning a certificate in Advanced Education in General D...
Jun 13, 2024•58 min•Ep. 154
