Podcast
The Dental Handoff
Hosted by Dr. Kelly Tanner · EN
Let’s stop using the wrong end of the toothbrush! This show is about passing you the knowledge, the habits, the systems and the strategies to lead your teams, lean on your tech, and listen to your gut, while you take care of teeth, and let’s get honest, the overall health, of our communities. By identifying the gaps, recognizing the plaque and extracting the truth with other experts in the field we will share their stories, empower you to own yours, and elevate your passion in the process. Show topics to include: Education, Tech, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Communication, Connection and Confidence
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 196 | Just Cleanings? Look Deeper - Barbara Tritz
Mar 1000:34:55Tap to summarizeDental hygiene is about far more than scaling and polishing. In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with hygienist and educator Barbara Tritz, RDH, to explore how dentistry can move beyond “just cleaning teeth” and begin addressing the deeper systemic factors that influence oral health. This conversation is for dental hygienists, dentists, practice owners, and dental educators who want to rethink prevention and reconnect with the reason they entered healthcare in the first place. Barbara shares her personal journey from burnout in clinical hygiene to rediscovering purpose through biological dental hygiene, oral-systemic connections, airway health, and diagnostic tools like phase-contrast microscopy. Together they explore questions many clinicians are quietly asking: Are we treating symptoms instead of root causes? What happens when we actually see the bacteria driving disease? How can hygienists become true prevention specialists in healthcare? You’ll learn how biological dentistry, airway awareness, and patient education can transform the operatory from a routine hygiene visit into a meaningful health intervention. If you’ve ever wondered whether dentistry could be more impactful, more preventive, and more fulfilling, this episode is for you. Barbara K. Tritz, BRDH, MSB, BSDATE, is an internationally recognized speaker and biological dental hygienist practicing at Green City Dental in Edmonds, Washington. She is also the owner of Washington Oral Wellness in Kirkland, WA, specializing in orofacial myofunctional therapy and biological dental hygiene. Barbara is accredited in Biological Dental Hygiene by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) and serves as chair of the IAOMT Biological Dental Hygiene Committee. 👇 We’d love to hear from you: What changed your perspective about prevention in dentistry? Connect with Barbara: queenofdentalhygiene.net https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-tritz-2021/ Where to Find Dr. Kelly: Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance. https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com
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Episode 195 | The Dip Is Normal - Dr. Anissa Broussard
Mar 300:32:32Tap to summarizeDental leadership isn’t linear — it’s built through growth, setbacks, and purpose. In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Anissa Broussard to explore what it really takes to evolve beyond the operatory. This conversation is for dental hygienists, dentists, practice owners, and healthcare leaders who feel the pull toward “what’s next” — but may also feel the fear that comes with it. Anissa shares her journey from clinician to entrepreneur, educator, marketing innovator, and founder — and why growth in dentistry is rarely a straight line. Instead, it’s a series of dips, pivots, and courageous decisions. They unpack: • Why setbacks are often prerequisites • How honoring your word builds confidence • The mindset shift from ego to service • Why stillness — not hustle — creates clarity • How purpose-driven leadership fuels sustainable growth If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “more than” your current role in dentistry, this episode offers grounded encouragement without unrealistic promises. Dr. Anissa Broussard is a renowned expert in digital marketing for dentistry. She holds a Fellowship with the Dental Speaking Institute and has been invited to keynote at major events including the AACD, Social Media Marketing World, and Funnel Hacking Live. Her work has been featured in Dental Economics and highlighted in Russell Brunson's Expert Secrets. Dr. Broussard is also the founder of Digital Floss, a full-service dental marketing agency, and Dentalflix, the premier online education platform delivering top-level training for both independent and group practices. What season are you in right now — a climb or a dip? Connect with Dr. Anissa: https://www.instagram.com/digitalfloss https://www.digitalfloss.com/ Where to Find Dr. Kelly: Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance. https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com
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Episode 194 | Leadership Is Lonely. Dental Leadership: Fixing Culture Before It Breaks. - Stacey Sloan, RDH
Mar 300:32:07Tap to summarizeDental leadership can feel isolating. But broken culture is fixable. In this episode of The Dental Handoff Podcast, Dr. Kelly Tanner talks with Stacey Sloan, RDH, founder of ChairSide Collaborative, about the real challenges of dental leadership, practice culture, and scaling a growing dental organization. If you are a dental hygienist stepping into leadership, a dentist managing rapid growth, or a practice owner trying to build a healthy team culture, this conversation offers practical insight into alignment, accountability, and leadership strategy. Stacey shares her transition from clinical hygiene to executive leadership and explains why culture problems are rarely surface level. Most breakdowns come from misalignment, unclear expectations, and leadership gaps, not personality conflicts. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why dental leadership often feels lonely How culture forms by default, not by design The role of accountability in team morale How alignment improves practice performance Why scaling requires shared leadership With 25 years in dentistry, Stacey combines clinical experience, operational leadership, and culture strategy to help dental teams grow sustainably. Through ChairSide Collaborative, she works with dentists and leadership teams to build thriving practices focused on clarity, collaboration, and execution. If you’re navigating growth, leadership stress, or culture challenges in your dental practice, this episode will resonate. Leave a comment and share what leadership lesson you’re currently learning. Connect with Stacey: https://www.chairsidecollaborative.com/ Where to Find Dr. Kelly: Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance. https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com
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Episode 193 | This Is Preventable: Aging Shouldn't Mean Extractions - Sarah Luke
Feb 1800:33:32Tap to summarizeDental hygiene leadership meets denturism and minimally invasive dentistry in this powerful episode of The Dental Handoff. Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Sarah Luetke, RDH, Denturist, to discuss independent hygiene, nursing home dentistry, and expanding access to care for aging populations. This episode is for: • Dental hygienists (RDHs) • Dentists and practice owners • Public health advocates • CE-driven clinicians • Healthcare leaders focused on prevention Sarah shares how she transitioned from private practice hygiene into independent mobile care — serving nursing homes, navigating COVID, and later returning to school to become a denturist. They discuss: • Why prevention must come before extraction • The role of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in aging care • The realities of Medicaid and access • What it really takes to start your own practice • How hygienists can expand leadership roles without replacing dentists Sarah Luetke, LD, RDH, is a notable Dental Public Health Specialist, Geriatric Oral Health Advocate, and Minimally Invasive Dental Provider. She founded Sound Dental Care, which brings dental care to the geriatric and special needs populations through a mobile delivery model. She currently serves in both administrative/management roles and clinical roles as a denturist and dental hygienist. Advocacy and policy change are her other passions. Sarah also co-founded MOBY Dental Alliance, a 501 (c) (3), which is a Minimally Invasive Dental platform connecting searching patients to providers. If you've ever wondered how dental professionals can do more, without overstepping, this conversation is for you. What part of Sarah’s journey resonated most with you? Share below. https://www.sounddentalcare.com https://www.mobydental.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-luetke-ld-rdh-8a7aa1172 Where to Find Dr. Kelly: Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance. https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com
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Episode 192 | Wear a Mask: Why Empathy Is the Missing Link in Dental Leadership - Kristin Haynes
Feb 400:32:53Tap to summarizeDental leadership isn’t failing because people don’t care; it’s failing because we forget we’re human. In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with practice management consultant Kristin Haynes to talk about empathy, burnout, and the unseen emotional load carried by dental teams and doctors alike. This conversation is for dental hygienists, dentists, practice owners, and educators who feel the tension between clinical excellence, business pressure, and human connection. Kristin Haynes is a consultant, speaker, and founder of KH Productivity Management, where she helps dental practices achieve growth with clarity and confidence. Through her signature Assessment to Clarity Framework™, Kristin guides practices to optimize three essential pillars: People Clarity to align team roles and leadership; Operations Clarity to streamline systems and increase efficiency; and Valuation Clarity to position the business for scalable growth or successful transition. With over 25 years of deep experience in dentistry, Kristin is a trusted partner for doctors navigating expansion, adding associates, or preparing for a future sale. Her clear, actionable approach equips leaders with the structure and strategy needed to move forward decisively. You’ll hear why: Burnout isn’t just physical, it’s emotional and cultural Vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s leadership Empathy builds stronger teams and stronger businesses Consultants and leaders must partner, not bulldoze If you’ve ever felt like you had to “wear the mask” at work, this episode will resonate. Join the conversation: What does empathy look like in your practice, and where do you wish it showed up more? Connect with Kristin: www.khpromanagement.com www.linkedin.com/in/khpm Where to Find Dr. Kelly: Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance. https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com
Transcribe →Episode 191 | Face Everything and Rise. Fear. Aging. Dentistry - Krystal Afzalzada, RDH
Jan 2700:33:01Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Dr. Kelly sits down with Krystal Afzalzada, a Canadian RDH, educator, and CE speaker who works at the intersection of: 🧠 Aging & dementia 🦷 Oral health & prevention 🤍 Fear, empathy & advocacy They talk about: Why “if you can imagine the path, it might be yours” Turning fear into “Face Everything And Rise” How to slow down in a 30–45 min appointment and actually listen Supporting aging patients, caregivers, and long-term care teams The human side of dentistry we don’t talk about enough If you’ve ever felt rushed but knew a patient needed more than “see you in 6 months,” this one’s for you. Krystal Afzalzada is a Registered Dental Hygienist, educator, and speaker with a passion for advancing oral healthcare through empathy, education, and interprofessional collaboration. With experience teaching in post-secondary dental programs and developing continuing education focused on aging populations and cognitive health, Krystal brings a thoughtful, human-centered approach to leadership, communication, and care. Her work bridges clinical practice, education, and advocacy, helping professionals better support patients, caregivers, and one another. 👇 Tell us in the comments: Connect with Krystal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystal-hurteau-rdh https://www.instagram.com/krystal.afzalzada.rdh/ Where to Find Dr. Kelly: Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance. https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com
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Episode 190 | It's Not Just About Straight Teeth - Lisa Moore
Jan 2000:35:53Tap to summarizeMany adults think orthodontics is just about straight teeth—or that it’s “too late” to start. In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with orthodontic hygienist and educator Liisa Moore to discuss why adult orthodontics is about far more than appearance. They dive into: Why “straight” teeth can still cause damage How crowding leads to recession, wear, and trauma The role of bite alignment in long-term oral health Why adults often regret waiting How tools like iTero scans reveal hidden risk Whether you’re a dental professional or a patient, this episode will shift how you think about orthodontics—and prevention. Liisa is a registered dental hygienist with 20 years of experience specializing in orthodontics. Her extensive knowledge led her to become the Orthodontic Curriculum lead at RDHU. She is a published author with articles in Oral Hygiene and Oh Canada Magazines, earning her a Reader’s Choice Award nomination. Outside the operatory, she is a Certified Personal Trainer, Pilates Mat instructor, and Healthy Eating and Weight Loss Coach. Although Liisa loves to travel, she is a true homebody who enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and her dog. Connect with Lisa Moore: www.rdhu.ca LISA MOORE's PODCAST: rdhCanada Where to Find Dr. Kelly: Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance. https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com
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Episode 189 | Nobody Tells You This About CE Speaking - Dr. Ashley Clark
Dec 3000:44:03Tap to summarizeWhat really happens behind the scenes of a successful CE speaker? In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with oral pathology expert Dr. Ashley Clark to talk about the evolution of oral pathology, digitized slides and AI, and the unspoken realities of life on the lecture circuit—from shoes and slide advancers to ethics, sponsorships, and being scouted without knowing it. A candid, funny, and insightful conversation for dentists, educators, and aspiring speakers. Dr. Ashley Clark is a board-certified oral pathologist who lectures nationally and is on several professional boards. Connect with Dr. Ashley Clark: https://www.camplaboratory.com/ https://www.rarebirdspeakers.com/our-speakers Where to Find Dr. Kelly: Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance. https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com
Transcribe →Episode 188 | The Cost of a Broken Handoff and the Transformation of Getting It Right - Tia Meyer
Dec 2300:32:09Tap to summarizeIn this powerful episode, Dr. Kelly Tanner and Tia Meyer break down one of the most overlooked yet transformative systems in dentistry: the handoff. From the moment your patient walks in the door to the final scheduling step, every touchpoint is an opportunity to build trust, create value, and strengthen case acceptance. Tia S. Meyer, RDH, is a clinical hygienist and the Clinical Director for a 11- location dental group, where she leads training, operational excellence, and team development across South Dakota and Nebraska. She is an active advocate for the dental hygiene profession at both the state and national levels and is known for her leadership in building empowered teams, elevating patient care standards, and integrating innovative clinical workflows. Tia is also a speaker, mentor, creator behind the One Day at a Time leadership brand, focused on inspiring growth in dentistry and beyond. If you've ever wondered why patients say “Do I really need this?” after the doctor leaves — this episode is your breakthrough. Where to Find Dr. Kelly: Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance. https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com
Transcribe →Episode 187 | Special Needs Dentistry, Autism Awareness & Inclusive Care in Dentistry- Dr. Jacob Dent
Dec 900:33:27Tap to summarizeIn this unforgettable episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Dr. Jacob Dent — a dentist, father, educator, and fierce advocate for inclusive dentistry. From a high-school comment about “steady hands”… to losing TWO dental offices to natural disasters… to raising a son diagnosed with autism at age two… Dr. Dent’s story reshaped not only his life, but the future of special needs dentistry. Book Dr. Dent: Visit Rare Bird Speakers to bring him to your next meeting or event. https://www.rarebirdspeakers.com/our-speakers https://www.specialneedswarriordoc.com/ Connect with Dr. Jacob Dent Visit Rare Bird Speakers to bring him to your next meeting or event. https://www.rarebirdspeakers.com/our-speakers https://www.specialneedswarriordoc.com/ Where to Find Dr. Kelly: Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance. https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com
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