In this episode of Burnout Bites, Kari Carter-Cherelus, RDH, sits down with Jazmine Chavez, dental hygienist and owner/founder of Pearl House Dental Hygiene Studio and Pearl Genius Consulting, for an honest conversation about burnout, entrepreneurship, dental hygiene autonomy, practice ownership, and creating a career on your own terms.

Jazmine’s journey in dentistry began in dental assisting before she became a dental hygienist, clinical instructor, and entrepreneur. After experiencing burnout while working five days a week and commuting 45 minutes each way, she began questioning whether there was another way to practice without leaving the profession she loved.

That journey eventually led her to create Pearl House Dental Hygiene Studio, an independent collaborative dental hygiene practice in New Mexico. She later founded Pearl Genius Consulting, where she uses her experience to help other dental hygienists explore entrepreneurship and practice ownership.

Kari and Jazmine discuss the side of entrepreneurship that isn’t always visible on social media: long hours, administrative responsibilities, insurance, marketing, attracting patients, continuing education, and learning to create boundaries when there is always more work to do.

They also explore dental hygiene autonomy and the responsibility that comes with it. Jazmine shares why experience, strong clinical skills, continuing education, mentorship, and business knowledge are essential for hygienists interested in independent or collaborative practice.

The conversation also tackles the business of dental hygiene. Understanding production and practice economics doesn’t have to mean putting profits before patients. Instead, knowing your value, understanding comprehensive care, communicating effectively with patients, and recognizing how hygiene contributes to a practice can make you a stronger clinician.

Jazmine also shares her commitment to accepting Medicaid patients and discusses how innovative dental hygiene practice models may help improve access to preventive oral healthcare.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Becoming a dental hygiene practice owner

• Building Pearl House Dental Hygiene Studio

• Launching Pearl Genius Consulting

• Dental hygiene autonomy and collaborative practice

• Avoiding burnout as a business owner

• Understanding the business side of dental hygiene

• Production and patient-centered care

• Mentorship, continuing education, and advocacy

• Collaboration between hygienists and dentists

• Using social media to grow a business and professional brand

Jazmine’s story reminds us that burnout doesn’t always mean you need to leave dental hygiene. Sometimes the way you’re practicing dental hygiene needs to change.

Jazmine Chavez is a dental hygienist and owner/founder of Pearl House Dental Hygiene Studio and Pearl Genius Consulting. Her career spans dental assisting, clinical dental hygiene, education, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and advocacy. Through her businesses, she is expanding access to preventive care while helping other dental hygienists explore opportunities in practice ownership and entrepreneurship.

Connect with Jazmine

Pearl Genius Consulting: PearlGeniusCo.com Pearl House Dental Hygiene Studio: PearlHouseStudio.com Instagram: @pearlhouse.nm

🎙️ Burnout Bites is hosted by Kari Carter-Cherelus, RDH, author of The Ultimate Guide for Dental Hygienist Burnout and founder of KMC Strategic Solutions.

From Burnout to Public Health: Redefining a Career in Dental Hygiene

In this episode of Burnout Bites, Kari Carter-Cherelus, RDH, sits down with Pamela “Pammy J” Graboso-Saul for a conversation about burnout recovery, career reinvention, public health, research, and discovering opportunities beyond traditional clinical dental hygiene.

Pammy J is a licensed dental hygienist, researcher, educator, and public health advocate. She currently serves as a Research Dental Hygienist on NIH-funded projects focused on child and oral health in New York City while pursuing her MPH in Oral Population Health at CUNY. Passionate about equity, community, and mentorship, Pam blends her clinical expertise with public health research, leadership, and content creation to inspire the next generation of dental hygienists.

During the conversation, Pam shares how stepping back from an overwhelming season of work and school gave her the space to heal, reconnect with family and friends, begin therapy, and reevaluate what she truly wanted from her career.

But as life became more manageable, she discovered something important: recovering from burnout didn't mean she had to stop being ambitious. Instead, she needed to find a healthier and more meaningful way to use that ambition.

That realization helped lead Pam beyond the traditional operatory and into public health and research. She discusses her work as a research dental hygienist, her journey toward earning her MPH, her passion for addressing oral health disparities, and the importance of dental hygienists having a voice in research, public health, and interdisciplinary healthcare spaces.

Kari and Pam also explore a challenge that can emerge when new opportunities begin opening up: how do you pursue work you're passionate about without recreating the same habits that contributed to burnout?

This conversation is a reminder that career growth doesn't always require leaving dental hygiene. Sometimes it means expanding your definition of what being a dental hygienist can look like.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Recognizing the difference between recovering from burnout and finding career fulfillment

• Transitioning from traditional clinical practice into research and public health

• Pam's experience working on NIH-funded child and oral health research

• Pursuing an MPH in Oral Population Health •

Career opportunities for dental hygienists beyond the operatory

• Oral health disparities, health equity, and community centered care

• Why dental hygienists belong in research and public health spaces

• The importance of medical-dental and interdisciplinary collaboration

• Networking, mentorship, and professional organizations as pathways to new opportunities

• Letting go of guilt when your career begins moving in a different direction

• Setting boundaries even when you're excited and passionate about your work

• Creating space for dental hygienists in areas where our profession may be underrepresented

• Giving the next generation of hygienists permission to envision careers that look different from traditional clinical practice

Burnout recovery doesn't require you to become less ambitious. It may require you to pursue your ambition differently.

You can love dental hygiene and still want more. You can appreciate your clinical foundation while exploring research, education, public health, leadership, entrepreneurship, industry, or other opportunities.

Your career is allowed to evolve.

And sometimes stepping beyond the four walls of the operatory is exactly what helps you rediscover your purpose.

🎙️ Burnout Bites is hosted by Kari Carter-Cherelus, RDH, author of The Ultimate Guide for Dental Hygienist Burnout and founder of KMC Strategic Solutions.

In this episode of Burnout Bites, Kari Carter-Cherelus sits down with Misti Lenoir, RDH, a dental hygienist with 16 years of experience and a passion for transforming oral healthcare through innovation, education, and community outreach.

Misti shares her journey in dental hygiene, discussing how her commitment to comprehensive oral-systemic care has shaped her career and fueled her dedication to improving patient outcomes. She explores the growing role of technology in dentistry, how clinicians can embrace innovation while maintaining patient-centered care, and why expanding access to oral health education remains a critical part of advancing public health.

Beyond clinical practice, Misti discusses her work leading teams, delivering continuing education programs, and advocating for underserved communities. Her purpose-driven approach highlights the powerful impact dental professionals can have both inside and outside the operatory.

Whether you're a practicing hygienist, a dental leader, or someone looking to create greater impact in your career, this conversation offers inspiration and practical insights for the future of dental hygiene.

In this episode of Burnout Bites, Kari Carter-Cherelus sits down with Cheryl Calmis, RDH, BS, MEd, a respected dental hygienist, educator, and advocate with more than 30 years of clinical experience.

Cheryl shares her journey from clinical practice to becoming a nationally recognized speaker and educator. With expertise in periodontics, laser therapy, and Guided Biofilm Therapy, she discusses how dental hygienists can continue to grow professionally while remaining passionate about patient care.

The conversation explores the importance of lifelong learning, the role of evidence-based dentistry, and how education can empower clinicians to provide exceptional care while avoiding stagnation and burnout. Cheryl also reflects on her work as a Professional Educator for Waterpik™, her contributions to dental publications, and the value of mentorship and professional involvement throughout a dental hygiene career.

Whether you're a new graduate or a seasoned clinician, Cheryl's insights offer inspiration for building a sustainable, fulfilling, and impactful career in dental hygiene.

Cheryl Calmis is a dental hygienist with more than 30 years of clinical experience specializing in periodontics, laser therapy, and Guided Biofilm Therapy. She holds bachelor's degrees in biology and dental hygiene and earned a Master of Education degree with honors in Instructional Design.

A sought-after speaker and educator, Cheryl has presented continuing education programs for organizations nationwide and has contributed articles to Today’s RDH, Cocofloss, and DoctorBase. She is currently in her seventh year as a Professional Educator for Waterpik™ and remains actively involved with ADHA, CDHA, and the American Academy of Periodontology's Dental Hygienist Recognition Program.

In this episode we discuss:

• Amanda’s journey becoming a dental hygienist as a deaf professional

• Barriers students with hearing loss face in dental hygiene programs

• The mission behind That Deaf RDH and the importance of mentorship

• How representation and advocacy can improve diversity in healthcare

• The role of myofunctional therapy and airway health in dentistry

• Why early intervention in oral function and breathing matters for children

• How dental hygienists can become advocates for airway health

• Advice for professionals navigating challenges in their careers

This powerful conversation highlights mentorship, advocacy, and how representation can transform healthcare professions.

Amanda Zubricki is a deaf mom, dental hygienist, nonprofit founder, and myofunctional therapist dedicated to improving access and awareness in dentistry. She founded That Deaf RDH, a nonprofit that provides mentorship and community support for students with hearing loss pursuing careers in dental hygiene.

Through The Myo Project, Amanda works with families to address oral function, breathing patterns, and early intervention strategies that support healthier long-term outcomes.

Amanda’s work focuses on advocacy, mentorship, and empowering others to overcome barriers while transforming the future of dental and airway health.

Connect with Amanda

• That Deaf RDH • The Myo Project • Instagram: @ThatDeafRDH

In this episode, we’re joined by Joy Lantz, owner of Joy Lantz: Transforming Oral Health, internationally recognized speaker, educator, and airway advocate who is helping dental professionals rethink oral health from infancy through adulthood.

With nearly 30 years in dentistry, Joy specializes in oral myofunctional disorders, airway health, lactation support, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She consults with dental practices across the country to help them incorporate airway-centered care and comprehensive screening into everyday dentistry.

We dive into: ✨ Why airway and oral function matter for overall health ✨ How dental professionals can begin screening for oral myofunctional disorders ✨ The connection between oral development, sleep, feeding, and long-term wellness ✨ How to bring airway and myofunctional services into your practice ✨ Educating patients and parents on early intervention and prevention ✨ Collaboration between dental and medical professionals for better outcomes

Joy’s passion is empowering clinicians to “make the invisible visible” by identifying oral dysfunction early and improving whole-body health through dentistry.

If you’re ready to expand your clinical perspective and understand the powerful connection between airway, oral function, and overall wellness this episode is for you.

🔗 Connect with Joy Lantz & Learn More: Website: https://www.joylantz.com/ Oral Function Specialties: https://oralfunctions.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoyLantzPro/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joylantzpro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joylantzrdh/

🏢 Company: Joy Lantz: Transforming Oral Health

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with a colleague who is ready to elevate patient care and rethink what’s possible in dentistry.

In this episode of Burnout Bites, we sit down with Dr. Sonya Dunbar, affectionately known as The Geriatric Toothfairy. Sonya is an international speaker, award-winning author, Mindset Detox Coach, and a visionary healthcare leader with over 30 years of experience in dental hygiene and geriatric oral health. She’s also the CEO and Co-Founder of Mobile Dental Xpress, transforming access to dental care for seniors and homebound individuals across multiple states.

We dive deep into:

• Mindset matters: How cultivating a healthy mindset fuels resilience, purpose, and impact in your personal and professional life.
• Caring for the elderly: The unique challenges and rewards of providing dental care to seniors and homebound patients.
• Combating burnout: Practical tips for staying energized, inspired, and compassionate while serving others.

Whether you’re a dental professional, caregiver, or someone navigating the demands of healthcare and life, Sonya’s wisdom will inspire you to care for yourself while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

www.linkedin.com/in/geriatrictoothfairy

Connect with Dr. Sonya Dunbar:

• Being Her Unapologetically conference 1/24/ 26 www.bhuconference.com

In this inspiring episode, Kari sits down with Jayla Bryant, a former dental assistant and current dental hygiene student who is passionate about elevating and educating the next generation of dental professionals.

Jayla shares her journey from dental assisting to pursuing her dream of becoming a dental hygienist, opening up about what motivated her transition, the challenges she’s overcome, and the growth she’s experienced along the way. With a heart for connection and a commitment to spreading awareness about the dental field, Jayla brings an authentic and uplifting perspective to the student experience.

Listeners will hear:

• Why Jayla decided to take the leap from dental assisting to dental hygiene school
• How her background as an assistant strengthened her confidence and clinical skills
• Tips for students considering the transition into dental hygiene
• The importance of mentorship, community, and representation in dentistry
• Jayla’s vision for using her platform to educate, connect, and inspire others

Jayla is engaged, community-focused, and dedicated to making a positive impact in the dental profession. Her story will resonate with aspiring hygienists, current students, and anyone navigating a career transition within dentistry.

You can contact her on every platform under Jaloodental