Periodontal disease affects one billion people worldwide with severe disease, and in the U.S., prevalence has risen 25 percent over the past three decades. So why isn't the needle moving? Matt sits down with Dr. JoAnn Gurenlian, ADHA's director of education, research and advocacy, and Dr. Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, assistant dean for research at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health at A.T. Still University, to dig into ADHA's new white paper on periodontal disease prevention. They cover the P4 care model, the evidence behind antiseptic mouth rinse, emerging diagnostic technologies, CDT coding for preventive services and what it really looks like to move from telling patients what to do to actually partnering with them in their care. This episode and its companion white paper were developed with support from LISTERINE.

Guests: JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AAFAAOM, FADHA and Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, RDH, PhD, FSCDH

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

ADHA White Paper: https://www.adha.org/rinse-resource-center/white-paper-highlights

Rinse Resource Center: https://www.adha.org/rinse-resource-center/

ADHA Advocacy: https://www.adha.org/advocacy/

Dental hygienists don't diagnose." It's one of the most persistent misconceptions in the profession, and it's wrong. Podcast host Matt Crespin sits down with the three co-authors of ADHA's newly released white paper "Dental Hygiene Diagnosis" (DHDx) to set the record straight. Darlene Swigart, Krista Beaty, and Toni McLeroy explain where this misconception came from, why the language we use shapes our professional identity, and how every hygienist is already making diagnostic decisions — from elevated blood pressure to food insecurity — whether they call it that or not. They walk through the Gurenlian and Swigart DHDx model, the case for standardizing terminology across education and state practice acts, and why CODA must reinstate DHDx explicitly into accreditation standards. Plus: how to start documenting dental hygiene diagnoses tomorrow morning, how AI fits into the diagnostic process, and why naming what we do is the first step to elevating the entire profession. Essential listening for every dental hygienist, in any practice setting.

Guests: Darlene J. Swigart, EPDH, MS, FADHA; Krista L. Beaty, MS, RDH; Toni McLeroy, CRDH, MSDH, FADHA

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

What does truly integrated care look like – and what role should dental hygienists play in it? As National Children's Dental Health Month comes to a close, host Matt Crespin sits down with two speakers from ADHA's first-ever Integrated Care Summit to explore how medical-dental integration is reshaping patient care. Nevada hygienist Jessica Woods shares real-world cases – from cardiologist referrals to coordinating airway care for her own daughter – that prove integration isn't just for public health settings. Pediatrician Dr. Connie Gundacker offers a medical perspective, revealing why most physicians receive little to no oral health training and how hygienists can bridge that gap. Together, they make a compelling case: dental hygienists are uniquely positioned to lead integration efforts, if the profession seizes the opportunity. Matt also covers ADHA award nominations, OPA legislative updates and upcoming events. Join these speakers and more at the Integrated Care Summit, May 15–17 in Broomfield, Colorado.

Guests: Constance Gundacker, MD, MPH, FAAP, Section Chief of General and Community Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin and Jessica L. Woods, MPH, RDH, FADHA, Chief Executive Officer, Executive RDH

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

Nursing achieved self-regulation a century ago – so why not dental hygiene? Your host Matt Crespin explores this with Cindy Gadbury-Amyot and Sylvie Martel, lead authors of the ADHA’s newly released white paper on self-regulation. With 97% of Canadian dental hygienists self-regulated, Sylvie shares lessons from a 30-year journey of patience, resilience and coalition-building. Meanwhile, Cindy sounds the alarm on threats like Missouri's Oral Preventive Assistant pilot project – and explains why similar legislation is being introduced across the U.S. This episode tackles the big questions: Who should determine scope of practice? How does regulation by dental boards limit access to care? And what will it take to move the profession forward? Whether you're new to the self-regulation conversation or have been advocating for decades, this is essential listening.

Guests: Cynthia C. Gadbury-Amyot, RDH, MS, EdD, FADHA; Sylvie Martel, RDH, DipHE (Andragogy)

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

adha.org/WhitePapers

adha.org/WorkingForYou

https://www.adha.org/TakeAction

https://www.adha.org/advocacy/opa/

This week Matt Crespin is joined by Cathy Draper, RDH, ADHA Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene Recipient. Matt and Cathy talk about Cathy's journey and experience with ADHA.

Episode Highlights

• Cathy's Journey
• ADHA Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene

Quotes

"I jumped at the opportunity to go and provide dental care within those cities…the world became a much bigger place"

"I went at night, 4 nights a week to complete my bachelors"

"No he was wasn't in the military, just a guy with a lot of wanderlust"

"In 1975 infection control looked very different than years later"

"I've always been involved with the association as a member, and with my local component"

"We help patients and their families access evidence based health information"

"I knew I was going to miss them, but I didn't realize how much"

"Things are changing daily, we are on the third revision for ADHA Guidance"

"If you are passionate about teaching it can be so fulfilling"

Links

ADHA Annual Report: https://www.adha.org/annual-reports

The health and wellness of the dental hygiene community and the patients you serve is our top priority. We are closely monitoring developments surrounding COVID-19 and will continue to keep you informed. For more information from ADHA, visit https://www.adha.org/covid19.

Visit www.adha.org for membership processing,

membership updates, renewals and conference registration!

FAQ: https://www.adha2020.org/faq/

Email for COVID Questions/Input: rdhcovidinfo@adha.net

Resource Center: https://www.adha.org/covid19

American Dental Hygienists' Association homepage: https://www.adha.org/

ADHA Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/youradha/

The Dental Podcast Network Channel One homepage:

http://dentalpodcastnetworkchannelone.otcpn.libsynpro.com/

Ready for PART II? Our expert ADHA and ADA panel is back to continue the discussion about the recent research release of "COVID-19 and the Dental Hygienist". Join us for more on what we are learning about the impact of the pandemic on the dental hygiene workforce, infection control practices and vaccine acceptance. Tune in and if you haven't already, be sure to check out the full manuscripts from the longitudinal study featured in this month's issue of the Journal of Dental Hygiene.

To read the full studies discussed on this episode visit: www.jdh.adha.org

To learn more about the research done by the ADA Health Policy Institute visit: https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute

This week Matt Crespin is joined by return guest Ann Lynch who serves as the Director of Advocacy and Education at ADHA. Ann joins Matt to discuss the pandemic, taking a look at how ADHA has progressed through the past year!

Episode Highlights

• Covid-19 response
• Advocacy work
• RDH's administering Covid-19 vaccine
• Engagement and membership
• Concerns

Quotes

"It is hard for me to believe it has been a year since the beginning of that time."

"There were far more questions, than answers and information at that time."

"We have responded to over 1500 individual inquiries, and we will continue to do so."

"We had 14,327 individuals attend at least one of those Covid webinars."

"Everyone is looking for the positive in this last year."

"This pandemic fatigue is a very real thing."

Links

The health and wellness of the dental hygiene community and the patients you serve is our top priority. We are closely monitoring developments surrounding COVID-19 and will continue to keep you informed. For more information from ADHA, visit https://www.adha.org/covid19.

COVID QUESTION EMAIL: rdhcovidinfo@ahda.net

www.ADHA2021.org

Matt's Email: MattC@ADHA.net

ADHA Annual Report: https://www.adha.org/annual-reports

Visit www.adha.org for membership processing,

membership updates, renewals and conference registration!

FAQ: https://www.adha2020.org/faq/

Email for COVID Questions/Input: rdhcovidinfo@adha.net

Resource Center: https://www.adha.org/covid19

American Dental Hygienists' Association homepage: https://www.adha.org/

ADHA Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/youradha/

The Dental Podcast Network Channel One homepage:

http://dentalpodcastnetworkchannelone.otcpn.libsynpro.com/