Dental 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?

www.khpromanagement.com

www.linkedin.com/in/khpm

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

In 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/

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

Many 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.

www.rdhu.ca

LISA MOORE's PODCAST: rdhCanada

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