A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast

Assessment and diagnosis are at the heart of patient-centered dental hygiene care. In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave are joined by JoAnn Gurenlian, Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, and Darlene Swigart to explore how dental hygienists can move beyond simply collecting patient data to interpreting findings, developing accurate dental hygiene diagnoses, and making informed clinical decisions.
 
The conversation examines the critical-thinking skills needed to connect assessment findings to treatment planning, documentation, and improved patient outcomes while also considering the future of dental hygiene diagnosis and professional autonomy.
 
What We Talked About
 
The distinction between assessment and diagnosis
 
Why diagnosis is an essential component of the dental hygiene process of care
 
Common challenges clinicians face when interpreting assessment findings
 
The role of critical thinking in moving from collected data to clinical decisions
 
How assessment and diagnosis influence treatment planning and patient outcomes
 
Documentation considerations related to assessment and diagnosis
 
Strategies for teaching diagnostic reasoning to students
 
The future of dental hygiene diagnosis and professional autonomy
 
Call to Action
The next time you complete a patient assessment, pause before moving directly to treatment. Ask yourself what the findings mean, how they connect, and what they tell you about your patient's individual needs. Use that clinical reasoning to strengthen your dental hygiene diagnosis, treatment planning, documentation, and patient care.
 
Resources and Links
Darlene Swigart on LinkedIn
Ann Eshenaur Spolarich on LinkedIn
JoAnn Gurenlian on LinkedIn
Swigart, DJ, Gurenlian, J. Bringing Social Determinants of Health into the Dental Hygiene Diagnosis. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. 2026;24(1):32-35.
Swigart, DJ, Gurenlian, J, McCracken, A. Integrating Social Determinants of Health Screening in Student Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice. J Dent Hyg. 2025;9(6):52-63.
Swigart, DJ, Gurenlian, JR, Rogo, EJ. Dental Hygiene Diagnosis: A Qualitative Descriptive Study of Dental Hygienists. Can J Dent Hyg. 2020;54(3):113-123.
Gurenlian, JR, Swigart, DJ. Dental Hygiene Diagnosis: The Link Between Assessment and Care. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. 2018;16(12):36-39.
Gurenlian, JR, Sanderson, TR, Garland, K, Swigart, DJ. Exploring the Integration of the Dental Hygiene Diagnosis in Entry-Level Dental Hygiene Curricula. J Dent Hyg. 2018;92(4):18-26.
 
Contact the Hosts
Jessica Atkinson: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com
Dave Torres: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

JoAnn Gurenlian joins Jessica and Dave for a practical conversation about the purpose, evolution, and everyday importance of the Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice.
 
From understanding the difference between standards of care and scope of practice to applying professional standards in real-world clinical situations, this episode explores how standards can help dental hygienists strengthen clinical judgment, documentation, ethical decision-making, and patient outcomes.
 
What We Talked About
The purpose and evolution of the Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice
 
Why standards of care matter for every dental hygienist, regardless of practice setting
 
Common misconceptions about standards and scope of practice
 
How standards support clinical judgment, documentation, and patient outcomes
 
The relationship between standards, ethics, and professional accountability
 
How educators can help students move beyond memorization to implementation
 
Practical ways clinicians can incorporate the standards into everyday patient care
 
The future of standards and what dental hygienists need to understand moving forward
 
Call to Action
Take a fresh look at the Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice and consider how they apply to your own clinical decision-making, documentation, patient care, and professional responsibilities. Whether you are a student, educator, or practicing dental hygienist, use the standards as a framework for putting evidence, ethics, and professional judgment into action.
 
Resources and Links
JoAnn Gurenlian on LinkedIn
ADHA Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice — Process of Care
AAP Staging and Grading Periodontitis Chairside Guide — Periodontal evaluation
Dental Hygiene: Theory and Practice by Darby & Walsh
ADA CDT Codes
Guest Contact: Joanng@adha.net
Co-host Contacts: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com | dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

Every patient who sits in our chair brings more than just a mouth with them. Hormones, bone health, medications, and life stage can all influence what we see clinically.
 
In this episode, Jessica and Dave explore the connection between hormonal changes, bone health, and oral health—and why dental hygienists play an important role in recognizing the clues, starting conversations, and helping patients get the care they need.
 
What We Talked About:
How hormones and bone health influence oral health throughout a patient's lifetime
 
What clinicians may notice during puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, and beyond
 
Oral signs that may point to broader systemic or bone-health concerns
 
Why early screening can impact long-term health outcomes
 
Red flags and risk factors for premature bone loss and poor bone quality
 
How to discuss osteoporosis, bone density, and medications with patients
 
How to approach sensitive conversations with compassion and confidence
 
Three practical things every hygienist can start doing tomorrow
 
The Big Takeaway
The mouth can provide important clues about what is happening throughout the body. Understanding the connections between hormones, bone health, and oral health can help clinicians recognize risks earlier and provide more informed, whole-patient care.
 
Contact the guest:
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-evans-bs-mcl-rdh-thephrdh
 
Website: https://kristinevansrdh.wixsite.com/my-site-2

Jessica and Dave welcome Dr. Pamela Ray to discuss how hygienists can improve periodontal communication, help patients take ownership of their disease, and guide them toward informed decisions about their health.
This episode was brought to you by our friends at Net32.
 
What We Talked About:
Overcoming barriers to periodontal treatment acceptance.
 
Using the oral-systemic connection to motivate patients.
 
Effective language and communication strategies.
 
Strengthening communication with periodontists, physicians, and referral sources.
 
Handling patients who delay or decline treatment.
 
Practical tips for creating meaningful conversations that lead to action.
 
Call to Action:
Find your passion while practicing patient care.
 
Guest: Dr. Pamela Ray — drpamelaray@gmail.com
 
Hosts: Jessica and Dave — jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com | Dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) affect millions of patients, yet they remain widely misunderstood.
 
In this episode, Jessica and Dave explore a new way of thinking about TMD with Dr. Anthony Urbanek. After 36 years of performing TMJ surgery, Dr. Urbanek stopped and began researching the disease to better understand its causes and develop a nonsurgical approach.
 
What We Talked About:
 
Why the traditional TMD treatment paradigm needs to change
 
Common myths and misconceptions about TMD
 
The connection between occlusion, muscles, joints, inflammation, and symptoms
 
Why hygienists can be the first line of defense in TMD screening
 
Early recognition and practical screening strategies
 
Conservative, evidence-based approaches to TMD management
 
Helping patients understand their condition and treatment options
 
Where TMD research and treatment are headed
 
The big takeaway: The old paradigm treats symptoms. The new paradigm starts by understanding the disease.
 
Resources:
www.urbanektmj.com
https://www.dentalproductsreport.com/view/urbanek-tmj-device-is-designed-to-relieve-the-inflammation-that-causes-temporomandibular-disorder
https://www.dentaleconomics.com/science-tech/article/14299097/taking-the-bite-out-of-tmd
https://hub.dentalentrepreneur.com/podcasts/the-future-of-dentistry/episodes/2148166983
 
 
 
Contact Guest:
tony@tmjservices.net
 
https://www.facebook.com/TMJServicesofBrentwood
 
https://www.instagram.com/TMJServicesofBrentwood/
 
Contact the Hosts:
 
Jessica Atkinson: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com
 
Dave Torres: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com