A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast

In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave explore the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in dentistry and dental hygiene. From clinical decision-making to education and patient care, the conversation examines where AI can help, where it creates new challenges, and why human judgment remains essential.
 
In this episode we talked about:
 
How AI is currently being used in dentistry and dental hygiene
 
Opportunities AI may create for clinicians, educators, students, and patients
 
Concerns surrounding ethics, overreliance, accuracy, privacy, and critical thinking
 
Whether AI should be viewed as a tool, a threat, or a collaborative teammate
 
The importance of human judgment, empathy, and patient connection in an increasingly digital environment
 
How educators can prepare students for AI-integrated practice settings
 
Practical ways clinicians can use AI responsibly and effectively
 
What the future of AI in dental hygiene might realistically look like
 
Resources:
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebayle/
 
Instagram: @saltcityhygi
 
Pearl: www.hellopearl.com
 
Pearl Case Studies and Guides: https://hellopearl.com/case-studies-guides
 
Contact the Hosts:
 
Jessica Atkinson: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com
Dave Torres: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

What if true rigor in education isn't about making learning harder—but making it more meaningful?
 
In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave sit down with Marion Manski, MS, RDH, to reflect on a distinguished career in dental hygiene education. As she prepares for retirement, Marion shares how her philosophy of teaching has evolved, why high standards and compassion can coexist, and what today's educators can do to help students succeed without losing sight of their humanity.
 
This conversation is a thoughtful look at leadership, mentorship, and the lasting impact educators have on the future of the profession.
 
In This Episode:
 
How Marion's teaching philosophy has evolved over the years.
 
What academic rigor really means in today's educational environment.
 
Balancing high expectations with student support and empathy.
 
Advice for new dental hygiene educators entering academia.
 
Reflections on a career of teaching, mentorship, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.
 
Connect with Our Guest:
 
Marion Manski, MS, RDH
Email: manskimc@vcu.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marion-manski-ms-rdh-839b0571/
 
Contact the Hosts:
 
Jessica Atkinson
Email: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com
 
Dave Torres
Email: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

What if the biggest challenge facing dental hygiene education isn't recruitment or curriculum—but burnout?
 
In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave welcome Jasmin Haley for a conversation about the emotional and professional demands of teaching. Together, they explore why educating future clinicians is a form of clinical work in itself, how burnout quietly develops, and what educators and institutions can do to build more sustainable careers.
 
Whether you're a seasoned faculty member or just beginning your journey in academia, this episode offers practical strategies for protecting your well-being while continuing to make a lasting impact.
 
In This Episode
 
The unique causes of burnout among dental hygiene educators.
 
Why teaching is both clinical and emotional labor.
 
Balancing teaching, service, scholarship, and personal well-being.
 
Setting boundaries and creating sustainable workloads.
 
Recognizing the early warning signs of burnout.
 
Practical strategies for maintaining passion and purpose in education.
 
How academic institutions can better support faculty wellness and retention.
 
Advice for new educators entering academia.
 
Redefining success and productivity in an academic career.
 
Connect with Our Guest
 
Jasmin Haley
Email: info@beyondtheprophy.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminhaley/
 
Contact the Hosts
 
Jessica Atkinson
Email: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com
 
Dave Torres
Email: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave sit down with Dr. Glenn Canares, DDS, MSD, to explore how psychological safety transforms learning environments, why there's a critical difference between being nice and being kind, and how Hygienist and educators can challenge learners while fostering growth. Glenn shares practical strategies for modeling self-care, delivering meaningful feedback, and creating sustainable, high-performing educational cultures that ultimately improve patient care.
 
In this episode, we discuss:
 
Why psychological safety is essential for effective learning
 
The difference between "nice" and "kind" feedback
 
Modeling self-care and growth-oriented leadership
 
How kindness improves learning, performance, and patient outcomes
 
Sustainable ways to integrate kindness into rigorous training programs
 
Connect with Dr. Glenn Canares:
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-canares/
Instagram: @oracleofkindness
Email: glenn@oracleofkindness.com
 
Connect with the Hosts:
 
Jessica Atkinson: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com
Dave Torres: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com

Why do so many dental professionals struggle with instrument sharpening, and what impact does it have on patient care, efficiency, and instrument longevity?
 
In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave sit down with Jennifer Simoncelli, RDH, to discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of clinical success: instrument maintenance. Jennifer shares what inspired the development of XpressEdge, how it simplifies the sharpening process compared to traditional methods, and the real-world results practices are seeing after adopting it.
 
If you've ever wondered whether your instruments are performing at their best, this conversation offers practical insights that every dental team can apply.
 
In This Episode:
 
Why instrument sharpening remains a challenge for many clinicians.
 
The inspiration behind the development of XpressEdge.
 
How XpressEdge differs from traditional sharpening methods.
 
Feedback and success stories from practices using the system.
 
The one thing every dental office should know about instrument maintenance.
 
Connect with Our Guest:
 
Jennifer Simoncelli, RDH
Email: JSimoncelli@Nordent.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jennifer-simoncelli-rdh-64569a54
 
Contact the Hosts:
 
Jessica Atkinson
Email: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com
 
Dave Torres
Email: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com
 
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Nordent. To learn more about XpressEdge and explore their full range of dental instruments and products, visit www.Nordent.com.