549 Why Every Hygienist Should Read "Red Rising"
A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast
Release Date: 07/29/2026
550 Tracking What Matters: Measuring Student Competence for CODA Accreditation
A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast
What if the way we measure competence in dental hygiene education is missing the bigger picture? In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave sit down with Sara Taft to explore how data can transform dental hygiene education. From simplifying accreditation to uncovering meaningful trends in student performance, Sara shares how technology is helping educators move beyond compliance and toward truly understanding student growth. Whether you're preparing for CODA accreditation or looking for better ways to assess clinical competence, this conversation offers...
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Not All 10% Nanohydroxyapatite Toothpastes Are Created Equal
A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Jen explains why nanohydroxyapatite should never be viewed as a commodity ingredient. From crystal size and purity to manufacturing processes and mineral composition, numerous factors influence how effectively a formulation supports enamel remineralization. She also discusses the importance of evidence-based product development, transparency in fluoride-free oral care, and why dental professionals should look beyond the label when making recommendations. In This Episode Why ingredient percentage alone doesn't determine performance How nanohydroxyapatite quality impacts...
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549 Why Every Hygienist Should Read "Red Rising"
A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast
What can a bestselling science fiction novel teach dental hygienists about leadership, advocacy, and challenging the status quo? In this special episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave welcome back Ashley Kear (featured in Episode 521, From Dental Chair to Design Dreams: Ashley Kear on Building an Etsy Shop) for an out-of-the-box conversation about why Red Rising by Pierce Brown has become such a meaningful story for leadership and professional growth. Together, they explore the themes from the series that resonate with dental hygienists, the different leadership styles...
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548 Mission Trips: When Good Intentions Meet Ethical Responsibility
A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast
Mission trips have the power to change lives—but only when they're built on ethics, sustainability, and partnership. In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave welcome Dr. John Cutter for an honest conversation about the responsibilities that come with providing care in underserved communities. Together, they explore how clinicians can move beyond short-term solutions, build meaningful community partnerships, and approach service with cultural humility and a commitment to long-term impact. Whether you're a student, educator, or practicing clinician, this episode...
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547 Beyond the Dental Chair: Oral Health in Hospital and Medical Settings
A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast
What if some of the most important work dental hygienists can do happens outside the dental office? In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave sit down with Jenell Robins to explore the growing role of dental hygienists in hospital and medical settings. Jenell shares her journey into medical-dental integration, the impact oral health has on overall patient outcomes, and why collaboration across healthcare disciplines is becoming more important than ever. This conversation offers a glimpse into the future of the profession and the expanding opportunities available to...
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546 Meeting the Oral Health Needs of Patients With Special Needs
A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast
In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave welcome Candi Kidd, RDH, BSDH, MEd, to discuss the unique challenges patients with special healthcare needs face when accessing oral healthcare. From medically complex and tube-fed patients to collaborating with caregivers and healthcare teams, Candi shares practical strategies for creating more inclusive, compassionate, and effective dental experiences. This conversation challenges clinicians to rethink accessibility, advocacy, and the future of patient-centered care. In this episode, we discuss: Common barriers to...
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545 Access Is Built, Not Given: Community Outreach as Preventive Care
A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast
What if the biggest challenge in oral healthcare isn't clinical knowledge—but access? In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave sit down with Richard Robinson, BS, RDH, to discuss how community outreach is transforming preventive oral healthcare. Richard shares what it takes to build sustainable partnerships, reach underserved populations, and remove the barriers that prevent people from receiving the care they need. From advocacy and education to real-world outreach initiatives, this conversation highlights how every dental professional can make a lasting impact...
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Parkell Podcast-Chat: Clinical Innovation with DuraTip – Using Ultrasonics Well: Efficiency, Ergonomics, and Patient Comfort
A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast
In this special bonus episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave welcome back Noel and Richard Paschke, better known as Mr. and Mrs. Ultrasonics, for a deep dive into ultrasonic insert performance, wear, and innovation. The Paschkes explore why all ultrasonic tips wear over time, how worn inserts impact patient outcomes and clinician efficiency, and the engineering principles behind DuraTip, Rich's latest invention manufactured by Parkell. They also discuss practical systems for measuring insert performance, the risks of using ineffective instruments, and how technology...
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544 The Science -How Ultrasonics Actually Work: Amplitude, Frequency, and Cleaning Efficiency
A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast
In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave welcome back Noel and Richard Paschke, better known as Mr. and Mrs. Ultrasonics. Together, they break down the science behind ultrasonic instrumentation, separating fact from fiction on topics like frequency, amplitude, cavitation, cleaning efficiency, and clinical technique. Rich shares an engineer's perspective on how ultrasonic devices are designed, while Noel translates the physics into practical applications for today's clinician. They also discuss common misconceptions about piezo and magnetostrictive units, how...
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543 The Origin Story- Mr. & Mrs. Ultrasonics: How the Paschkes Changed the Way We Scale
A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast
Jessica and Dave sit down with Noel and Richard Paschke—known throughout dentistry as Mr. and Mrs. Ultrasonics. Noel, a pioneering dental hygienist, educator, inventor, and industry leader, joins her husband Rich, an ultrasonic engineer and innovator, to share the story behind their partnership and the impact they've had on ultrasonic scaling technology. Together, they discuss how clinical experience and engineering expertise came together to drive product innovation, improve ergonomics, and shape many of the ultrasonic technologies clinicians use today. They also share...
info_outlineWhat can a bestselling science fiction novel teach dental hygienists about leadership, advocacy, and challenging the status quo?
In this special episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave welcome back Ashley Kear (featured in Episode 521, From Dental Chair to Design Dreams: Ashley Kear on Building an Etsy Shop) for an out-of-the-box conversation about why Red Rising by Pierce Brown has become such a meaningful story for leadership and professional growth.
Together, they explore the themes from the series that resonate with dental hygienists, the different leadership styles found throughout the books, and the parallels between Darrow's journey and the evolution of the dental hygiene profession. From questioning old systems to inspiring change, this conversation is all about thinking bigger, leading with purpose, and embracing what's possible.
In this episode, you'll hear:
Why Red Rising resonates with dental hygienists
Leadership lessons from the series
How challenging the status quo relates to advancing dental hygiene
How stories can inspire stronger leaders, educators, and advocates
Ashley's perspective on what hygienists can learn from the series
If you enjoyed this conversation, share it with a fellow hygienist, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Resources:
Read Red Rising by Pierce Brown: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/221552/red-rising-by-pierce-brown/
Contact Ashley:
Contact the Hosts
Jessica Atkinson: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com
Dave Torres: dtorres@endeavorb2b.com