When Katie Benavidez watched dental hygienists cleaning her teeth as a child, she was fascinated by the scaling instruments working on her "baby teeth." That early curiosity sparked a career path that would eventually lead her to become a pioneer in dental endoscopy—a technology that allows hygienists to literally see below the gumline during treatment.

In a recent interview on The Dental Handoff podcast with Dr. Kelly Tanner, Benavidez shared her journey from dental assistant to hygienist to co-founder of PerioPrecise, a company making dental endoscopy more accessible to practices nationwide.

"We are their dental home. Even though we're portable, we can return to the schools multiple times... I've even heard stories where we give them the one toothbrush they have a year." These powerful words from Kendra McKune, a dental hygienist who found her calling in mobile dental care, capture the essence of her mission to serve children with limited access to oral healthcare.

In a recent interview on The Dental Handoff podcast with Dr. Kelly Tanner, Kendra shared her non-traditional path through dentistry and her current role with Smile America Partners, a mobile dental company serving low-income children in school settings nationwide.

On a recent episode of The Dental Handoff, I sat down with one of my favorite humans—and a true orthodontic expert—Liisa Moore, RDH, who teaches at the college level in Canada and practices full-time in an orthodontic office. What unfolded was an honest, clinically rich conversation about adult orthodontics, bias in recommendations, and why we can no longer afford to view orthodontic care as “just cosmetic.” 

One of my favorite things about hosting The Dental Handoff is getting to sit down with people who are not only brilliant in their field, but also deeply human. This episode was exactly that. 

I had the absolute joy of welcoming back Dr. Ashley Clark, oral pathologist, educator, and what I lovingly call an edutainer. If you’ve ever seen Ashley lecture, you know what I mean: sharp clinical insight, bad-slash-good jokes, and an uncanny ability to make complex oral pathology both approachable and memorable. 

If there’s one thing I know for sure after years in dentistry, it’s this: the dental handoff is the heartbeat of the practice. 

It’s not just a transition. 
It’s not just communication. 
And it’s definitely not “someone else’s job.” 

In a recent episode of The Dental Handoff podcast, host Dr. Kelly Tanner welcomed dental hygienist Lacey Walker, who joined from Germany to share her journey in dental hygiene and her holistic approach to patient care.

In a recent conversation with Dr. Kelly Tanner on The Dental Handoff podcast, Dr. McCarty shared insights from his evolution from a primary care physician to a sleep medicine specialist, revealing how dental professionals play a crucial role in addressing this widespread condition.

When dental hygiene students approached ADHA President Erin Haley Hintz at a recent conference, their excitement to meet her felt surreal. "I wanted to turn around and look. Did you see her? Like, oh, that's me," she recalls with genuine humility in a recent interview on The Dental Handoff podcast with Dr. Kelly Tanner. Despite her prestigious position, Haley Hintz doesn't view her journey as extraordinary—yet her path from clinical practice to national leadership offers powerful lessons about resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose through professional engagement.

Finding fulfillment sometimes means charting an unconventional path in the ever-evolving landscape of dental careers. On a recent episode of The Dental Handoff podcast, Dr. Kelly Tanner sat down with Bethany Montoya, BAS, RDH—the editorial director of Dentistry IQ's Clinical Insights newsletter—to explore how dental professionals can recognize when it's time for change and discover new avenues for professional growth.

In a candid conversation with Dr. Kelly Tanner at the Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting, Dr. Hornbrook—a pioneer in aesthetic dentistry—shared insights on finding purpose in dentistry, communicating effectively with patients, and creating life-changing experiences through exceptional care.

When six-year-old Charo Earl met a female dentist who made her feel comfortable during a routine appointment, she never imagined this encounter would spark a career trajectory leading from dental assistant to Chief Operating Officer. In a compelling conversation with Dr. Kelly Tanner on The Dental Handoff podcast, Charo reveals how embracing opportunity, building relationships, and focusing on patient education transformed her professional path in unexpected ways.

On a recent episode of The Dental Handoff podcast, Dr. Kelly Tanner interviewed Brooke Benton, RDH, B.Sc., whose journey from aspiring dentist to pioneering oral cancer researcher at NYU's Translational Research Center reveals how dental hygiene expertise can forge unexpected and potentially life-saving pathways in healthcare.

In the demanding world of dentistry, where precision meets patience and care meets chronic stress, finding balance isn't just beneficial—it's essential. On a recent episode of The Dental Handoff podcast, Dr. Kelly Tanner sat down with Coach Abe, a dental practice manager and fitness expert, to explore the intersection of dental practice management, wellness, and personal growth.

In a fascinating episode of The Dental Handoff podcast, host Dr. Kelly Tanner welcomed dental hygienist and entrepreneur Marvalyn Navarro to discuss her journey from clinical hygienist to innovative business owner in the field of periodontal treatment.

Lauren's journey into dentistry was influenced by her desire to find a career that balanced science, art, and the potential for business ownership. Coming from a family of healthcare professionals, including a grandfather who was an endodontist, Lauren was naturally drawn to medical professions but wanted a path that wouldn't require decades of schooling.

"I can't tell you very many things that I have learned from successes, but every failure is a learning opportunity." This insight from Dr. John Flucke, self-described "Technology Evangelist," encapsulates his approach to dentistry and innovation. In a recent conversation with Dr. Kelly Tanner on The Dental Handoff podcast at the Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting, Dr. Flucke shared his remarkable journey from a three-year-old pulling his sister's tooth to becoming one of dentistry's most respected technology advisors.

In the world of dental hygiene education, where precision and standards reign supreme, finding moments of "chill" can be challenging. In a recent episode of The Dental Handoff podcast, host Dr. Kelly Tanner spoke with Jessica Atkinson, Senior Clinic Coordinator at Utah Tech University and co-founder of Hygiene Edge, about the evolving landscape of dental education, the joys of teaching, and the delicate balance between maintaining standards and creating a supportive learning environment.

"When you're scared to jump, that's exactly when you should do it." This philosophy has guided Jennifer Turner's remarkable career from clinical dental hygienist to DSO leader, educator, and regulatory president. In a recent interview with Dr. Kelly Tanner on The Dental Handoff podcast, Turner shared her extraordinary journey—one that began with a devastating accident that nearly claimed her life.

Twenty years ago, Heather McGuire was serving coney dogs at a Detroit restaurant, a single mother of three by age 24, when a friend's suggestion changed the trajectory of her life. Today, she's the Director of Dental Hygiene Development for Seva Dental Team, with leadership experience spanning pharmaceutical sales and DSO management. Her journey from clinical practice to corporate leadership offers powerful lessons for hygienists feeling that familiar "nudge" toward something more.

Dr. Kelly Tanner interviewed the dynamic Dr. Uchi, whose infectious enthusiasm for the human microbiome reveals how our gut health profoundly impacts everything from our appearance to our cognitive function.