Dentistry has a way of reminding us, sometimes gently, sometimes forcefully that no two days are ever the same. We can walk into the office with a perfectly planned schedule, only to discover that the most important task of the day has nothing to do with a procedure code.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after years in dentistry—as a hygienist, educator, consultant, and human—it’s this: dentistry is never just about teeth. It’s about people. And the further you go in your career, the clearer that becomes. 

Discover how purpose-driven dentistry, AI automation, dental marketing innovation, and heart-centered leadership are transforming practices—insights from Anissa Broussard on growth, mindset, and building impact-driven dental businesses. 

Let me ask you something, friend—have you ever felt like you didn’t quite “fit” in your dental practice, your classroom, or even your own career path? 

You’re not alone. 

In this powerful conversation on The Dental Handoff, I sat down with the incredible Kristin Haynes to unpack something we don’t talk about enough in dentistry: the lived experiences we carry—and how they quietly shape the way we lead, connect, and show up every single day. 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout my career in dental hygiene, it’s this: our profession is far more powerful than we often give it credit for. And when you sit down with someone like JoAnn Gurenlian—a true leader in education, research, and advocacy—you’re reminded just how much potential exists within every hygienist. 

"I was a weird kid always walking around my house, brushing my teeth and experimenting on my teeth, brushing with mouthwashes and hydrogen peroxide and baking soda," laughs Kari Carter-Cherelus, describing her early fascination with dental health. This childhood curiosity evolved into a 24-year career that has taken her from clinical practice to entrepreneurship, public speaking, and authorship.

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.