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.

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.

"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.

On a recent episode of The Dental Handoff podcast, Dr. Kelly Tanner spoke with Dr. Matthew Norton—a leadership coach whose unconventional journey from chiropractor to dental leadership expert offers valuable insights for professionals seeking to enhance their practice culture and team dynamics.