Is there statistical proof of a decline in dental hygienists in Canada? The answer isn’t as simple as social media headlines suggest.

In this episode of Tooth or Dare, Joe Siegfried and I unpack the current climate of dental hygiene in Canada and challenge the idea that fewer hygienists are entering the profession.

Graduation numbers and class sizes haven’t declined. What has changed is retention and migration.

🇨🇦 Canada has approximately 33,600 registered dental hygienists, yet distribution varies widely ▪️ Rural and remote communities continue to struggle with retention ▪️ About 9% of hygienists plan to leave the profession within 2 years, and 18% within 3–5 years ▪️ Temping is at an all-time high, reflecting burnout, flexibility needs, and shifting work preferences

As the profession evolves, traditional 9–5 practice models are being challenged. The workforce exists, but it’s moving differently than it used to. Joe brings important nuance to a topic that’s often oversimplified.

We also explore a deeper shift happening across dentistry: how clinicians define value.

Value in dental hygiene isn’t always about money or production. And practice isn’t limited to the box you work in.

Joe and I discuss how value shows up through discussion, treatment planning, culture, ideas, flexibility, autonomy, respect, growth, and alignment, not just a few extra dollars of production. When the definition of value shifts, so does how, where, and why people choose to practice.

This episode continues from our previous conversation about Joe’s personal journey and expands into the broader challenges facing dental hygienists today.

▪️ The dental hygienist “shortage” debate and uneven workforce distribution ▪️ Pay models, cost-of-living pressures, and compensation realities ▪️ Temping, scheduling flexibility, and changing career expectations ▪️ Union conversations and lessons from other professions ▪️ Education pathways, incentives, and workforce planning ▪️ Why protecting patient care must always come first

Connect with Joe:

Instagram → @joesiegfried_rdh

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What happens when you choose authenticity, even when it feels risky?

In this episode of Tooth or Dare, Joe Siegfried opens up about his life beyond the dental chair. From growing up in rural Ontario and pursuing acting, to becoming a father, coming out during dental hygiene school, and building a supportive blended family, Joe shares the personal experiences that shaped who he is today.

This conversation explores identity, acceptance, and the courage it takes to live authentically, especially within a professional setting. Joe reflects on how personal transformation doesn’t happen in isolation and how support systems, inclusion, and self-honesty can redefine both happiness and success in dentistry.

In this episode, we talk about: ▪️ Growing up in rural Ontario and early creative ambitions ▪️ Pursuing acting before dentistry ▪️ Coming out while in dental hygiene school ▪️ Fatherhood, co-parenting, and blended family life ▪️ Support systems, inclusion, and LGBTQ+ representation in dentistry ▪️ How living authentically can reshape both personal and professional paths

Connect with Joe: Instagram → @joesiegfried_rdh

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If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment.

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

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This episode is dedicated to all dental professionals who have ever discovered expired materials hiding at the back of a drawer, couldn’t find what they needed mid-procedure, or found themselves buying supplies from the dollar store with no real system, strategy, or purpose.

My office had just celebrated its 4th birthday when I discovered a bag of materials that were already two years expired. That was my wake-up call.

I knew it was time to make a change...so we overhauled Toothlife Studio using Zirc’s proven Color Method, and I haven’t looked back. If you’re looking to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and bring clarity to your clinical systems, you won’t want to miss this episode.

Here’s what we discuss that has literally changed for the better:

🔵 Mismatched bins and organizers replaced with colour-coded cassettes, trays, and tubs by procedure 🔵 Instruments and materials grouped and easily identified by assigned procedure colour 🔵 Increased team efficiency with quicker setup and room turnover 🔵 Reduced waste and lower supply expenses 🔵 Smoother onboarding for temps and new hires

Want a sample tub in the colour of your choice?

👉 GET YOUR TRIAL TUB HERE ⏩ https://tr.ee/Zirc-Tub-Trial-Kit ⏪

✌🏻 This episode is sponsored by Zirc Dental Products.

Follow @toothlife.irene and check the top 3 pinned posts to access the download and leave your questions in the comments. We’ll be answering them in upcoming episodes!

If you made it all the way down here—hit like and leave a comment. Until next time, peace out peeps! ✌️

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In this episode, Caitlin Parsons talks about her journey through dental hygiene, the pain she experienced early in her career, and how stepping away from the operatory led her to study yoga therapy. She shares what it was like to return to clinical practice after three years, the parts of hygiene she missed, and the challenges she didn’t.

We also discuss how yoga therapy works using breath, movement, and awareness and how simple “yoga snacks” throughout the day can help prevent stress and pain. Caitlin explains the misconceptions many people have about yoga, why small consistent habits matter, and the importance of showing up for patients while also taking care of yourself.

In this episode, we talk about:

▪️ The car accident that sparked Caitlin’s interest in health and shaped her early career

▪️ The pain and injuries she faced in her first years as a hygienist

▪️ Misconceptions about yoga and how anyone can benefit from it

▪️ Leaving hygiene and returning three years later with a new perspective

▪️ Simple routines like short yoga practices, hydration, and small adjustments that fit into a busy day

If you’ve ever wondered how to make a career in hygiene more sustainable, Caitlin’s story offers both honesty and practical ideas you can start using right away.

Connect with Caitlin:

Instagram → @thealignedhygienist

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If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment.

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

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We all know Bethany Montoya as HumanRDH on social media. Advocate for all that is right and fair in the world of dental hygiene. She holds no prisoners when it comes to her quick responses and realtalk vibes. Today, I get to sit down with her IRL and learn more about the journey that inspired her to advocate so loudly. She talks about how she found her way into dental hygiene, the challenges she faced during school, and the reality of balancing her education with everyday life. She shares honest thoughts on pay, benefits, and the culture inside dental practices, along with how mentorship and saying “yes” to opportunities shaped her career.

We chat about:

▪️ Her view of patient care has grown, and the lessons she’s carried with her along the way.

▪️ The twists and challenges that shaped Bethany’s path into dental hygiene.

▪️ How she managed the balance between school, work, and personal life.

▪️ Real conversations about pay, benefits, and the culture inside dental practices.

▪️ The value of mentors and what can happen when you say “yes” to new opportunities.

▪️ How her outlook on how professional growth has changed over time.

If you’re curious about what it takes to build a meaningful career in dental hygiene or just need some encouragement to keep pushing forward this conversation is full of stories and insights worth hearing.

Connect with Bethany:

Instagram → @humanrdh

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If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment.

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

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Should we be using probiotics with all patients? Perhaps they are the new secret weapon for improving clinical outcomes and preventing disease.

Let’s face it, many patients consider cost above all else when presented with perio treatment options. This is especially challenging when dental insurance does not cover what are considered adjunctive therapies, even though studies show that a combination of treatments is more effective in the long run. (link to study?)

In this episode, Irene and Vic discuss the valuable role of probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, in the perio treatment plan. Microscopic problems require microscopic solutions! Get ready to learn:

• How to get patients to accept your treatment plan
• Why dental coverage is getting worse (and how to get around this)
• What the new standard should be for SRP appointments
• The many benefits of oral probiotics and different methods of delivery
• How to integrate them into your perio workflow

Download the perio resource which is completely customizable to fit your practice:

Toothlife🔖 Downloadable Resources 🔖https://www.toothlife.ca/collections/%F0%9F%94%96-downloadable-resources-%F0%9F%94%96

📲 Questions or Episode Topic Requests?

@toothlife.irene — Check the top 3 pinned posts to access the download and leave your questions in the comments.

We'll be answering them in upcoming episodes!

If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment.

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

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If you’ve ever seen a $99 dental cleaning deal and wondered if it’s worth it, you’ll want to hear this story, including:

▪️ How $99 dental promotions can mislead and limit patient access ▪️ Why these deals may not be as good as they sound ▪️ How patient trust is affected by unclear pricing ▪️ Stories from people who felt let down by the experience ▪️ The bigger impact discount dentistry has on the profession

Some dental offices advertise low-fee cleanings to attract patients, especially those without insurance. But when you call to book, the information often changes. What sounds legal on paper can cross the line when the details aren’t disclosed up front.

The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) requires that all advertising and promotions be:

• Accurate and Verifiable: Fees, services, and any conditions must be truthful and backed by facts.

• Transparent on Limitations: Any restrictions—such as “new patients only,” extra fees for exams/X-rays, or limited-time offers—must be clearly stated in the ad itself, not revealed only after a patient calls.

• Non-Misleading for the Uninsured: Promotions targeting patients without insurance cannot imply that essential care will be fully covered if additional treatment is required.

From what I've read, many patients have left negative reviews after feeling bait-and-switched, and there are repeated reports of high staff turnover in these offices, with employees leaving reviews under alias names. This is another warning sign that the culture behind the marketing may be just as shaky as the promotion itself.

If you care about honesty in healthcare and want to know what really happens behind bargain-basement dental ads, this episode is worth your time. Perhaps motivation for those to stop subscribing to marketing like this, and I hope it finds the right ears better to regulate this shady form of marketing in dentistry once and for all—especially for those of us doing it cleanly.

If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment. Until next time, peace out peeps! ✌️

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How do you determine if someone truly has bacterial-induced bone loss? When a patient presents with bone loss, periodontal disease is one of the most common causes, but not always. What else could it be?

In this episode, we discuss various factors contributing to bone loss and recession, with malocclusion being a significant one.

We discuss:

• How a slight vertical defect can lead to deterioration of bone.
• What is traumatic occlusion, and how is it identified?
• How old restorations contribute to occlusal issues
• What to look for before jumping straight to perio as the cause

Our friends at Designs for Vision brought this episode to you.

Designs for Vision is providing a 45-day trial of their loupes to our listeners! No strings attached. If you don't love the loupes, simply send them back for a refund.

To learn more, visit

https://www.designsforvision.com/DentHtml/D-InfinityGA.htm

📲 Questions or Episode Topic Requests?

@toothlife.irene — Check the top 3 pinned posts to access the download and leave your questions in the comments.

We'll be answering them in upcoming episodes!

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

_______________________________________

📦 Amazon Store with my FAV things:

https://www.amazon.ca/shop/toothlife.irene?listId=YLX0271390I3

Follow on Social Media:

_______________________________________

💁🏼‍♀️Personal Instagram @Toothlife.Irene

https://www.instagram.com/toothlife.irene

Personal Instagram: @victoriaarmaly_

https://www.instagram.com/victoriaarmaly_

🙋🏼‍♀️Facebook Irene Iancu

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💃🏼TikTok @Toothlife.Irene

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🛒Online Store and Instagram @Toothlife

https://www.instagram.com/toothlife

🥼Office Instagram @ToothlifeStudio

https://www.instagram.com/ToothlifeStudio

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🎤Podcast @ToothorDare.Podcast

https://www.instagram.com/ToothorDare.Podcast

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🔗🌲Cool links in my Linktree

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