Tooth or Dare Podcast
Hold on to your suction, it’s about to get viscous. Irene, aka @Toothlife.Irene, on social media is the first (and only) Canadian Restorative Dental Hygienist with a podcast. Sharing her story surrounding her career, practice ownership, social media and, of course, dental-related content. On Tooth or Dare, she gives mic-dropping solutions to your dental questions and problems as a dental professional. With guests like top hygienists, dentists, researchers, product developers and more, this show has something for everyone interested in oral health and personal and professional development. Peeps say the content is entertaining and educational, packaged with actionable items. a Molar of the story, this is the podcast for you if you want to feel like you’re part of a conversation from the comfort of your own... well, wherever the heck you’re listening. Peace out, peeps, catch you on the flip side.
Episodes
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 wa...
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 “y...
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...
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 i...
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
What’s Really Happ...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 o...
Your girl Irene sits down with Britt Glauz, better known online as @brushwithbritt, to talk all things content creation, dental hygiene advocacy, and what it’s really like to step into (and stay in) the spotlight. Britt shares her journey from clinical practice to becoming an influential voice in the dental community, how she balances patient care with online work, and the lessons she’s learned from both praise and criticism.
She a...
Bachelor of Dental Hygiene Recap with Irene & Vic as Madam Vic has new credentials, but what will Irene do now that their plan to graduate together was crushed?
Vic graduated from the Honours Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Completion program from George Brown College (yes, the same one Irene was denied admission to, despite a lengthy appeal process.)
We chat all about her journey, course load and length.
If y...
WAIT... AM I GOING BLIND?
"Irene, If things continue, you'll have vision loss."
"I thought I was here to get a cleaning... I mean, new glasses!"
After a routine eye exam, I left with more than just a new prescription; I walked out with a moment of clarity and panic.
While I was distracted wondering how much...
Dear Dental Hygienists,
Respectfully, if you're scaling alone during your SRP, you likely could be doing it better...
In this episode, Irene and Vic go 5-7mm deep into the Perio Rabbit Hole, sharing the why behind a standardized SRP protocol and how shifting your mindset can improve both clinical consistency and patient care.
Have you ever found yourself hesitating during a treatment recommendation, wondering if insurance, patient ...
Xylitol does it all—at least when it comes to fighting cavity-causing bacteria! In Part 2 of Irene’s chat with Epic Dental’s Donald and Monica Bailey, they dive into the science of how xylitol targets Streptococcus mutans while sparing good bacteria. The Baileys also discuss their commitment to education, product transparency, and making it easier for dental pros to help patients maintain oral health.
Can gum and mints really help with cavities? Science says yes, if they contain xylitol like the ones from Epic Dental!
Joining Irene this week on the podcast are Donald and Monica Bailey, the husband and wife team behind the business. In Part 1 of this interview, hear the story of how Donald started the company, how he met Monica when she was using a competing product, and the amazing synergy that happened when they put their talen...
In this episode of Op Talk, Irene and Vic discuss Scaling and Root Planning (SRPs) and how to effectively monitor periodontal disease progression in patients.
This complex condition can be challenging to manage, but having a clear clinical protocol helps simplify treatment planning and patient education.
We explore key questions, such as:
- When is periodontitis considered stable or in remission?
- What clinical and behavioural fa...
Well, I didn't see this one coming...
In this deeply personal episode, I share the whole story behind my recent academic appeal to George Brown College after being declined admission to the S305 Honours Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Completion program in October 2024. The original reasoning was that 21-year-old Irene went to the "wrong" school 17 years ago. One that didn't prepare 39-year-old Irene for the academic j...
"I have TMJ" - Yes, patient... you have two actually.
If you are a practising dental clinician, chances are you’ve encountered patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction - TMD.
In Part 2 of this interview, Irene discusses this tricky disorder with Dr. Tony Urbanek, who specializes in its treatment using wearable custom-made devices.
- Why is it more prevalent in women than men?
- What makes it so controversial and diffi...
Meet Dr. Tony Urbanek, an oral-maxillofacial surgeon with a list of wild tales as long and varied as his accomplishments in the dental field.
- How do you find a surgical laser in 1978 Tennessee?
- What does a quarter of an airplane cost, and how much medical gear can you fit inside a whole one?
- How do you establish a medical clinic in Jamaica?
You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone with more life-changing experiences an...
Periodontal Probing and Billing deep dive in this episode.
Irene and Vic address probing - a non-invasive, deceptively simple yet fundamental tool for monitoring oral health.
- Does it matter whether it’s done by a dentist or hygienist?
- When is it time for a full-mouth probe, and how does it fit into a patient’s treatment plan?
- How appointments are billed in the United States compared to Canada and potential concerns.
"The more popular you are on social media, the fewer friends you have."
In this episode of the Tooth Order Podcast, Dr. Amanda Wilson returns to share insights on helping general dentists with clear aligner therapy and virtual consultations. From her journey in orthodontics to educating dentists on how to handle mild to moderate cases, Dr. Wilson discusses the benefits of clear aligner therapy, the use of digital tools, and the ...
"Well-behaved women seldom make history."
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Meet Dr. Amanda Wilson, a San Francisco native whose journey in dentistry has taken her from the heart of the Bay Area to the beautiful shores of Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Wilson earned her dental degree from UCSF Dental School and went on to achieve her Master of Dental Science and Orthodontics Certification at the University of Connecticut. With over a decade of clinica...
Dental Hygiene Scheduling: New Patients, Recalls & SRPs | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene
In this episode of Tooth Or Dare, Irene & Vic discuss one of the most frequently asked questions in clinical practice: How much time should be allocated for different types of dental hygiene appointments?
We break down: - Recommended timeframes for new patient exams, recare visits, and SRPs - Instrument lifespan and when r...
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