The theunhingedhygienists’s Podcast

🎙️ EPISODE 9: THE MOUTH IS THE MESSENGER
What if your bleeding gums, bad breath, cavities, fatigue, headaches, snoring, or even your child's bedwetting weren't random?
What if your mouth was actually trying to tell you something?
In this episode of The Unhinged Hygienists, we're diving into one of our favorite topics—the oral-systemic connection. We discuss how signs in the mouth can reveal deeper issues involving airway health, sleep-disordered breathing, nutrition, gut health, chronic inflammation, stress, and nervous system dysregulation.
Because your mouth isn't separate from your body.
It's the messenger.
🦷 In this episode:• Why bleeding gums are never normal• Why snoring isn't cute or harmless• Airway health and sleep quality• The connection between oral health and gut health• Nutrition, inflammation, and cavities• Stress, cortisol, and your oral microbiome• Why healthcare providers need to collaborate more
If your hygienist is asking about your sleep, your diet, your digestion, or your stress levels… now you know why.
📩 Want to be a guest on the podcast?theunhingedhygienists@gmail.com
⭐ Follow, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear this conversation.
#TheUnhingedHygienists #OralSystemicHealth #AirwayHealth #WholeBodyHealth #DentalPodcast

🎙️ Episode 8: Skip the Scrape? Challenging the Status Quo with Joy Davis, RDH
What if one of the most important things a dental hygienist can do is stay curious?
In this episode of The Unhinged Hygienists, we sit down with Joy Davis, RDH, educator, airway advocate, biofilm enthusiast, and founder of Skip the Scrape. Together, we challenge some of dentistry's most common assumptions and explore what happens when hygienists stop accepting "that's how we've always done it" as the answer.
From air polishing and Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) to airway health, thyroid screenings, burnout, Medicaid dentistry, and the myth of the six-month recall, this conversation is packed with practical insights and plenty of unhinged moments.
Joy shares her journey from working in public health and Medicaid dentistry to becoming an educator who trains dental teams across the country. We discuss how curiosity can transform patient care, why hygienists should feel empowered to identify concerns beyond the teeth, and how embracing new evidence can help prevent burnout while improving outcomes.
In this episode, we discuss:
🦷 Air polishing and biofilm management
🦷 Why six-month recalls aren't one-size-fits-all
🦷 Airway health and sleep-disordered breathing
🦷 Thyroid screenings and oral-systemic health
🦷 Burnout in dental hygiene
🦷 Expanded scope of practice
🦷 Evidence-based dentistry
🦷 Patient-centered care
🦷 The importance of staying curious
One of our favorite takeaways:
✨ "Be curious, not judgmental."
IG Joydavisrdh
Skipthescrape.com
Whether you're a hygienist, dentist, healthcare provider, or someone passionate about preventive health, this episode will leave you questioning old assumptions and thinking differently about patient care.
🎧 Follow, subscribe, and share with a fellow hygienist who is ready to challenge the status quo.
#TheUnhingedHygienists #JoyDavisRDH #SkipTheScrape #DentalHygiene #HealthcareHygienist #AirwayHealth #GBT #BiofilmManagement #OralSystemicHealth #DentalPodcast

Episode 7: Imposter Syndrome, Trauma Responses & Why We Started Talking Anyway
You've got the degree.The license.The experience.
So why do you still feel like you're not enough?
In this deeply personal episode, Tasia and Lauren discuss imposter syndrome, trauma responses, comparison, people pleasing, perfectionism, nervous system dysregulation, and the hidden self-doubt that follows many healthcare providers throughout their careers.
Tasia shares how childhood experiences shaped her confidence and how overwhelm can impact her mentally and physically. Lauren talks about building confidence through action, embracing discomfort, and why waiting until you're "ready" is often the thing keeping you stuck.
This conversation isn't about having all the answers.
It's about being honest about the journey.
In This Episode:
• Imposter syndrome in healthcare• Childhood trauma and confidence• Nervous system regulation• Comparison and self-doubt• People pleasing and perfectionism• Public speaking fears• Building confidence through action• Personal growth and healing
If you've ever felt like you weren't qualified enough, smart enough, or ready enough, this episode is for you.
🎧 Follow, subscribe, and share with a fellow healthcare provider who needs this conversation.
Because confidence isn't the prerequisite. It's the result. 💥

🎙️ EPISODE 6: From Free Scrubs to Functional Medicine with Amanda Hale
What starts as a quest for free scrubs can sometimes turn into a complete career transformation.
This week on The Unhinged Hygienists, we sit down with Amanda Hale, better known as The Curvy Scaler—a dental hygienist, educator, biological dentistry advocate, functional medicine enthusiast, podcast host, and future MBA student.
Amanda shares her incredible journey from clinical hygiene to becoming a respected voice in oral-systemic health and whole-body wellness. We dive into the power of continuing education, finding your passion, and why some of the biggest opportunities in life happen when you're willing to step outside your comfort zone.
We also get into:🦷 Biological dentistry and what it really means🦷 Functional medicine and root-cause healthcare🦷 Gut health, inflammation, and chronic disease🦷 Sleep, healing, and overall wellness🦷 Entrepreneurship and career growth for hygienists🦷 Imposter syndrome and finding confidence🦷 Why prevention should be the future of healthcare
Amanda also shares her personal health journey, including losing 80 pounds through lifestyle changes, functional medicine, and a completely different approach to wellness.
Whether you're a hygienist feeling stuck, a healthcare provider looking to expand your perspective, or someone searching for answers beyond symptom management, this episode will challenge you to think differently about health, healing, and what's possible.
Because at The Unhinged Hygienists, we believe there is a body attached to every mouth—and healthcare starts by connecting the dots.
Connect with Amanda:📲 Instagram: @thecurvyscaler🎙️ Functional Roots Podcast
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, subscribe, and share it with a fellow healthcare provider who needs to hear this conversation.

EPISODE 5 IS LIVE 🎙️🦷“What We Actually Do With Our Patients (That Most Offices Don’t)”
Spoiler alert: dental hygienists do NOT “just clean teeth.” 😵‍💫
In this episode, we’re exposing what actually happens during an appointment with a whole-body, airway-focused hygienist — from screening for gum disease and oral cancer to recognizing signs of sleep-disordered breathing, clenching, mouth breathing, dry mouth, nutritional deficiencies, and systemic inflammation.
We’re talking about:✨ Airway & sleep health✨ Mouth breathing & tongue posture✨ Gum disease explained✨ Oral-systemic health connections✨ Why “just a cleaning” is outdated✨ Patient education without shame✨ Why hygienists are WAY more than tooth cleaners
If you’ve ever been told:🫠 “Your gums just bleed sometimes”🫠 “You just need a cleaning”🫠 “Grinding is normal”…this episode is for you.
We’re funny, slightly unhinged, and deeply passionate about changing the way people view dentistry and preventive healthcare.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts & all streaming platforms.
💬 Have you ever had a hygienist actually explain the WHY behind your oral health issues?
#TheUnhingedHygienists #DentalPodcast #DentalHygienist #RDH #OralSystemicHealth #AirwayDentistry #HolisticDentistry #DentalHygiene #SleepApneaAwareness #MouthBreathing #AirwayHealth #PreventiveHealthcare #GumDisease #PeriodontalDisease #OralHealth #HealthcarePodcast #WomenInHealthcare #DentalEducation #BiologicalDentistry #FunctionalHealth #DentalLife #HealthcareHumor #DentalHumor #SleepHealth #WholeBodyHealth #DentalProfessionals #PodcastForWomen #MedicalPodcast #WellnessPodcast #HealthcareWorkers

🎙️ EPISODE 4: Why Are Dental Hygienists So Undervalued? 🦷🔥
We’re saying the quiet part out loud in this episode.Dental hygienists are expected to do everything — educate, prevent disease, manage anxiety, catch health concerns, wear 47 different hats… and somehow still be treated like “just the cleaner.” 😵‍💫
In this episode, we get real about:✨ Burnout in hygiene✨ The emotional and physical demands of the job✨ Being overlooked in healthcare✨ Production pressure + unrealistic expectations✨ Why hygienists deserve WAY more respect, support, and compensation
This conversation is honest, unfiltered, funny, and probably way too relatable if you work in dentistry. 😅
Whether you’re a hygienist, assistant, dentist, healthcare worker, or patient — this episode might change the way you see the profession.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube & all streaming platforms.💬 Comment your thoughts: Do you think dental hygienists are undervalued?
#TheUnhingedHygienists #DentalHygienist #DentalPodcast #RDH #DentalLife #HealthcareBurnout #WomenInHealthcare #OralHealth #DentalProfession #HygieneLife #DentalHumor #PodcastEpisode #HealthcareWorkers #UnfilteredConversations
 
 
 

In this personal episode of The Unhinged Hygienists Podcast, Lauren Kennedy shares the winding path that led her from psychology student and flight attendant to dental hygienist, myofunctional therapist, and founder of The Myo Coach.
 
Lauren opens up about the life experiences that shaped her passion for airway health, breathing, sleep, and root-cause wellness—including mentorship, family illness, burnout, and ultimately discovering myofunctional therapy.
 
This episode is funny, heartfelt, and deeply honest. If you’re a dental professional, healthcare provider, or someone interested in holistic health, airway dentistry, and myofunctional therapy, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I open up my personal journey-from my roots to where I am today.  I hope that as I peel back layers of my story, it resonates with someone who needs it. If sharing my experience with mental health, chronic illness and finding my voice can help even one person feel less alone or take a step toward feeling better, finding their purpose and becoming empowered than its so worth it.
 
 

We’re not your typical dental podcast. The Unhinged Hygienists break down the truth about dentistry, systemic health, and what’s really going on behind the scenes—mixing clinical insight with real-life stories, healing journeys, and unfiltered conversations.