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The Aligned Hygienist

Caitlin Parsons, RDH, C-IAYT, CEAS

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The Aligned Hygienist is for busy dental professionals who want to learn new practices and tools to feel their best--body, mind, and energy. I'm on a mission to help dental professionals practice and live pain-free. In this podcast, we talk about all things posture & ergonomics, stress management, yoga & movement as therapy, improving our energy and focus, and becoming better leaders--together. I speak with key opinion leaders, experts, brands, people, and companies that are doing and talkin ...
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In this episode, I dive into the importance of stress management for dental professionals. I share one of the most powerful tools for managing stress--your breath. I discuss how the breath and how you breathe affect your nervous system and, in turn, your stress response. In this episode, I share AND explore Box Breathing with you, an easy breathing…
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In this episode, I delve into one of the most accessible and cost-effective methods to enhance your ergonomics. By utilizing photos and videos, you can revolutionize your posture and ergonomics, gaining a deeper understanding of your habits and posture. This episode shares various ways to use photography to master your ergonomics, alleviate pain, a…
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In episode 110, host Jon Wood speaks with Jennifer Behlmann about mentoring in Sterile Processing. Behlman discusses the importance of passing on knowledge and experience to others through a deliberate process of “intentional mentorship.” She also shares details about her own mentorship journey both inside and outside the Sterile Processing departm…
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In episode 109, host Jon Wood speaks with Malinda Elammari, Clinical Education Specialist at Healthmark Industries, a Getinge company, about unexpected data on packaging in the SPD. Elammari reviews packaging types and levels as well as confusion and misconceptions that can be found. Earn CE NowBy Healthcare Sterile Processing Association
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In episode 108, host Jon Wood speaks with Julie Morrill and Karen Raposa, regional managers at HuFriedyGroup, aChicago-based dental supply and equipment company. Morrill and Raposa sink their teeth into infection prevention compliance associated with dental instruments. They also discuss common challenges when processing tiny, delicate dental instr…
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In episode 107, host Jon Wood speaks with Hannah Schroeder, Clinical Education Specialist at Pure Processing. Schroeder provides her recommendations and rationalizations for record keeping, time stamping, organization, and foot-traffic flow to contribute to the success of the Sterile Processing department (SPD). Benefits of SPD ergonomic initiative…
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In this episode, you'll hear: The definition of burnout, how it shows up, and what you need to know as a dental professional The difference between chronic stress and burnout Tangible tools and practices to support stress and beat burnout Introducing... The Align Retreat! Calling all Women in Dentistry--Are you ready to get away? (Details below) Th…
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In episode 106, host Jon Wood speaks with Kimberly Ames, the Global Programatic Lead Recruiter and U.S. Recruitment Manager at Mercy Ships, about the importance of the Mercy Ships mission, what it takes to volunteer, and the steps necessary to go from application to serving. Also featured on this podcast is Brenda Esparza, the HSPA Foundation’s fir…
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In episode 105, host Jon Wood speaks with Ann Hewitt and Bob Straub from CENORIN about the critical importance of drying instruments prior to sterilization. More specifically, they discuss how moisture present on devices prior to undergoing steam sterilization or low-temperature sterilization can negatively affect the processes and potentially resu…
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In this episode, you'll hear: What ergonomics is and what you need to pay attention to Common risk factors for pain and MSDs in dentistry, and how to reduce your risk Practical tips and ideas for better ergonomics and overall well-being Your personal invitation to HygieneWell RESOURCES: For hygienists who are interested in HygieneWell, learn more h…
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Welcome back to another season of The Aligned Hygienist Podcast! Caitlin returns for Season 2 by sharing where she's been, her recent move, and why she took a long break from the podcast. Caitlin weaves her personal story with lessons she's learned along the way that serve as reminders for us as we navigate life's ups and downs. Disclaimer: This ep…
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Are you struggling with your ergonomics and posture, or experiencing pain? You'll want to tune into this episode, where Caitlin dives deep into 5 no-no moves when it comes to your ergonomics. This episode is applicable to both dental clinicians and desk workers. Get ready to be inspired to take action on your ergonomics this week at work! In this e…
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In episode 104, host Jon Wood speaks with HSPA Clinical Educator Sue Klacik about several key AAMI standards and technical information reports (TIRs) that affect Sterile Processing. Specifically, she provides updates about ANSI/AAMI ST108, Water for the processing of medical devices, AAMI TIR99 Dilator and ultrasound probes processing in health car…
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Welcome back to another episode on The Aligned Hygienist Podcast. In this episode, I chat with Kimberly Augustus on hygiene growth and career coaching. We talk about: - The gap between what you learn in school & real-world dentistry - Why getting support is helping - How you can continue to grow in your career - Surrounding yourself with the right …
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On this episode of The Aligned Hygienist podcast, I talk with the amazing Michelle Strange, RDH. Today's podcast talks about infection control and the importance of understanding infection prevention and incorporating it into offices with a safe team culture to protect ourselves and our patients. About Michelle: Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, has mor…
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Welcome to the first Wellness Wednesday! On this episode, Caitlin talks about hand and wrist pain for dental professionals. Whether you have hand/wrist pain, discomfort, and tension, or you want to prevent pain, you don't want to miss this episode. Caitlin reviews tools, resources, ergonomic tips, and products to help protect your most valuable ass…
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On this episode, Britt and I talk about the hygienist shortage including stress, burnout, and other challenges hygienists face. We discuss the importance of continuing education and immersing yourself in a community of dental professionals to continue to learn, grow, and keep your passion for dentistry ignited. Britt Glauz is a California-based den…
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In this episode, I talk with Kaitlyn Melody about all things practitioner self-care, ergonomic loupes, and building a community of dental support for your journey. Guest Bio: Kaitlyn Melody is a Registered Dental hygienist, Sales Rep for LumaDent, and has a strong interest in ergonomics. She's a back up plan fanatic, has a passion for helping other…
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On this episode, I talk with Cindy Purdy about all things ergonomics, including awareness, creating change, signs vs symptoms of disease, practical things we can do to alleviate or prevent pain, and the Thrive! Ergonomic and Wellness Summit. Cindy Purdy is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist (CEAS) who specia…
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In this episode, I talk with Cori Jameson-Kuehl of Custom Dental Solutions about all things emotional intelligence, personal growth, and personality tests for team growth. Guest Bio: Corinne Jameson-Kuehl, RDH, BS has been involved in the business of dentistry for over 20 years. She is an experienced dental business owner with background experience…
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In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist podcast, I chat with Joffree Bunleang, a hygienist and hygiene consultant. We discuss challenges, tips, and insights for hygienists and offices to create better systems, protocols, and team culture. In this episode, we discuss: Joffree’s journey as a hygienist to becoming a hygiene consultant The challenges …
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Welcome to another episode of The Aligned Hygienist Podcast! This week I chat with Elaine Rodriguez, owner & founder of Dental Laser Integrations and HygieneIntrapreneur. We talk about what it means to be a high-performing hygienist and how to continuously thrive and grow in the dental industry. In this episode we discuss: - What the hygiene intrap…
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On this weeks Wellness Wednesday episode, Caitlin breaks down basic ergonomics tips and recommendations for those that are new on the ergonomics journey or want to return to the basics as a reminder! Links to Share: To join The Aligned Hygienist 12-week group coaching program for RDHs, click here: https://thealignedhygienist.com/hygienists/ If you'…
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On this episode of the podcast, Caitlin talks with Dr. Laura Schwindt and Dr. Karen Tindall of The Mint Door. We talk about values, carrying extra weight around in the world, taking care of ourselves, and well-being as it relates to the whole-person and whole-practice success. Dr. Karen Tindall and Dr. Laura Schwindt combine their love of people, t…
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On this episode of The Aligned Hygienist, Caitlin talks with Susan Cotten about all things oral cancer screenings for dental professionals and dental teams. Susan is an educator, speaker, writer, and consultant, and the founder of The Cotten Method; an OCS method for dental practitioners. In this episode, she shares the WHY + the HOW behind screeni…
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Interested in learning more about ergonomic instruments or how to create better efficiency systems in your office? This episode is for you! I got to chat with Brittany Gray, a CDA of 23 years, turned Product and Efficiency Consultant with Zirc Dental. Ready to Marie Condo Your Office? We discuss the importance of creating systems in the op with the…
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Welcome back to another Wellness Wednesday on The Aligned Hygienist Podcast. In this short episode, Caitlin talks about loupes: to loupe or not to loupe? Caitlin breaks down the difference between traditional loupes and ergonomic loupes, the pros/cons, and why you should consider checking out ergonomic loupes when you're ready—they're a game-change…
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On this episode of The Aligned Hygienist podcast, Caitlin has Astrida Curtis back on the podcast to talk about how new hygienist graduates (students + RDHs) can navigate the transition through interviewing, temping, resume building, conquering the hour appointment, ergonomics, and more. Every student RDH and new RDH grad must listen! Astrida Curtis…
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On this episode of The Aligned Hygienist podcast, I talk with Chloe Rowsome, a dental hygienist and mindset coach for millennial women. We talk about how self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-care can play a powerful role in becoming a better clinician, leader, and version of yourself. How do you know if you're in alignment? Tune in to this wee…
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On this episode of The Aligned Hygienist podcast, Caitlin chats with Kevin Lopez. Kevin is a newly graduated RDH who's passionate about uplifting patient care and the dental industry. We talk about navigating the dental world as a new grad, best tips and practices for providing the standard of care & finding employment, and we finish by talking abo…
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Caitlin talks with Dr. Karen-Ann Gordon, RDH, and a chiropractic physician. We talk about all things TMD. Karen-Ann shares her whole-body perspective approach to help ourselves, our families, and our patients overcome TMD. Our whole body is connected; learn how you can relieve TMD symptoms by getting to the root cause of the issue. Learn more, do b…
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On this week's episode, Caitlin talks with Tiffany Cavazos, a dental hygienist and founder of The Hygienepreneur. Caitlin and Tiffany talk about creating a thriving hygiene practice, and truly embodying the triple win: patient, hygienist, and dentist/office. Learn new tools and get empowered on this episode of The Aligned Hygienist with Tiffany! Ti…
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Welcome Melissa Obrotka to the show today. On this episode, we talk about the health of dental hygiene, and what it means to embrace being a Healthcare Hygienist. Melissa shares her story of working in the dental industry for over 25 years, and we talk about minimally invasive therapies, and specifically, Guided Biofilm Therapy, or GBT, by EMS. Mel…
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Ever feel like you're struggling alone? This is a special episode with Bethany Montoya you won't want to miss. We talk about the importance of mental health, being human and taking care of yourself in dentistry. Bethany's journey as a hygienist, working in a sleep medicine practice, her passion for writing in dentistry, and the importance of growin…
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I had so much fun chatting with Lynda Sherman on this week's episode. In this episode, we talk about environmentally friendly dental products for our patients, and how, as dental professionals, we can make really simple changes in our day-to-day product usage to reduce our waste in the office. Lynda's passionate about reducing waste and our intake …
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In episode 103, host Jon Wood speaks with Marcy Duffy, Intuitive’s Genesis Reprocessing Product Manager, about robotics in reprocessing. She identifies critical factors to consider when planning a robotics service line, including workflow and layout, assessment of current equipment, understanding how a robotics program fits into current operations,…
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In our 102nd episode, host Jon Wood speaks with fitness trainer and nutrition coach, Brenda Edwards, about physical, emotional and mental health. Specifically, she shares her recommendations for mobility activities to address the physical demands within the Sterile Processing department. Click the link to see Brenda’s SP workout! https://cghustle.z…
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In our 101st episode, host Jon Wood reviews the most recent articles found in HSPA’s PROCESS magazine related to water quality. Specifically, he explores the article, “A Leader’s Guide to Understanding and Following ST108,” authored by Marie Brewer, and key aspects of “Guarding the Gateway: Ensuring Water-Related Safety and Quality in Sterile Proce…
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In our 100th episode, host Jon Wood revisits 10 must-hear segments from a variety of HSPA interviews conducted in 2023. Some of these discussions include surgical instruments and IFU, a PPE "arsenal" found at a VA hospital, and English as a second language in Sterile Processing. These conversations and more are discussed in this, one-hour special p…
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In episode 99, host Jon Wood speaks with Sue Klacik and Terra Kremer about how time, temperature and humidity affect soil drying on medical devices. They also address challenges associated with weather conditions and the transporting of soiled instruments to Sterile Processing areas.Earn CE NowBy Healthcare Sterile Processing Association
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In episode 98, host Jon Wood speaks with HSPA President, Monique Jelks, about her journey into Sterile Processing (SP), her passion for problem solving, process improvement and supporting fellow SP professionals—and how they helped lead her to become President of the HSPA Board of Directors. Earn CE Now…
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In episode 97, host Jon Wood speaks with AORN's Senior Perioperative Practice Specialist, Amber Wood, about the AORN guidelines writing process and the documents’ relevance to Sterile Processing (SP) practices. Amber also addresses how others can become involved in the AORN guideline-writing process.Earn CE Now…
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In episode 96, host Jon Wood speaks with HSPA Clinical Educator, Sue Klacik, who has served on the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation’s (AAMI’s) standard committees for many years. She shares her unique insights about the importance of AAMI standards and their critical roles in ensuring best practices and appropriate process…
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In episode 95, host Jon Wood discusses pasteurization and its role in Sterile Processing with HSPA’s guests, Richard Radford and Ann Hewitt of Cenorin. Radford and Hewitt discuss the history of thermal disinfection—and how the process that was originally applied to the food industry has been adopted by the healthcare industry. Specifically, they di…
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In episode 93, host Jon Wood follows-up on Process This! episode 92 where he discussed borescopes with Andrew Sundet, Sales and Marketing Manager at Clarus Medical. Joining Wood and Sundet for this episode is Ehren Arndt, Head of Customer Success and Partner Solutions who shares an exceptional step forward in the usage of borescopes—the assistance …
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In episode 92, host Jon Wood discusses borescopes with Andrew Sundet, Sales and Marketing Manager at Clarus Medical. Sundet has a passion for borescopes and their use in the healthcare setting. He details the necessary set-up and inspection processes as well as the frequency that borescope inspections should be performed, how the processes should b…
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In episode 91, host Jon Wood speaks with Marie Brewer to discuss her role in the decontamination splash study performed at her facility with Ofstead & Associates. The startling findings generated by the study reinforce the need for adequate personal protective equipment and the implementation of other controls to improve employee safety.Earn CE Now…
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