1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,480 Hi everyone. This is Lucas Voss with Becker's 2 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:04,240 Healthcare. Thanks so much for tuning in to 3 00:00:04,240 --> 00:00:06,580 the Becker's Healthcare podcast series. Fantastic 4 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:10,080 to have you. Very excited to be joined 5 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:13,359 by Samantha Farrar, clinical integration specialist, dental care 6 00:00:13,359 --> 00:00:17,105 alliance, and Becky Cadoux, divisional hygiene advisor, also 7 00:00:17,105 --> 00:00:18,785 with the dental care alliance. We have some 8 00:00:18,785 --> 00:00:21,024 great stuff to talk about today. Samantha and 9 00:00:21,024 --> 00:00:22,464 Becky, thanks so much for being here today. 10 00:00:22,464 --> 00:00:24,464 It's great to have you. Thank you. We're 11 00:00:24,464 --> 00:00:27,125 good. Yes. I wanna start off with introductions 12 00:00:27,185 --> 00:00:28,704 here. Samantha, why don't we kick it off 13 00:00:28,704 --> 00:00:30,945 with you? Could you just introduce yourself, for 14 00:00:30,945 --> 00:00:32,280 our audience and share a bit your what 15 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:33,579 we work in health care? 16 00:00:34,119 --> 00:00:36,920 Yes. So I'm Samantha Farrar. I hold a 17 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:39,399 bachelor's degree in dental hygiene, a master's in 18 00:00:39,399 --> 00:00:41,579 public health, and a doctorate in health sciences. 19 00:00:42,359 --> 00:00:44,039 I've actually known that I've wanted to be 20 00:00:44,039 --> 00:00:45,559 in the dental field since I was about 21 00:00:45,559 --> 00:00:46,059 13. 22 00:00:46,865 --> 00:00:49,265 My career has taken me from dental assistant 23 00:00:49,265 --> 00:00:52,304 to hygienist to educator to researcher and board 24 00:00:52,304 --> 00:00:52,804 examiner, 25 00:00:53,265 --> 00:00:55,905 leading me to my current role as a 26 00:00:55,905 --> 00:00:58,804 clinical integration specialist here at DCA. 27 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:02,020 Over the past twenty plus years, I've combined 28 00:01:02,079 --> 00:01:05,219 my clinical expertise with my passion for mentoring 29 00:01:05,359 --> 00:01:06,180 and supporting 30 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:08,799 dental hygiene teams so that I can allow 31 00:01:08,799 --> 00:01:11,459 them to thrive both chairside and beyond. 32 00:01:12,234 --> 00:01:14,234 So great to have you. Becky, how about 33 00:01:14,234 --> 00:01:15,055 you go next? 34 00:01:15,515 --> 00:01:17,594 Hi. I'm Becky Kadoo. I've been leading the 35 00:01:17,594 --> 00:01:19,674 dental in in the dental hygiene world for 36 00:01:19,674 --> 00:01:22,634 over fifteen years. I started chairside as a 37 00:01:22,634 --> 00:01:25,114 clinician, and I'm now leading our wonderful dental 38 00:01:25,114 --> 00:01:27,375 hygiene teams for Dental Care Alliance. 39 00:01:27,790 --> 00:01:30,269 My career has taken me through multiple leadership 40 00:01:30,269 --> 00:01:33,149 roles where I've built scalable hygiene programs that 41 00:01:33,149 --> 00:01:35,310 have given the teams the tools and confidence 42 00:01:35,310 --> 00:01:37,149 to really thrive in their in their roles 43 00:01:37,149 --> 00:01:39,310 and throughout their careers. But, really, one of 44 00:01:39,310 --> 00:01:42,075 my biggest passions is mentorship and helping hygienists 45 00:01:42,215 --> 00:01:44,234 continue to grow throughout their careers. 46 00:01:45,174 --> 00:01:47,015 So great to have you both. Thanks again 47 00:01:47,015 --> 00:01:48,075 for taking the time. 48 00:01:48,375 --> 00:01:50,954 I wanna start off with a, a pretty 49 00:01:51,734 --> 00:01:54,614 impressive statistic that I thought was very, very 50 00:01:54,614 --> 00:01:55,114 interesting. 51 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:58,900 A recent ADA poll showed seventy five percent 52 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:02,319 of dentists nationwide. So consider that 75% 53 00:02:02,319 --> 00:02:06,400 say it's extremely challenging to recruit hygienists right 54 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:06,900 now. 55 00:02:07,439 --> 00:02:08,979 Thinking about this shortage, 56 00:02:09,605 --> 00:02:11,284 both of you have a great perspective on 57 00:02:11,284 --> 00:02:13,465 this, right, from a hygienist perspective. 58 00:02:14,085 --> 00:02:15,385 How is this impacting 59 00:02:16,245 --> 00:02:18,504 their day to day roles and responsibilities 60 00:02:18,965 --> 00:02:21,125 as we think about this shortage? Samantha, why 61 00:02:21,125 --> 00:02:23,069 don't we start with you? I love this 62 00:02:23,069 --> 00:02:26,270 question. So, actually, with my last position being 63 00:02:26,270 --> 00:02:29,550 in hygiene and doctor recruitment at another, large 64 00:02:29,550 --> 00:02:31,870 DSO, I actually know firsthand what the market 65 00:02:31,870 --> 00:02:33,730 looks like, and it is out there. 66 00:02:34,349 --> 00:02:36,830 Here at Dental Care Alliance, we see firsthand 67 00:02:36,830 --> 00:02:37,730 how the hygienist 68 00:02:38,175 --> 00:02:40,114 shortage impacts daily operations. 69 00:02:40,655 --> 00:02:44,034 Practices are often managing obviously fuller patient schedules, 70 00:02:44,175 --> 00:02:46,834 looking for creative ways to keep care consistent, 71 00:02:46,895 --> 00:02:49,875 but then again without over burning our providers 72 00:02:50,014 --> 00:02:52,430 of course. And hygienists are stepping into a 73 00:02:52,430 --> 00:02:55,229 more collaborative role, sometimes supporting the flow of 74 00:02:55,229 --> 00:02:56,370 the entire practice 75 00:02:56,750 --> 00:02:59,409 and sometimes taking on expanded duties as well. 76 00:02:59,789 --> 00:03:01,949 So the biggest thing here is that even 77 00:03:01,949 --> 00:03:04,430 with the shortage, our priority here is making 78 00:03:04,430 --> 00:03:07,435 sure our current hygienist feel seen, heard, and 79 00:03:07,435 --> 00:03:07,935 supported. 80 00:03:08,395 --> 00:03:10,395 The absolute worst thing we could do is 81 00:03:10,395 --> 00:03:13,375 overwork the amazing hygienists that we already have 82 00:03:13,594 --> 00:03:15,854 because that leads to decreased retention. 83 00:03:16,314 --> 00:03:18,955 We focus on balancing patient care with team 84 00:03:18,955 --> 00:03:19,455 well-being 85 00:03:19,835 --> 00:03:22,870 because keeping great hygienists long term is just 86 00:03:22,870 --> 00:03:24,810 as important as recruiting new ones. 87 00:03:25,349 --> 00:03:27,349 Becky, I'm assuming that resonates with you very 88 00:03:27,349 --> 00:03:28,330 much as well. 89 00:03:29,430 --> 00:03:31,830 Absolutely. Yeah. I agree 100% 90 00:03:31,830 --> 00:03:33,930 with what Sam said. It's it's a challenge. 91 00:03:34,205 --> 00:03:35,884 But I you know, on top of everything 92 00:03:35,884 --> 00:03:37,724 she said, while it is a challenge, I 93 00:03:37,724 --> 00:03:39,645 feel like it's also a way to elevate 94 00:03:39,645 --> 00:03:42,284 our profession, and it has elevated our profession 95 00:03:42,284 --> 00:03:45,164 because those hygienists are being recognized as more 96 00:03:45,164 --> 00:03:47,580 than just, you know, the day to day 97 00:03:47,580 --> 00:03:50,479 routines. They're being recognized as the critical providers 98 00:03:50,539 --> 00:03:52,539 instead of just the support staff. And this 99 00:03:52,539 --> 00:03:54,539 has really opened the door for more autonomy 100 00:03:54,539 --> 00:03:56,860 and influence in the patient care decisions and 101 00:03:56,860 --> 00:03:57,759 what we're doing. 102 00:03:58,060 --> 00:04:00,459 And as Sam mentioned, at DCA, we recognized 103 00:04:00,459 --> 00:04:02,145 that shift early and started investing in our 104 00:04:02,224 --> 00:04:04,705 in our hygiene teams, not just clinically, but 105 00:04:04,705 --> 00:04:06,705 by bringing on more hygiene support to really 106 00:04:06,705 --> 00:04:07,605 help advocate, 107 00:04:08,064 --> 00:04:10,705 mentor, and support those providers as the industry 108 00:04:10,705 --> 00:04:11,925 is starting to change. 109 00:04:12,625 --> 00:04:14,305 Samantha, I wanna come back to something that 110 00:04:14,305 --> 00:04:16,384 you mentioned earlier in your answer here on 111 00:04:16,384 --> 00:04:17,939 the last question. You know, you talked very 112 00:04:17,939 --> 00:04:19,939 extensively about how it's important to see the 113 00:04:19,939 --> 00:04:22,180 human, right, in in the hygienist. We we 114 00:04:22,180 --> 00:04:24,019 don't wanna overwork them. We wanna make sure 115 00:04:24,019 --> 00:04:25,479 they have a compassionate environment 116 00:04:25,779 --> 00:04:27,139 that they can work in, that they can 117 00:04:27,139 --> 00:04:28,279 be effective in. 118 00:04:28,819 --> 00:04:32,294 What approaches have you found most effective in 119 00:04:32,294 --> 00:04:33,035 in supporting 120 00:04:33,414 --> 00:04:36,774 that exact piece, in supporting hygienist professional growth, 121 00:04:36,774 --> 00:04:39,095 right, both in clinical practice, in their in 122 00:04:39,095 --> 00:04:41,914 their day to day, but also then exploring 123 00:04:42,055 --> 00:04:44,774 leadership and and nonclinical career path where they 124 00:04:44,774 --> 00:04:45,754 can really advance. 125 00:04:46,819 --> 00:04:49,400 I love that. You know, here at DCA, 126 00:04:50,100 --> 00:04:53,240 we definitely believe that supporting our hygienist professional 127 00:04:53,379 --> 00:04:56,040 growth means more than just providing those basics. 128 00:04:56,500 --> 00:04:58,759 It's about giving them the tools, the trainings, 129 00:04:58,980 --> 00:05:01,875 and the opportunities to truly excel. So we 130 00:05:01,875 --> 00:05:04,194 meet hygienists where they are in their careers 131 00:05:04,194 --> 00:05:07,555 and create those clear pathways forward, whether that's, 132 00:05:07,555 --> 00:05:11,175 like you said, refining clinical skills, pursuing certifications, 133 00:05:11,394 --> 00:05:14,034 or even exploring that leadership and non clinical 134 00:05:14,034 --> 00:05:14,534 roles. 135 00:05:14,990 --> 00:05:16,910 And I guess, you know, one area that 136 00:05:16,910 --> 00:05:20,350 we're especially committed to is advanced training where 137 00:05:20,350 --> 00:05:23,410 we're helping hygienists become GBT certified, 138 00:05:23,790 --> 00:05:26,050 laser certified, and providing robust 139 00:05:26,509 --> 00:05:29,310 continuing education so that they stay current and 140 00:05:29,310 --> 00:05:31,064 evolving in best practices. 141 00:05:31,685 --> 00:05:34,264 This will not only build confidence, but also 142 00:05:34,324 --> 00:05:37,204 reinforces the value that they bring as essential 143 00:05:37,204 --> 00:05:38,185 health care providers. 144 00:05:39,125 --> 00:05:40,564 I'm so glad that you mentioned that because, 145 00:05:40,564 --> 00:05:42,324 again, I think upskilling is such a big 146 00:05:42,324 --> 00:05:43,524 part of this to be able to say, 147 00:05:43,524 --> 00:05:44,964 hey. This is your next step. This is 148 00:05:44,964 --> 00:05:45,944 how you can explore 149 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:48,360 where you're going next. Right? And and and, 150 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:50,279 Becky, I'd love to come on this question 151 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:51,879 to you as well in terms of the 152 00:05:51,879 --> 00:05:53,500 technology piece too. 153 00:05:53,879 --> 00:05:57,319 How is technology helping to support iGenesis in 154 00:05:57,319 --> 00:05:59,000 in that work piece and and being able 155 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:01,660 to then create stronger outcomes. Right? 156 00:06:02,375 --> 00:06:04,774 Yeah. Absolutely. Technology has been a big game 157 00:06:04,774 --> 00:06:05,274 changer. 158 00:06:05,654 --> 00:06:08,235 At DCA, we provide tools like Overjet, intraoral 159 00:06:08,375 --> 00:06:08,875 scanning, 160 00:06:09,254 --> 00:06:12,615 you know, Peridot, guided biofilm therapy has been 161 00:06:12,615 --> 00:06:14,919 a a big initiative as well. And the 162 00:06:14,919 --> 00:06:17,019 reason being is because it allows our hygienist 163 00:06:17,079 --> 00:06:20,279 to really detect disease slowly, to present clearer 164 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:22,039 findings to the patients, and to be able 165 00:06:22,039 --> 00:06:24,680 to tailor those treatment plans for individual needs. 166 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:26,919 It's all about meeting that individual where they're 167 00:06:26,919 --> 00:06:28,705 at. It's not a black or white. You 168 00:06:28,705 --> 00:06:30,705 know, every patient is different that sits down 169 00:06:30,705 --> 00:06:32,545 in your chair. The other way that it's 170 00:06:32,545 --> 00:06:34,305 really helping that I'm finding with the teams 171 00:06:34,305 --> 00:06:35,585 is it helps with the day to day 172 00:06:35,585 --> 00:06:38,064 task. You know? It's makes schedule management easier, 173 00:06:38,064 --> 00:06:40,305 chart perhaps easier for our hygienists and for 174 00:06:40,305 --> 00:06:40,965 our providers, 175 00:06:41,329 --> 00:06:43,649 and really helps with just the overall office 176 00:06:43,649 --> 00:06:47,350 flow, helping for happier clinicians and happier patients. 177 00:06:47,410 --> 00:06:50,290 So in my opinion, technology doesn't replace that 178 00:06:50,290 --> 00:06:53,250 clinical skill. It only amplifies it, giving those 179 00:06:53,250 --> 00:06:55,750 hygienists more time to really focus on relationships 180 00:06:56,164 --> 00:06:58,425 and providing that individual care to their 181 00:06:59,204 --> 00:07:00,104 patients. Yeah. Absolutely. 182 00:07:00,805 --> 00:07:03,704 Samantha, we know that, change is hard, right, 183 00:07:04,644 --> 00:07:06,964 for for everybody and and certainly in this 184 00:07:06,964 --> 00:07:08,884 landscape, right, it's evolving so fast. We just 185 00:07:08,884 --> 00:07:10,985 talked about the technology piece as well. 186 00:07:11,759 --> 00:07:14,240 Really having buy in from teams and being 187 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:15,759 able to say, okay. This is how we're 188 00:07:15,759 --> 00:07:17,920 doing things. Here's how we're doing things, new 189 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:20,879 protocols, etcetera. It's really important to to have 190 00:07:20,879 --> 00:07:23,040 everybody on that same level, on the same 191 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:23,540 page. 192 00:07:23,865 --> 00:07:25,704 What are some of the strategies or or 193 00:07:25,704 --> 00:07:27,625 lessons that are that you've learned and that 194 00:07:27,625 --> 00:07:28,605 are most helpful 195 00:07:29,225 --> 00:07:31,225 in leading this kind of change and preparing 196 00:07:31,225 --> 00:07:33,144 folks? Any advice that you have for for 197 00:07:33,144 --> 00:07:35,225 other leaders that that are going through this 198 00:07:35,225 --> 00:07:35,964 right now? 199 00:07:36,660 --> 00:07:38,819 Yeah. I love that question. You know, in 200 00:07:38,819 --> 00:07:42,259 a larger organization like DCA, we introduce new 201 00:07:42,259 --> 00:07:43,800 protocols and new technologies 202 00:07:44,259 --> 00:07:45,399 quite a bit. Right? 203 00:07:45,860 --> 00:07:48,259 Which means we have to be intentional about 204 00:07:48,259 --> 00:07:51,645 team buy in. What works best is involving 205 00:07:51,865 --> 00:07:54,524 hygienists and the entire team early, 206 00:07:54,824 --> 00:07:57,865 letting them help the help shape that process 207 00:07:57,865 --> 00:08:00,205 rather than just announcing that change. 208 00:08:00,824 --> 00:08:03,384 We make sure to explain the why and 209 00:08:03,384 --> 00:08:06,024 connect that to patient benefits and provide the 210 00:08:06,024 --> 00:08:08,129 right training so no one feels unprepared. 211 00:08:08,750 --> 00:08:10,669 The other thing is we also learn the 212 00:08:10,669 --> 00:08:12,129 importance of small wins. 213 00:08:12,509 --> 00:08:15,889 Rolling out changes in manageable steps and celebrating 214 00:08:16,110 --> 00:08:19,009 progress so that the momentum actually stays positive. 215 00:08:19,894 --> 00:08:22,935 Change is much easier when people feel heard, 216 00:08:22,935 --> 00:08:24,634 supported, and part of the success. 217 00:08:25,574 --> 00:08:28,134 Yeah. Linking change with positivity. I love that 218 00:08:28,134 --> 00:08:30,454 point. I think that's so important. Becky, feel 219 00:08:30,454 --> 00:08:31,675 free to add on here. 220 00:08:32,220 --> 00:08:33,899 Yeah. I mean, I agree with everything that 221 00:08:33,899 --> 00:08:35,659 Sam said. You know, at DCA, we really 222 00:08:35,659 --> 00:08:37,980 believe in in the why. Right? Change sticks 223 00:08:37,980 --> 00:08:40,379 when it's framed around why it matters for 224 00:08:40,379 --> 00:08:42,220 both the patients and for the team. So 225 00:08:42,220 --> 00:08:43,659 like she said, I mean, we start with 226 00:08:43,659 --> 00:08:46,220 a clear vision. We really like to involve 227 00:08:46,220 --> 00:08:48,894 the teams early, pilot new products, really get 228 00:08:48,894 --> 00:08:50,654 their feedback, and so that they can see 229 00:08:50,654 --> 00:08:51,954 the benefits firsthand. 230 00:08:52,414 --> 00:08:54,894 Recognition is a huge part of our culture. 231 00:08:54,894 --> 00:08:57,934 Celebrating wins early and often really helps to 232 00:08:57,934 --> 00:09:00,860 keep that momentum by. And then patience. Patience 233 00:09:00,860 --> 00:09:02,940 is key. Not everyone adopts a change at 234 00:09:02,940 --> 00:09:04,940 the same pace. So that's why we provide 235 00:09:04,940 --> 00:09:07,500 our ongoing coaching and support until it really 236 00:09:07,500 --> 00:09:09,200 helps to become the best practice. 237 00:09:09,660 --> 00:09:11,920 And then, really, I think something that we 238 00:09:11,980 --> 00:09:12,720 that we 239 00:09:13,105 --> 00:09:15,585 kinda underestimate in our field is the power 240 00:09:15,585 --> 00:09:17,585 of peer influence. Right? When you have that 241 00:09:17,585 --> 00:09:20,384 respective hygienist or doctor that really is helping 242 00:09:20,384 --> 00:09:22,544 to champion a new approach, it goes a 243 00:09:22,544 --> 00:09:24,625 long way with the teams being excited about 244 00:09:24,625 --> 00:09:25,285 the change. 245 00:09:26,129 --> 00:09:26,870 Yeah. Absolutely. 246 00:09:27,410 --> 00:09:29,410 Samantha and Becky, again, thank you so much 247 00:09:29,410 --> 00:09:30,929 for being here. I I wanna turn the 248 00:09:30,929 --> 00:09:33,250 floor over to you. Is there anything else 249 00:09:33,250 --> 00:09:35,170 that we didn't touch on? Any final thoughts 250 00:09:35,170 --> 00:09:36,690 that that you'd like to share with our 251 00:09:36,690 --> 00:09:38,870 audience? Samantha, we'll start with you. 252 00:09:39,615 --> 00:09:41,475 I think the biggest thing here at DCA 253 00:09:41,535 --> 00:09:43,774 that, you know, as a clinical integration specialist 254 00:09:43,774 --> 00:09:46,254 is, you know, we're really focusing on the 255 00:09:46,254 --> 00:09:49,394 technology that's out there and elevating our hygienist. 256 00:09:49,535 --> 00:09:51,075 We have such a great 257 00:09:51,539 --> 00:09:53,080 hygiene leadership team 258 00:09:53,620 --> 00:09:56,419 that I feel, you know, other DSOs will 259 00:09:56,419 --> 00:09:58,740 look to us or other departments will look 260 00:09:58,740 --> 00:09:59,299 to us, 261 00:09:59,860 --> 00:10:01,159 to grow the same way. 262 00:10:01,620 --> 00:10:02,120 Becky? 263 00:10:02,580 --> 00:10:05,299 Yeah. I agree completely. DCA is investing heavily 264 00:10:05,299 --> 00:10:06,600 in our hygiene structure 265 00:10:07,004 --> 00:10:09,325 because that's really where it matters. We are 266 00:10:09,325 --> 00:10:11,165 going to be the the best in class 267 00:10:11,165 --> 00:10:13,404 in the industry and just really leading the 268 00:10:13,404 --> 00:10:15,004 way and paving the way, not only in 269 00:10:15,004 --> 00:10:17,424 technology, but just in excellent patient care. 270 00:10:17,965 --> 00:10:19,965 Well, Samantha, Becky, again, thank you so much 271 00:10:19,965 --> 00:10:22,700 for your time. What a fantastic conversation, great 272 00:10:22,700 --> 00:10:24,539 insights, and we also want to thank our 273 00:10:24,539 --> 00:10:27,419 podcast sponsor, Dental Care Alliance. You can tune 274 00:10:27,419 --> 00:10:29,419 in to more podcasts from Becker's Healthcare by 275 00:10:29,419 --> 00:10:33,679 visiting our podcast page at beckershospitalreview.com.