522 The Co-Host Compatibility Test

0:00a special thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show. Let's talk about remin gel from perioprotect. Remin gel is a hydroxyapatite rich gel that features precursor compounds that bind quickly to tooth surfaces, delivering bioavailable calcium and phosphate ions to support enamel repair. It's fluoride-free and contains no xylitol. For patients seeking relief from sensitivity and providers looking for a better way for their patients to remineralize enamel, this is it. Remin gel with perioprotect trays worn just 15 minutes a day has patients reporting sensitivity drops of more than 50% in seven days. And 80, yes, 80% in just 21 days. Learn more at perioprotect.com-rdh. That's perioprotect.com-rdh. With cost rising everywhere, every dollar counts.

1:01Especially when it comes to the office supply budget. Net 32 helps practices find better pricing on the same products we already use. And those savings can add up quickly. That extra room in the budget can go right back into the hygiene department, making sure we have the tools and supplies we need to do our jobs well. It can also open the door to investing in new technology or even adding extra support when the schedule is packed. It's not about spending less. It's about spending smarter. If you want your office to save time, save money, and purchase smarter, have them check out Net 32. And with a 30-day money-back guarantee, there is no risk. Visit net32.com-rdh. That's net32.com-rdh. Many times people ask me why did I decide to be an educator?

2:01And the best way I've found to explain that is when I'm with my patients, I see them at the most every three months. And you see their growth and the change. And you're there to support and to provide and to have this partnership with your patients. And with students, you see that every day. You see that growth from start to finish. And there is something really rewarding about being a part of this community in that way. I think everybody gets caught up with expectations, right? Especially when you're out of school or just the community that you live and you see your friends peers doing things. But when you wake up the next day, you're happy you're where you're going to work and you're having fun. That feels like success to me. Welcome to yet another episode of A Tale of Two Hygienes

3:04with your new co-hosts, myself Jessica Adkinson, and... David Torres. And it is episode 522 because it rhymes with getting to know you. And today, I'm going to get to know you, David, and you. I get to know you as well. So we had decided that we were going to have an episode about us for you all to get to know us as well. And I, for Christmas, got a deck of cards. And the deck of cards is called the Tumblr deck. And for all of you who speak Yiddish, Tumblr means an entertainer, someone who gets things going. So to get things going, I have a deck of cards with questions to ask David. And he has a deck of cards already in his brain to ask me. I just would like some assistance from these adorable cards. So we're going to start off with this really great question here.

4:08Oh, this is a good start, David. This is the Eight of Clubs. And it says, what would you regret not trying this year? What would I regret not trying this year? I got to be honest with you. For the longest time, ever since I was younger. And you know, as a genus, we do well with, with like, hand exteriority. But I really need to be able to pick up the guitar that I purchased in my college years and learn how to like play it and learn how to stick with the discipline of learning and new instruments. And so I love the electric guitar sound and how, I think it would be so cool being able to like pick it up and play a song. And then hopefully play some for you in the future. That would be awesome. You know how fun that will be? Like being able to learn, you know how like everybody has like a like a party trick and one of us. I have to think it's like playing in the dark.

5:09I think that would be fun. That'd be, that'd be great. I imagine a fire, a guitar. That sounds great. Yeah, yeah. So you're a secret musician. I think so. Yeah. And you know what? That's what I'm going to do. Identity change. I am a musician now. I will. I will learn how to pick up the guitar at the end of this year and all our musician. I, on the other hand, was fired by my piano teacher at the ripe old age of eight. Because. Oh, wow. Yeah, I did, I did not, did, did not pick up, no, did not pick up on piano. I, I was not something I enjoyed. I, and she said, you know, I just don't think this, you're enjoying this. And I have a number of other students that would take, to take piano. And I was fired. Just like that. Just like that. So. Dun, dun, dun, just like that.

6:09I have a question for you. I'm ready. What do you think? Because you know, like I saw you in LinkedIn. We connected. Obviously it, like we spoke in. And you know, you have all these, like, a conference. But what is something that people think they know about you? But they totally don't. Oh, that they think they know about me, but maybe don't. That's a, that's, that's, that's catching my brain. That's catching my brain. Like, what is maybe people think? I, I think people know that I really love dental hygiene. And I, I really love education. But I think only those who are really, really close to me know the depth and breadth of what that means for me. And the, the connection and the growth and the change that I really love in our professional space. Like, the idea of being involved in prevention, right?

7:11We are, we are in the, let's, let's establish habits and let's establish a, an environment and a culture of preventing disease, of caring for each other, of catching things early. And to see that in an educational space as well, of you're seeing students change and grow and, and accomplish things. And many times people ask me why did I decide to be an educator? And the best way I've found to explain that is when I'm with my patients, I see them at the most every three months. And you see their growth and the change and you are there to support and to provide and to have this partnership with your patients. And with students, you see that every day. You see that growth of, you know, from start to finish. And there is something really rewarding about being a part of this community in that way.

8:18And I think that's, I think maybe that's it. Like, people think they know that I love, love Donald hygiene and love education. I love people and, and I think that bucket is just really deep and wide. I don't know if I've even gotten to the depths and the breadth of what is available in this space. I think this is a new avenue co-hosting with you. And this is a new avenue that I've already really enjoyed. Yeah, that's fantastic. I love that. The depths of the career. The period until that's how deep this pocket is. Yes, we definitely need to refer to a period on us. All right, let's see here. Tumblr has another question for you. Okay. What do you randomly know a lot about? A person, a place, a thing, a movie about a rat who can cook? That's what it says. A movie about a rat that can, isn't that like retitooie?

9:18It is a rat who's doing that. Okay, so I am, I like to say that I, it's fun for me, but I've worked in a lot of environments and, and my wife tells me to speak back all the time. She's like, babe, you should have been a financial consultant. Because for some reason, you understand things like 401k, Roth IRAs, investments and all that stuff. And when you have these conversations with people, I think in your head, you think that you're like very, like passionate and proactive and you, and it's fun for you. But I'm pretty sure they're like on board, dude. I don't know what you're talking about or anything like that. And I think that mostly happens, especially when I, when I was in campus recruiting and talking to students, I understand how quickly things like that that are kind of boring, but a small change can go a really long way, right? Yeah. Maybe difference and how early you can retire. Yeah, exactly.

10:19Like nobody appreciates that in your 20s, but like when you're 14, 15, 60, you're like, well, I am so happy I did that, right? And I think for the career, we all work hard for our income and being able to kind of manage that and, and being able to have access such that money works for you. I think that's pretty, pretty cool. So yeah, I think that's something that it might be, I know a lot about it and I can talk to nerds about, but everybody has to be like, I don't know, I don't know what they talk about. My wife calls this shoe shopping. She says every time you talk about finance, I just think about shoe shopping because that's what I know about. Well, I think we need to get a guest on and you guys nerd out. And I will be the person who asks the questions that are like, can you explain that to me? Like I'm a second grader. So you'd be in a applicable situation for me. Because as, as a 20 something, when I decided I wanted to do dental hygiene as my professional avenue, I was not anticipating that it wasn't going to be a financial,

11:25like a financial foundation as far as like a 401k or, you know, all of your retirement questions you have or insurance. And especially where I live, it is common to not be employed at one office full time. So those opportunities weren't as readily available as maybe in my mind I had thought they would be. I actually wasn't even thinking about my future in those ways. And I think that has helped me now as an educator to help my students start thinking about those things now and say, hey, this is something to start now or yesterday in order to help you have that financial freedom and feel more comfortable and confident in your day-to-day in-and-out job. I think when you know that you have those things put into place, it gives you some peace of mind. Yeah, I know, I agree one to present.

12:26I think we all look at it like, oh man, it falls younger, right? Which actually, that's kind of like the question I was going to ask you next is, how would early career Jessica define success and how different is that from two days Jessica? Because I think we all tend to look at like financial success and stuff like that, but I think it's so much more beyond than what it is. Well, to me honest, my younger self had a very different idea of what my life was going to look like. And what I thought success would be would be to work as a part-time dental hygienist and be raising a family. Like that was my idea and my mind of what success would look like. And I think there are a number of things that I didn't do right away because I was waiting for that idea of success to manifest in my life. And I think the advice I would have given, I give my past self is not to wait to do things.

13:29Like I remember waiting to get a master's degree. I was like, I'll get a master's degree when I'm more, you know, when I'm, when after I've raised kids or I'll do that later or I'll get my own house when I have my husband and I'll do that later. Oh, worry about my financial future when I'm looking at my spouse and my combined income. I just had a lot of things waiting on different successes. And so then what now what I would identify as success is to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you, if it feels good, good. I asked, I asked one of my colleagues Emily Bogey the other day, I was just like, how, how do you manage all of the wonderful things in your life or how are you doing this? I said, when I'm a millionaire, I'm going to like hire you as my executive assistant. I don't know, just something like that. She goes, I just say yes to things that are fun.

14:31Yeah, yeah. Okay. And that came at a really opportune time is actually when I was given this opportunity. And I was like, this would be fun. I'm going to say yes. Yeah. Well, and that's similar to what I'm thinking about, right? Like I think everybody gets caught up with expectations, right? Especially when you're out of school or just the community that you live and you see your friends and peers doing things. But when you wake up the next day and you're happy where you're going to work and you're having fun, that feels like success to me. And those times in my life where I felt like a failure or I didn't do something well enough, it wasn't, it wasn't out of like, it's because I didn't try. It was mostly because I felt stuck, if that makes sense. So you could be quote unquote successful by having a job you're lying to five and seeing patients and doing all of that. But sometimes you feel stuck and so we equate that to feeling a little bit like failure. But whenever you have fun with life and you learn from those lessons and you move on and you say, what are some of the opportunities

15:35that are presenting to me that I can kind of have fun with it? It kind of like gives you that energy and it gives you that motivation to just try something new, something different. And we all need to have a little fun where our data data lives. So I love that. I love that. You get that example. What else do we have in the line of questions? Oh, here you go. You ready? Yeah. The some text of this that says, it's okay. You're safe here. So community is safe space. Because I'm about to ask David who his favorite villain is. Okay, you're going to love this. Um, there I say who should not be named Harry Potter? How in the world is Voldemort your favorite villain? This cannot be. Okay, because I have I have I feel bad like Harry Potter says I feel bad for you. He doesn't

16:35know love or friendship, right? So you feel you pity him. Yeah, I mean also like that kind of makes sense, right? Like he does everything that he does because he doesn't have the power of friendship and love. And remember, this is a safe space. I will remember that. I will listen and not judge. I will listen and not judge. But it's mostly is mostly because again, like he did a lot. He villains do evil things, right? They do terrible things. But in my mind, I think it was well justified from that character's point of view, right? I can't think of anybody else. But I think it's not like I look at a veteran and I'm like, well, I kind of want to be like that person. It's just it makes it makes sense. Poor guy didn't have love. And he doesn't know the power of friendship. And that's everything that I have. I have a love and power of friendship. And so therefore I feel bad for him. So yes, you're right. I think I pity him. What about you? I bet you really want to clean his teeth. No, I bet you just want to like he's got those like pointy teeth looking thing. Like I bet you

17:39know, if you just had a good cleaning from David Torres, that would have really changed his life. Akio, uh, Cabotron. I don't know both. That's good. Akio Cabotron. You're asking in reverse who my favorite villain is? Oh, now I want to know for sure, yes. Oh, I probably should have thought of this before we don't stress. It's a safe space. This would say space of villain. I'm going to have to come back to that because every time I think of someone, I'm like, I don't like that. Exactly. It's a difficult question. So that's why I didn't want to put that one. I asked you a difficult question because you know, I was thinking as like, do I, do I like scar? And maybe, maybe, okay, I'm going to choose scars. My favorite villain right now because he has an epic song. Oh, oh, I did not expect that one. I did not expect

18:40for that to go that way. Like, is there a love? Is there a better villain song than scar or song? You know, he's there with the hyenas and like, I'm going to do research. I'm going to watch that movie just for you. Yeah, I want to be thinking of you. I want you to know like, it's like be pretty bad. It's very, it is an anthem. It is quite, it's really catchy. The fact that you've seen this movie when you were younger and that's what kind of stuck with you this whole time. I love this. Like, like, it's the little, the little hyenas in the background. Like, they have the backup singers in the elephant graveyard. Like, it, it's a, it's a good, it's good.

19:41So, okay, he's my, he has my favorite song. He's got my favorite song. Yeah, it's a favorite song. Not let, not that I, not a kuna matato, not a kuna matato, not, not that I condone throwing brothers off of cliffs. Yes, no, I have, I actually have, I have brothers and I don't think I can throw anybody like that. Hey, it has water. What's a habit that you sort by now that past you were being like, ugh, like roll your eyes. Do you have a habit? Oh, making my bed, making my bed. Oh, yeah, I believe in miracles because I now make my bed religiously. I, I, I, it's just feel better. It's like a mindset thing. I think it's a mindset thing. I think it sets my day off well. I think, I think that there's something about your physical space influencing your life. Like, I think there are like a, there was a, there was a Ted talk about this. It was some kind of a,

20:46like a habit, marine, or somebody talking about these habits. And it's like, if you have a habit, and I think it's just a, like a catalyst for the rest of the day, the rest of the day. Yeah, that makes sense. I like to think, well, I do make my bed every single time. Sometimes my wife's still in it. And I still make it. Is that weird? Like I, I still make the bed. You know, you check her in, you put the, you put all like the, the dress pillows over her body. Is it just like a subtle sign that you're like, it's time to get up. Yeah, like I just get up and she's still in there. And I just like the bed. And so the intentions were there. And so like, if I come back home, the bed is not made. It's okay. We've got the intentions worse here. Or it just makes it easier for her when she gets out of bed. Then she just has to like, you know, that's a good way. That's a good way of looking at that. I was so nice of you to think of her. So nice. I'm a very sweet person. Okay. And I'm, and I'm a, and I'm a great husband. I think I don't know. We're going to have to ask her.

21:50But I, you know, I'm considerate. One of my habits that I used to roll my eyes on, although I was like journaling. And I don't know if people do this. I think, but it's just like that reflectionary state of like, hey, today I'm going to journal. And I don't do it every day, but like I do a journal. And it's the best link to your past self and your future self. And journaling is powerful. Yeah, it started in the pandemic, by the way. So like, you know, how we're all cooped up inside the house and the pandemic and like, I want to be a conductor. After making my bed, I was like, let me just journal. And I dated anything that stressed me out. I got to kind of like work on intentionally as a date, progress. And then things that were still stressing me out is, it's like, okay, you put it, you put it down on paper, but it's not in your head anymore. And that gives you clarity. So I don't know the older I've got. And the more I'm like, journaling, where is that people? Like, yeah, I journal and then I burn them. You burn them? You burn your journals? I burn. So like, not a whole journal. Like,

22:53I'll take a page and I'll just like, get all of my thoughts out. And then I'll burn it like an action of like, releasing it. Like I am like, all right, like, this is, I am sending this off. This is, this is out of me. And I also, my sister just got me a five year journal. Have you seen those? So it has, it's supposed to be a five year journal. And it's just a one spot for every year. And it's just tiny. And I just started yesterday because it was a little very beginning of the year. And I'm going to do, I'm going to do gratitude. And then I can look back over five years and see what I've been grateful for over the last five years. Ah, see, there you go. Yeah, I guess, I guess you're right. There's two ways to journal. There's that whole like, I'm going to burn this waterline villain story, right? To like, he prepared, prepared. Oh, is that that's the name of the church? That's the name of, that's the name of my Lion King song. Yeah, to reflection. This is what I'm grateful. Maybe do both, you know,

23:54I think, well, and then I also, I think that there's, it could be big and wide as far as like, um, I journal in, in the margins of books. Okay, same kind of thing too. Or when I'm like, when you're reading a book, you take those, you can take all of me to high five. Yeah. So, so that could, that could be like a journaling thing. Hey, speaking of books, because of this new year, I promised myself to read at least a book, a month, so that plan is for growth. Maybe both, I'd like to do growth things. But maybe I should start doing a little bit of both, right? Because, you know, like, self help can only go so far, right? But being able to kind of pick up the habit of like reading and not over thinking, because a lot of us, I feel like when we read a book is like, I forget what I'm reading, unless you're an average reader. So, not over thinking it and trying to, trying to like read a book of what about you, do you have anything exciting this year, 2026? For, uh, for reading? No, well, reading, yes, but like, um,

25:03I don't like a New Year's resolution. That's why you want to call that. So, um, I, I was thinking about this today, um, because the New Year is not the only time to like, make some changes, but there are a few that are bobbin around in my head. I am traditionally, I am more of a night owl than I am an early bird, but I would like to be more of an early bird. So, it's really helpful that your Eastern time, and I'm mountain time, because it, it requires me to be earlier than you. And so, look at you helping me with my New Year's resolutions. Way to go, David, what, what a nice co-host. Making your sense of it. Way to go. You get to start your date with me. Very, today I did. And then I think, I think for, um, I would also like to walk more with my little dog, like, do some more, more walks. I have this app called Step Bet, and I can bet on myself,

26:08and get, you know, steps in, which has been really helpful for me in the past. I think I'm going to revisit that this year. So, I'm starting off as like a, like, I want some things to be part of my life, but I'd like to approach it in a way that's going to be like a habit that I can maintain. Like, sometimes I have an idea, like, go hard, and then after a week, I'm like, no, things. So, I'm just like slowly starting in early days. Like, I already have, I already have Wednesday. I have to have an early morning for other obligations now. I'm going to add in, working with David earlier in the morning. And so, I mean, if I add things that I'm responsible to be earlier than maybe, maybe I'm going to become more, more is going to stick. All right, David, I really like this question. This is fair. The last time you were in a moment, a thought,

27:09oh, you were in a moment and thought, wow, I can't believe I'm here right now. There's two that sticks to my mind. And guys warning audience, I think this is really cute. When I got married, like, I am the person that as soon as I saw my wife, I cried, like a baby. And so, I know, right? I told you it was going to be cute. And so, I think, so when I first saw her, by the way, I met her in school. So, I met my mother in school. Did you guys like lock eyes over a skill evaluation? Like, she was like practicing probing and she looked into your eyes and you're like, this is it. I wish that was the case. But I'm pretty sure I probably locked eyes with her. And she just rolled her eyes on me. I don't know. I think, no, it happened in class. So, in our school, and by the way, like, in school, we had 45 students

28:15and only three were male hygienists. And so, like, it happened in school. And I didn't think she was, I like to think that I'm a funny person, specifically, like in class, I like, in that era, I used to like be more fun and more, I'll go in, I guess. Or maybe I was super excited to get in the hygiene school. And then from time to time, I will notice that she will look back and just smile at the jokes that I would say to one of my friends. So, I ended up like, you know, we became really good friends. I proposed the last semester of our school, because I figured we're going to start this amazing life and this journey. Let it, let's do it together. And when I saw her walk down the aisle, I, that, although that came like a compilation of all of our memories and all of that in it, just, I felt so incredibly lucky, nervous, excited, just all the feelings. I felt my feelings, but I was very, very happy. And then the second one was

29:20definitely like every single time I have three kids. So, every single time those babies came into this world and I held, I have, there's pictures of me just like bawling, crying. And I am grateful for that because of all those experiences. I've been like a, I consider myself like an emotional guy and that mostly happens out of like that gratitude feeling that I get. Like, I'm so lucky to be here and, and do these things. Even right now, being able to talk to you and co-hosting this podcast, like, it's just that sense of like joy and happiness of doing something a new and is exciting. Thank you. I feel the same way. I'm like, wow, this is, this is a, I'm, I get the opportunity to speak with people that I am learning from and I admire and that, that have so much to offer. And I, and what I've noticed, I think the moment I had today about that is when we were doing a podcast and it just felt really like really fluid. Like, I had a moment

30:26that I was like, David's gonna have something really good to ask right here. And you did. Like, I was like, this is just, I'm like, this is, this flows for me. Like, I, this is, this is, this is working. This is working. Yeah. And how, how lucky are we that this is working, right? Like, we're doing this together and it's work. Yeah. No kidding. No, no, no kidding. Absolutely. And I, it was very sweet that you're very first thought was when you saw your wife walk down the aisle. Something to know about me is I love love. If, if I'm not, if I'm not just devouring dental hygiene information, I'm devouring relationship information. I love information about communication. I love information about relationships. I love information about how to maintain or improve or enjoy each other. So that's, that's something I enjoy besides reading books because

31:32I really like books too. Yeah, but we're, we're humans, right? Like, we create that connection and that wanting to fit in. And that's what we have, this, this path to being able to kind of engage with our audience. And hopefully they get to us those questions where we can, you know, answer them and have that sense of community. I think it's cool. I think it's amazing. Our community is our Tumblr deck. So community out there, you're the Tumblr deck. And we want to know what questions you have about each, like ourselves, like, what questions you have about David, what questions you have about me, or what questions do you have about anything related to our profession that we can provide an opportunity to answer some questions or dive deeper into a topic or learn and grow together. That is what we're here to do. And we feel very grateful to be doing it with you. And that is a wrap, getting to know you episode 522.

32:36Jessica, thank you so much. This is, this is honestly awesome. And being able to kind of like spend some time together like this, getting to know each other, I am excited for the rest of the episodes. And I think we're already pretty close and, and imagine how much closer we get to engage with the community and audience like what you were saying. And yes, guys, reach out. Our info is in the show notes. And we're here for you. Thank you, David. Thank you. That's a wrap on today's episode of a tale of two hygienist podcasts. If this conversation made you feel seen, inspired, or even just a little fired up, share it with a fellow hygienist or fellow dental professional, share it with your neighbors, your friends, share it with everyone. That is how this community grows. Make sure you subscribe, even to review and connect with us on social media so that we can keep on going with this conversation. Remember, you career your voice and your story matter here. We're David. And Jessica. And until next time, keep learning, keep laughing and keep showing up for yourself and for each other.

33:39This has been a production of Endeavor Business Media, a division of Endeavor B2B.