Humanizing Hygiene with Bethany Montoya

What happens when we stop treating hygiene like a production role and start treating it like a human-centered profession?

In this episode of The Chief Psycho Podcast, I sit down with Bethany Montoya, MBA, RDH—a practicing dental hygienist, educator, industry key opinion leader, and Editorial Director of DentistryIQ’s Clinical Insights—to talk about the realities of practicing across different systems and what it means to bring humanity back into oral health care.

Bethany shares insights from working in both corporate and private practice settings, her perspective on disease prevention, and how education, writing, and professional involvement can become powerful tools for change. This conversation goes beyond surface-level debate and gets into identity, values, and responsibility within the profession.

In this episode, we explore:
• Corporate vs. private practice and what each environment reveals
• How hygienists can get involved and educate their communities
• The role of modern disease prevention in shaping the future of care
• Using education, voice, and leadership to drive meaningful change
• Human-centered practice in systems built for efficiency

This episode is for hygienists and healthcare professionals who want to think critically, lead intentionally, and practice in ways that honor both the provider and the patient.

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Alright, podcasters—that’s a wrap on this episode of The Chief Psycho Podcast! If you got something out of today’s convo, do me a favor—share it, tag us, and keep the conversation going.

Remember, entrepreneurship isn’t just about the grind—it’s about the growth. Stay bold, stay human, and keep pushing the limits.

Catch you next time. Until then—keep it psycho.

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