Take Care Of Your Teeth!!!

0:00Welcome everyone, you are about to embark on a journey through the universe as you indulge in this extraordinary essence of enlightened empowered evolved. Let the show begin in five, four, three, two, one. Just in time, greetings everyone, I'm Luke Bryan Smith, and welcome to enlightened empowered evolved where we educate, motivate and liberate, liberate you through enlightening dialogues, empowering music and evolving content. I am excited yet again because my next extraordinary guess is the founder of home sweet hygiene, a portable hygiene practice that brings preventative dental services directly to underserved communities. Wow, including children, patients with special needs and individuals with mobility or access challenges across northern California. And there's a whole lot more, but without further ado, allow me to introduce to you, Lindsay, this gay.

1:07Yes, yes, yes, I stumbled over my my introduction a bit. Sometimes I say it so much, I should know it and I do. And then sometimes I got so much going on in my head that I just wait a minute. What am I supposed to say? We're all human. I do it all the time. Absolutely. Yes. And I just want to say that I believe that time is one of our precious most precious assets. And for you to decide to come on to this show at this present moment to be a guest, I just want to extend my sincerest gratitude gratitude to you. Thank you. Well, thank you. Thank you for having me. I'm excited to chat with you and share about access to care and dental hygiene. So thank you for having me. Absolutely. You're welcome. Yes, let's just get right into it. Okay. So you're the founder of home sweet hygiene. All right. Give us some insight on that. How that came a little front and back story of how that came about.

2:09And what it is all about. Okay, so I'm a dental hygienist and alternative practice. That's the RDHAP. And I've been in the dental field for over 15 years. But I went back to school to be able to provide care for patients outside of a traditional operator setting. Outside of a dental office, there are lots of patients that are unable to receive care. And so that is what home sweet hygiene does. We bring care to communities to patients homes to places where they feel safe where they're accepting of treatment. And and that's that's what I do. And that started in Salano County, but I actually travel all over Northern California, providing care for patients. Oh, that that's absolutely amazing. So yes. So you and I and I before this show started, I said that I was going to ask you about those BSDH, RDHAP.

3:15You know, could you tell me what those mean? Sure, sure, sure. I know there's a lot of a lot of letters in there. I'm a registered dental hygienist. That's the RDH. The RDHAP is registered dental hygienist and alternative practice. The RDH RDA EF2 means that I can place fillings and seat crowns underneath the supervision of a dentist, all sorts of different regulations and the BSDH is that I got my bachelor's degree in dental hygiene. So if you can't tell by all the letters, I am so passionate about dentistry. I've spent a lot of my life in dentistry and continuing to further my education in dentistry. And so yeah, that's that's what all those mean. Absolutely. That that is amazing. Thank you for giving me some clarity on that. So yes, yes. Have you always in and I don't want to sound redundant, but this is just a conversation. Have you always been interested in dentistry since you were a kid or you just kind of.

4:28That's a good question. So I was I tell people I was born into dentistry. My grandfather was a dentist. My father is now a retired dentist. My sister's a hygienist. I've got all kinds of my sister in law is a dentist now that took over my dad's family practice. And that must have always been in the cards for me. It wasn't my initial no to answer your question. When I was younger, I didn't think that I would go into. I wanted to do all kinds of other things, but my heart led me here and I just. I didn't know I didn't know that I would love it as much as I do, but it's definitely been a passion of mine and it's been such a blessing to be able to. Now, you know, have the profession evolve and be able to take it like I said outside of the traditional four walls of a dental office and serve patients that would otherwise go without care.

5:32Wow. Thank you for that. So when you when you help people, do you have like a mobile a van or something? I wish. Okay, one day, maybe, but I do have you can take sure this like a little rolling suitcase that houses my equipment. So think when you go to a dental office and you have your clean, they have the air and the water syringe and the suction and all the polisher. I have all of that that I take with me in a little suitcase as well as, you know, my sterilized instruments, all kinds of other goodies, but everything that you would have in a traditional office. I carry with me in my car and I will set up in any given space in a home, community setting, library, I've I've set up a dental cleaning on someone's porch because he wanted to be outside. So yeah, it really, you really have to, you know, open your mind and expand your thoughts because, you know, when you think dental office and people are just used to one thing.

6:42But really it's dentistry has evolved and we can now treat patients out like I said outside the traditional four walls. Wow, wow, so what inspired you to help underserved people in this, especially in this area in dentistry. Well, I just saw that there were a lot of people that didn't have access to care. And then after getting into it, it just reinforced that that there are so many, you know, for instance, seniors with cognitive decline that can't go outside of maybe their care homes easily or those with mobility issues, those with special health care needs that, you know, have sensory sensitivities. There are a ton of people that that don't fit into the traditional system.

7:45It just wasn't built built for them necessarily. And so knowing that there were people out there that, you know, didn't have access to care. It really is what forced me to do this, what drove me to do this and then seeing just how many I had no idea until I was really in it is what keeps me going for sure. That's amazing. And I really resonate with that because I enjoy helping people where I, where I can. And that's the basis of this podcast. When I created it was to get information, vital information, wellness, you know, in all areas to people, you know, engaging in conversations with dialogues with people such like yourself that, you know, that people can find out about this. And it's just interesting. I love engaging with people and finding out their passions and their intentions and their purpose. I love it. And it's just amazing. And this is exactly today is what this podcast reflects what we're doing right now. So that's amazing.

8:58And how do you, how do you keep going helping people? Are you providing free service or is it just people that can't afford very much or how does, how does that work? It's so it's a mix. It's a mix. I always try to give back to the community. I was born and raised in Solano County. My husband grew up here. We are raising our children here. So communities really important to me. So I always do my best to give back. I will try to do annual free screenings and fluorides at, you know, partnerships throughout like the library, Fairfield Library. We're doing one. I work with a special healthcare needs group that I try to provide free services. I'm always trying to help connect to the community with healthcare. With dental care, although I also believe that it's whole body, you know, the mouth, don't get me started, but the mouth is connected to our whole body. So anyhow, we were talking about access.

10:02But yeah, I always try to give back. I do try to work with insurances. And I've never, I try to never turn people away if cost is a factor. So I always try to work with people. Amazing. And I'm a firm believer that giving opens the door to receiving as well. So that's just amazing. Yes. Yes, that's amazing what you do. And what would you say? What would you say would be some of the biggest challenges that you face in your arena, your business? What are some of the biggest challenges? Gosh, a big challenge. One, and you're actually helping me with this. One thing is there are lots of people like me out there throughout California. There are lots of people that are doing the same thing. And spreading awareness that we exist. Like, hey, there are services. If you, you know, if you're exhausted by a system that hasn't worked for you, just know that there are options.

11:07So spreading the word that, that this license out there is something that's very helpful. So I appreciate you, you know, having me on your podcast and getting to share some of my experience. And then, you know, another challenge. It's, it's just so hard. Because I am a hygienist. And while I can do a lot of procedures, my focus is prevention. And so I will see people that need much more than that. That it's been years since they've had dental care, you know, and they, they need much more than that. And I, I cannot give them more than that without adding more letters to my name, which I don't know that I'm going to do. And so that's hard. That's hard because I, like I said, I'm prevention focused. But if I encounter a patient and I often do that needs all kinds of other dental treatment. You know, but that's where community collaborations come in. And that's where partnerships with other dentists and, you know, other providers are essential. So, yeah. So even though I can't always help in the way that I want.

12:19It's nice making those connections with other providers, other like minded people that, then I can, can introduce them to. So everyone out there. There's a lot of good people out there. Yeah, so that's amazing. And I would like to add this is, you said something very powerful. You said a lot of things. But you said there's a lot of people out there willing to help. To me, when you focus on that versus the alternative, oh, no one wants to help this. No, I believe that wherever you place your focus, that's what grows, you know, that's what you attract, you know, so to speak. So that's amazing that you have that that outlook, you know, there's a lot of people out there willing to help. Yeah, of course, there's a lot of people that are not, but that's not what we're focusing on. We're focusing on the optimism, the, you know, yes, yes. Yeah, perfect.

13:19We can't help what we can't help. And we don't want to put our focus over there. And that's amazing. You're a shining example of that. So thank you for. Thank you for that clarity. Yes. You know, I just wanted to ask this. Yeah, it's just popped in my head. Why does at times does dentistry get a bad rep like people are scared, you know, I could say that I've been afraid to go to the dentist. My wife has to force me. Well, now I'm okay with it, but is it because of their afraid that something might be wrong or something's going to hurt or yeah, because I'm, I'm nervous when somebody's in my mouth. Yeah, you're not alone. There are so many people that are anxious about about dental appointments. And, and it's, you know, being in dentistry, you learn not to take it personally. Um, but it's just, you know, I think you're in this, you know, you're laying back, you're in this compromising position and you have hands and all in your face. Yeah, you feel vulnerable.

14:21You do in your mouth is sensitive, you know, there's lots of nerves in there. So, and then you see these sharp tools. So it can be a bit intimidating. Oh, absolutely. It's not my favorite place to be. Surprisingly, I don't really like being in the dental chair either. And nothing against the dentist in my lives, you know, they're all wonderful, but it's just, I don't know. I don't know. It's a lot of things that that cause that anxiety over dental appointments. So I know, but a lot of times for a lot of the people that I work with that are very anxious that might have those sensory sensitivities. Um, you know, it's the environment. And so if you can meet them in a place where they're at and they're comfortable and they feel safe. I've seen patients that have only ever had dentistry under sedation, go from that to accepting care because we're on their, their couch or, you know, sitting on the floor in their living room.

15:23And it's really amazing to see. So, wow, that's amazing. You bring a, a unique, um, you know, experience to dentistry. Like you said, being on someone's couch or on their porch, that, that's amazing. And I just wanted to highlight that even more. But to add to those fears about dentistry, I wanted to add this to it. I, I know that it's very necessary. And I'm speaking to everyone. Um, you know, getting taken care of your, your hygiene and your, your, your teeth and your gums. It's, it's just as essential if not more than everything on your body. You know, so I recommend everyone, you know, um, take care of yourself, you know, take care of it. That's part of wellness. Take care of your teeth. Yeah. Take care of your teeth. You know, there's always solutions to whatever problem you may have in there.

16:25You know, and I know it from experience because I've had a few problems going on in my mouth. So, hey, you know, so oftentimes self-inflicted, but hey, but in this fix, you know, people like you, you know, I'm so thankful for it because you, you fix it, you know, you fix those problems, the pain or whatever I have a cavity or whatever you fix it. And, you know, the maintenance, keeping it, keeping my smile, you know, clean. And I said, and I love it. I love it. I love it. So before we conclude, oh, before we conclude, how can people find you if they're in the Salano County? Do you have a website that you can share with us now? Yes, I do. So home suite hygiene.com is my website pretty pretty simple. And that is also my Instagram handle that people can follow me on there. And a lot of the community events that I do will be on Instagram. So I don't always update that on my website. Of course, you can find out all kinds of other information.

17:30But for like the library events or the school events, the resource fairs, we try to always do resource fairs. That'll be on Instagram. So yeah, please come by me and stop by and say hi. That would be great. Yeah, I'll look you up on Instagram as well. My my handle is 333 in power on Instagram. So that way when I upload because what I'll do is I'll edit this long form. And then I'll create a real what I think is a powerful point. And I'll upload the real to Instagram. In that way, I can tag you or add you as a as a contributor as well. So when I think. So yes, I'll look you up. Yeah, I'll look you up on Instagram as well. Yeah. Before we again, before we conclude, is there anything that I did not that I miss that I did not highlight that you would like to share or any last words, anything, because I don't want to leave any stones unturned if I didn't highlight something.

18:36Oh, thank you. No, this has been so great. You're so easy to talk to. I totally see why you have a podcast. No, I appreciate your your questions and your perspective. And I thank you for allowing me to share about something. Like I said, I'm so passionate about, which is dentistry and access to care. And for anyone listening that. You know, may have felt exhausted by a traditional dental system for themselves for a loved one, a parent, a child, just know that there are other, there are other systems out there for you and to not be discouraged. And if they anyone has any sort of dental related questions, they're always welcome to reach out. So thank you for having me. I appreciate being here this morning. Yes, you're welcome. And thank you for sharing your amazing passion service to humanity. It's just absolutely amazing. And like I said, this is exactly what this podcast is based on exactly what we just did right here with you. And that's, it's amazing. And I never get tired of it.

19:47Listening to people express themselves and, and just share their perspectives and, and their outlooks and their, their, their gifts, their talents, their passions, their work. I just love it. So yeah, thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, everyone, for watching and or listening. Be sure to hit that like button. Be sure to hit the subscribe button. Share this, not only help the platform grow, but get this information out there. Excuse me. Get this information out there. Thank you. If you would be interested and think you'd be a good fit to be on the Enlightenment Empowered Evolved podcast, simply email me at 333 EmpoweredGmail.com. See you soon in Enlightenment Empowered Evolved.