In this episode of Oral Systemic Connections, Dr. Tom Larkin interviews Elaine Rodriguez, RDH—founder of Dental Laser Integrations and a trailblazer in dental laser therapy. From her beginnings as a dental assistant witnessing preventable tooth loss to becoming a pioneer in soft tissue laser integration, Rodriguez shares her journey, the science behind laser protocols, and what the future holds for dental hygiene.
Together, they explore how laser therapy addresses the root causes of periodontal disease, the challenges of implementing new technology in practice, and why investing in hygienists—not replacing them—remains the key to elevating patient care.
----
Laser therapy is reshaping dentistry—and patients are seeing outcomes once thought impossible. In this episode, Dr. Tom Larkin talks with Elaine Rodriguez, RDH, about her journey from student researcher to industry leader in laser integration. They cover the benefits of soft tissue lasers, the barriers to adopting new technology, and the controversial rise of Oral Preventive Assistants. If you care about the future of dental hygiene and better treatment outcomes, this is a must-listen.
----
Elaine Rodriguez, RDH, is the founder of Dental Laser Integrations, a company dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality training for hygienists and dental teams. With over a decade of experience pioneering laser therapy in hygiene care, she empowers practices to implement evidence-based protocols that improve outcomes and elevate patient trust.
----
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laserelaine/
----
Website: https://www.oralsystemicmastery.com/
Website: https://www.powhygiene.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thomaslarkin8379
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-larkin-1b7a2418/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_larkin_protocol/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077559734621
----
PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please subscribe and share.
This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/
