Join Dr. Tom Larkin as he hosts Lisandra Maisonet RDH and Debbie Z from the Oral Health Awareness Project (OHAP) to uncover the evolving and often strained relationship between dentists and dental hygienists. From legislative threats in Nevada and Arizona to the rise of DSOs and a systemic undervaluing of hygiene care, this conversation pulls back the curtain on why hygienists are often treated as “tooth cleaners” instead of the life-saving co-therapists they truly are.
Discover how OHAP is empowering hygienists, educating legislators, and mobilizing over 4,000 members to protect the future of the profession—and why the stakes for public health have never been higher.
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Dental hygienists are fighting for their very identity—and your health depends on the outcome. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Tom Larkin speaks with Lisandra Maisonet RDH and Debbie Z about why unqualified personnel are being allowed to perform hygiene duties, how industrial dentistry is undermining care, and why a public awareness movement is gaining unstoppable momentum. Tune in to discover why respecting hygienists means protecting patients—and what you can do to help.
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In this episode of Oral Systemic Connections, I sit down with Lisandra Maisonet RDH and Debbie Z to examine the hidden crisis facing dental hygiene. From the lack of dentist training and the rise of DSOs to legislative threats that could let unqualified people perform hygiene duties, this is a wake-up call for patients and providers alike. Discover how OHAP is rallying thousands of hygienists to fight back, elevate their profession, and ensure patients receive the comprehensive, life-saving care they deserve.
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Lisandra Maisonet RDH and Debbie Z are leaders of the Oral Health Awareness Project (OHAP), a fast-growing nonprofit formed in response to legislative efforts to let untrained individuals perform dental hygiene duties. With a mission to educate the public, empower hygienists, and advocate for policy change, they are driving a movement to restore respect, collaboration, and evidence-based care to the dental profession.
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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
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