The Cost of Misalignment with Caitlin Parsons

The Cost of Misalignment | S5 E10

Pain has been normalized in dentistry for so long that many clinicians assume it’s simply part of the job. Burnout gets labeled as workload. Fatigue gets labeled as weakness. And misalignment becomes culture.

In this episode of The Chief Psycho Podcast, I sit down with Caitlin Parsons, RDH, C-IAYT, CEAS, nationally recognized ergonomics consultant and founder of The Aligned Hygienist, to examine what chronic pain and burnout are really telling us.

Drawing from over 17 years of clinical experience and advanced training in yoga therapy, ergonomics, and stress physiology, Caitlin explains why burnout is often a nervous system issue—not just a scheduling problem—and how biomechanics and regulation strategies directly impact performance, retention, and longevity.

We talk about ergonomics as business strategy, why hygienists are leaving dentistry, and what’s missing in dental education when it comes to sustainability.

In this episode, we explore:
 • Why pain is normalized in dentistry
 • Burnout through the lens of nervous system dysregulation
 • Ergonomics as leadership and operational strategy
 • Retention and the real reasons clinicians are leaving
 • Building high performance without self-destruction

This episode is for clinicians and leaders who want sustainability—not survival.