dental-ish by browngirlrdh
The first black dental podcast mixed with a little something extra. Podcast topics range from family, entrepreneurship, education, to working in the dental industry as black professionals. Brought to you by BrownGirl, RDH.
dental-ish by browngirlrdh
Traveling the world as an RDH AP
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Ever felt undervalued at your corporate job? You'll resonate with our discussion on making life-changing decisions to reclaim your personal freedom. Hear the pivotal moment that led to a transformative journey of leaving corporate dentistry for a life rich in travel and family time. We candidly talk about the struggles and rewards of balancing work, family, and personal happiness, touching on essential topics like workplace inequality and microaggressions. This chapter is all about empowering yourself to make disciplined choices for a more self-determined and fulfilling life.
Finally, we turn our focus to perseverance and individuality in the face of discouragement. Sade's story of transitioning from a dental assistant to a successful hygienist, despite initial setbacks, is a testament to the power of staying authentic. We explore the importance of mentorship, individuality, and the joy of supporting others in their professional journeys. Plus, discover how connecting with like-minded individuals on social media can foster growth and positivity. Sade's passion for the field and her willingness to help others anchor this engaging episode. Don't miss her insights on why a universal licensing system for hygienists could revolutionize dental care access.
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Brown Girl RDH Entrepreneurial Journey
Speaker 1Okay , everybody , welcome back to Dental-ish . Okay , we have a special guest today here . Her name is Sade . She's an RDH AP . She's out in California and she's a Brown Girl RDH , and she was . You know she's a Brown Girl RDH because her name is Sade . She was named after a singer . So you are , you know , those are those telltale signs , but she is a good friend of mine and she's here to join us , to tell us about you know , working as an entrepreneur .
Speaker 1She has a company All Things Toothy . As well . As you know , she has her own dental hygiene practice , so welcome .
Speaker 2Sade Hi , thank you so much for having me and I think it's just awesome that you know you got something like this so we could reach more hygienists , especially brown girls , and , you know , let them know about the opportunities that they can have as hygienists .
Speaker 1Funny thing is , when I met you , you were social media before I met you in person and you were like , yeah , I love what you do . You know , I want to , you know support , and we were having some ideas about what we can do as far as like the products and the Brown Girl RDH logo , and I was like I want to do something special . It was around the time of the fifth year anniversary and we came up with the black tooth bags , the all things toothy with your company and we launched those bags , which people went crazy for them , and I remember I was like I just want to do something special for this anniversary gift . And then we were like we had the white ones , you had the white ones , and you were like , what about the black and gold ? And I was like , oh , my gosh , that's it . And then you were telling me more about your background and your , I think . You said your granddad was black and I'm looking at Sade and Sade she does not look black and I'm like , girl , you're not black . Stop lying , it's hard .
Speaker 2Yeah , you know , that's the thing too . I think that you know , if you look at me , I am , I'm mixed ethnicity , right . But the thing is is that when you do have a parent my dad is black also , my grandfather's just an even darker black man you feel that wherever you go and the places that I've gone , where I , even though I'm a little bit lighter skinned , they know , they know right off the bat , they can see my hair , they can see my facial features and that's okay . Like I've actually had to really come to grips with that's okay . Like it , that's okay , it's a good thing , it's a beautiful thing and I'm I'm actually just so proud to be a part of a community that accepts me . You know , no matter how light or dark I am , they understand , they see my face and they know that I'm part of the community .
Speaker 1Right , absolutely . And one thing about you know , brown Guard , ih and a lot , a lot , a lot of minority platforms it's like we are the most inclusive but the most excluded and that's why I really , really , really , you know , you know , wanted to provide a platform and I always want to do , do something , you know , as far as the conferences , the podcast , something to highlight . Hey , we're here , we're providing the platform , we're going to support regardless , and then we just have to keep showing up and keep supporting , and I and I love every time there's something going on , it's like how can we support you , how can you support us ? And it's always a collaborative thing . You know what I mean . Even if we're not talking every day or in somebody's inbox every day , it's like I got you and I know you got me , so let's keep it 100 percent , 100 percent .
Speaker 2You see them , you feel that there's just actually like a spiritual bond between people of color that we all know that we're , we look at each other's eyes and we know that we're all going through something on a deeper level , and so you can feel that with another person of color . You see that , you feel that and so you definitely just want to stay connected because you definitely want to see them shine and grow , and you understand that there's just been a long period of time where we didn't have those opportunities and our ancestors didn't , and so we're trying to , we're trying to do the opposite now , right ? So I mean , anytime I can get a part of something , I love it . And when I first found out about you , I was like I have to , I have to be a part of this . Whatever this is , whatever I could do , there's there's actually there's so much you could say about being an ethnic person in the medical , dental field in general .
Speaker 2I just think that you know a lot of other girls that I've talked to who are , you know , of mixed color . Maybe they don't even know that they can sign up for something like this . Maybe they didn't even think it was for them Like , oh , that's not for me , because they didn't see someone that looks like them doing it Right , and so it's so important that we're out there and we're just showing our younger generation that it is for you . So yes , I agree .
Speaker 1So you're out practicing in California . Can you explain what the cause ? You're RDH , rdhap , like what does that mean ? What does that mean for hygienists ? Like , what do you do ?
Speaker 2Yes . So a registered dental hygienist and alternative practice means that we have received an advanced license , an expanded license . So after you're done becoming a hygienist and you're working for five years and you have your bachelor's and you have so many hours in a dental office , you have the opportunity to work a non-traditional setting and basically here in the state of California we're able to go to senior centers , senior centers , group homes , schools and someone like me if you are working in a designated area , which means that they are kind of like low income , they don't have access there's not a lot of access to dentists or dentists are taking , you know , medi-cal Then you can actually open your own brick and mortar and you can treat anybody in those areas . So that is what I've been doing for the last six years now . I have my own dental hygiene practice and what that consists of .
Speaker 2I see everybody and anybody , but I do see a lot of like immigrants . In my area in particular , there's a lot of Spanish speaking immigrants that don't have insurance and are just , you know , going to dental offices and not just getting the care or they're not really understanding the treatment plan that's presented to them , and so I almost I'm acting like an advocate to help guide them at what they should do in the dental world . So yeah , I'm doing everything preventative , I'm doing fluoride cleanings and I work hand in hand with a general dentist and I'm sending them over for their restorative care and any other treatments that they need . That's outside of my scope of practice .
Speaker 1Right . So for the RDHAP , do you have to practice with the ? Do you have to have licensed dentists on it , or can you ? Is it like Colorado , to where you can just be an individual ?
Speaker 2Right . So it's not like Colorado . So the two other states that it's very similar to is Washington and Oregon , and so California is you do , and you can have a few , but you have a relationship with a general dentist where you are referring them for restorative care . So you're doing your part , which is great and I love it . I'm focusing on hygiene , preventative , which that's my specialty , and anything that's out of my scope . If I'm seeing anything that looks , you know , like hey , there might be a cavity , or they come with a broken tooth , I'm sending them to my referring dentist for further diagnosing and treatment . Six years is a long time . This year will be the sixth year .
Speaker 1Yes , oh good , congratulations , Congratulations .
Speaker 2Thank you . It's not easy , but it's , it's rewarding .
Speaker 1It's not . And you do this all while being a mommy . You have all things toothy business on the side . You're still your full-time clinical hygienist , Then you have your entrepreneurs , you have your business and then you are a mommy . How many children do you have ?
Speaker 2I have two , and I have a 14-year-old and I have a five-year-old , so there's a big gap there . And really that 14-year-old thank God , because she really does help with the five-year-old , really Because I mean it takes quite a few more hands for that one .
Speaker 1And then you travel . I think when we spoke , the first time we spoke , you were telling me about how you show people how to travel with kids , how to travel internationally , and I saw you were recently in Tokyo . I was like okay .
Speaker 2I was yes , okay , so that's another thing that's been limited to people with color . Right , they don't know that they can go and see the world and do things and go places and actually I've done some research about , you know , places that have been about different struggles that people around the world where they might have disadvantages . But I started traveling because I found it to be very important for my girls to know that they can go anywhere , they can do anything , and I want them to know that there's a larger place out there , from outside of our state , where you know they just think that this is the way life is . The more you travel and you see the way different people live , it just expands your horizons , right ? So I wanted them to be able to do that , right . So I started traveling seven years ago .
Empowerment Through Entrepreneurial Independence
Speaker 2Actually , what really triggered it was my manager at the time , because I did corporate dentistry for 10 years . Like , I just was a loyal worker . I just worked , worked , worked and I was getting married , me and my high school sweetheart . We waited years but we were getting married and I had booked my trip and she like declined my , my hours , my vacation hours . She's like , oh , you put in the wrong dates . So she was really trying to jam up my vacation and that's when I was like wait , hold up , like no , you don't tell me , no , I'm gonna go , I'm gone like I'm I'm going and just from that point on , I just was like no one's gonna stop me , I'm gonna go , I'm gone like I'm , I'm gonna go , wherever it is , I'm going .
Speaker 2And from that trip I realized I went to Puerto Rico that I could go anywhere and I could do anything and I can see anything . And and who said I have to work like so hard ? Because , at the end of the day , I at that point I had been there for eight years and she was willing to , like , decline my hours , my vacation hours , right . So it really opened up something in me that I said , wow , like I'm just a number to you , as loyal as I am , as hard as I work at weekends , staying late , seeing patients through lunch , it didn't matter . So I knew at that moment I needed to change my lifestyle , because we only live once and I and I didn't want to continue to live like that . So , yeah , that's why I travel , I get out and I see the world , and , and with kids . Kids deserve to go see things too , right ? So you always see people traveling without their kids , but they need to see things too people traveling without their kids , but they need to see things too , right ?
Speaker 1so I know I got , I got four kids and I'll be like this is not a vacation with this is not a vacation with the kids , yeah , so sometimes they need to stay home .
Speaker 2Sometimes they do . They do need to stay home with grandma or something they do . So me and my husband we do . We do like an us trip and a them trip , an us trip and then them trip and us trip and then them trip . So that's nice so okay .
Speaker 1So when you you are , see , I always say entrepreneurs are not . I don't say entrepreneur because that word's thrown around everybody . Anybody can be an entrepreneur , but bosses are not just something that you wake up and decide you're going to be a boss and take control of your life and how you do things . So your time off request was a request for them , but it wasn't . It wasn't a request for you .
Speaker 1You're like I'm taking this , whether you approve it or not , but absolutely 100% as a business owner , you know , knowing what that corporate office had to do , she was willing to decline your request because she had to fulfill whatever it was on our business . But as a business owner , sometimes and I know this all too well you have to decide hey , my employee needs time off and I don't have coverage . Do I shut down ? And , you know , stop operations . Now , if that's a corporate office , I don't know how they were , but at the end of the day they had to make a business decision , right , and you were like this doesn't work for me and if I want to have to be in control of my own life and what I do and how I do it , then I need to do something different .
Speaker 2So yeah , and the thing is is I was extremely accommodating , like I would work any hours that were needed to make up , like before the trip or after the trip . The thing was it was like legalities and honestly I could go on to tell you some actual ethnic things that happened in that office , like there actually was a white girl I worked with and she was making six dollars more than me , just different , like real , I don't know if you want to call it shady , but real microaggression things that were going on . But the thing is , the hours that I had already , I already accrued the PTO , so it was for me to take . But she just wanted to show her authority to say say like well , you didn't put it in exactly how I wanted you to put it in , or however it was . It wasn't that I'd already had an , accrued them or made accommodations for her .
Speaker 2As far as like moving patients and seeing them like right before I go and right before I come back so that they don't lose money , because I do , as a business owner , understand money and understand that they could lose money , right , so I understood that and was always accommodating . As far as like , well , you know , even like case by case , I knew that the SRPs were worth more and I didn't want them to miss out on that . So I'd be like , well , I'll for sure see this one before I go , you know , with her . Unfortunately , it was more just like a control power thing , like you know , because because I'm the manager and I said , you know , go , do your , go read , put them in , you know .
Speaker 1So right , it's , it's so . It's always like that and a lot of people it's either like you sink , or so you're going to get with the program or you're going to take control of it and and that's why I say you know , just being your own , having control of you , know who you are , what you do and how it's done to you , and being in control of your life , and that's on so many different levels , even spiritually , like you can sit and decide , like I'm going to eat McDonald's every day .
Speaker 1Or you can say you know what ? Like I want to go to the grocery store and buy food and actually cook . Like it's a , it's discipline , it's a decision . And when it comes to things like that I worked in a practice it's a decision . And when it comes to things like that , I worked in a practice for seven years and that thing I was so , it was so toxic and I stayed there because I was like oh , I'm a hard worker and you know I saw these patients and you know I'm all the high producer and everything . But guess what ? In 2020 , when COVID happened , the hard working didn't mean nothing . They had to do what was better . So I'm glad that happened . I always tell people a no is not a no , sometimes it's a redirection or you know not , yet it's just not with them around . Like it's just . Like .
Speaker 2It's just one of those things where you cannot elevate and get to that next level unless you pass your lesson first so I feel like I agree 100% like everything you're saying is literally everything I went through during the pandemic and , and I feel like 100% like everything you're saying is literally everything I went through during the pandemic and and I made like vital , fundamental choices at that moment that have paved me where I am now .
Speaker 2Yes , so you can really look at that two ways . You could have looked at the COVID like a negative way , or you could have sat around and just waited for somebody to hand you something or for something to get better . Or you just take the reins and like I'm going to take advantage of this time . I'm going to do this , this and this and line myself up and you know , and that's just the train of thought , that's that's what separates , I guess , an entrepreneur from someone who's kind of just , you know , just on cruise control , and that's okay too . Not everybody's meant for this lifestyle , but I hope that you know you , hearing us inspires you and encourages you . If you were on the fence of ever thinking like , well , I should do this or that and you weren't sure and you could do it , you know , but it does take . It's gonna take some sacrifices , some disciplines and some hurt .
Speaker 1I read a post where it said entrepreneurship is like jumping off a building and building a plane on your way down , like we don't know what's going on , but we just here , but we just here to get it done , and if we hit the ground before we get it done , then hey , we have to do that and get back up and do it again , but it's like a journey and there are sacrifices and it's hard and it's not for everyone , and I hate the 2024 , like , oh yeah , be your own boss and create this .
Speaker 1you know , create this ebook and do this and do that and get Airbnbs . And like , every time I get on social media , I turn my volume all the way down . I feel like there's like some type of seance happening or some type of mind manipulation . Like I don't listen to any of that stuff . So y'all , the people that are doing their TikToks and the people that are , you know , going with the sounds and making little funny videos I don't even know what those sounds are , because I don't want that to be brainwashed into my mind . So anytime .
Speaker 1I'm on social media I don't have the sound on or anything and I'm literally on there less than 30 minutes a week because I just feel like it will distract you and it will deter you and it might put you off your goal and every day every day I get up and I ask you know , we all have , you know , guides or guardian angels or whatever you want to call them , but we all have a higher power that's guiding us and you know , I have to tap in and be like listen , I need help . What's for me ? Give me clarity . I walk around with crystals clear crystals Like I need clarity on what to do , do , and as soon as I start asking , I start receiving , I start .
Speaker 1You know , things start happening , people start falling around , stuff keep coming out , people just stop . You know , whatever coming around , whatever it is , but it is that clarity that I'm asking for and I feel like if you're listening to crazy , crazy , crazy stuff on social media and then it's in your mind , then those , those thoughts become you and then all of a sudden , you're like why ? Why isn't everything going good ? Lots of confusion , yeah , but as you're working and you're growing and you just keep doing things and you , you know , you you're not worried about anything else , you got those blinders on . There are people who are like Hmm , let me pick this from her or let me pick that from her , and you probably know it as well . With your all things toothy business , someone can come out and be like oh , I'm gonna create this and have no passion about it at all , but they just want to do it because you're doing it and they think you know what .
Speaker 2And I can't be afraid of that because like at the end of the day , like kind of like in hygiene
Staying Authentic Through Entrepreneurial Journey
Speaker 2too . So , real quick , I had this guy . He was a really cool dentist I was working for and this was before I was a hygienist . So he was a really cool dentist I was working for and this was before I was a hygienist . So before I was a hygienist , and I'll make it quick but before I was a hygienist I was an assistant . I was an assistant actually for six years before I became a hygienist and and I was working with him and everything . And actually his wife was a hygienist and you know , it was like the next step for a lot of us assistants , right , that wanted more , were craving more . I actually so funny I wanted to be an orthodontist right out of school but because of financials and my parents and not really having that for me , I had to move out and get my own place and and I became an assistant .
Speaker 2But anyway , I found that I found out about hygiene that that could be like the next level or something that I could keep going in the dental world . And I was just talking to him about it because he seemed like a young guy and pretty cool and he was like no , you know what , you should just stay in assistant because they're just already like the hygiene world saturated . You're not going to really find a job . It's going to be hard because there's only one hygienist per office and this and this . And for a minute I almost was really taking his advice and right , I'm like , oh , he's probably right , yeah , there's like a lot more of us than them and I need job security . And then I say you know what ? There's only one me . The way I do it , the way I come in , the way I talk , the way I look , the way I'm going to handle the situation , it's me . So it don't matter if there's 100 hygienists applying , like I'm going to bring me , and that comes to anything that you do and you bring to the table like someone's going to do the same thing , and that's okay . You are just going to be you . You're the original you . There's nothing like you . There's this , that's it right .
Speaker 2So people are gonna , you know , make their own styles and designs and that's good , like that is good , because that's them . And I mean I can only be me . So at the end of the day , that people . I can only support them and be like you know what ? Good , try , do it , because you might have a different look than I do . You might have a completely different style and maybe people need that , maybe you don't .
Speaker 2There's somebody for somebody , right ? So anybody that you know has seen what I'm doing and likes what I'm doing and I hopefully I've encouraged them . I'm for them , right , and you know so , right , yeah , people are . And if you don't have a real passion , you're just out there like , well , I'm gonna do that because I see someone doing that , then it might fizzle out and then you won't get that satisfaction . So , definitely listening to podcasts like this and turning to mentors that could help guide you into like , really what , what is good for you , and see what you really like , that will keep your drive . You know , cause you see something online you're like , well , I want to do that too . You should try . You should try and and I encourage you to do it and and you might like it , and then you might not like it and see all the hard work . It goes , that goes into it .
Speaker 1Right , but right because you do it , because you're passionate about it . And then your mentors like get a mentor . You see someone that's doing something and you know , see if that person will mentor you . I would say mentor . Mentorship is something that you should outgrow your mentor and your mentor should be happy to see it happen .
Speaker 1We live in a society where your mentors are not cheering for you after you reach a certain point , and it's just the society and it has nothing to do with any , I think , person . But it's like you know they always say the people that bought the tickets you know are the same people booing . Like you have to realize that support is not it is . It is going to be what it is . You just have to keep going . Let's just say that yeah exactly Keep trying .
Speaker 2And you know what ? I'm always an open door , I'm an open book . If anybody ever is like , hey , well , what do you think about this or that , I'm , I'm gonna . I wear my heart on my sleeve , I'm gonna , I'm gonna tell you . I'm gonna tell you what I think I'm gonna , I'm gonna be honest and I'm gonna be helpful , like because I want to see you shine and and really , for other creators , I I think like that's great , because you know you can get caught up in in stuff like that , like , oh well , what if someone's gonna do something similar to me ? That's good , because I'm me and I'm always gonna have my own style and that's it . Like that's all I could do is just focus on me and what I'm doing and you know making sure that I'm staying original and you know that's that's what just all separates us . Right is just I'm just shot a right um , just this mixed girl living in California and you know getting tans and you know , and cleaning teeth and making bags . So that's me .
Speaker 1So so that's more . That's more than enough . Well , thank you so much for you know being on this episode of the podcast . I know it was it's really short , but it was definitely much needed
Dental Hygienist Advocacy and Connection
Speaker 1. Where can people find you if they wanted to reach out and get more information ?
Speaker 2yes , so I , you can find me online , and that's the thing too being careful with social media but at the same time , like , if you want to connect with positive people , look , look for the people that have your similar interests and and connect with them , because that's really what the platform's for right , with connecting with those that want to see you grow . So you can find me at smiles by say those that want to see you grow . So you can find me at smiles by say or my name's Sade , but I make it , it's easy . It's S-A-D-E , underscore R-D-H-A-P , and I'm just here for you . I'm here to you know , be your friend .
Speaker 2If you just want to talk dental , if you want to know you know , hey , well , what do you think it would take for you know , for hygienists to get expanded in my state ? I'll give you some ideas , because I am a board member here in California . I'm very serious about hygiene and hygienist independence . So my ultimate goal is to see hygienist independent in each state and seeing a license that is more universal throughout the country for those who really want that , who want to go that extra mile and have that kind of independence , because , at the end of the day , you know who benefits the community benefits , right . You know they deserve to get a good quality cleaning and they don't need to be , you know . You know waiting around if they don't have to . So I'm here , I'm just an open ear . I'm here for ideas and anything really . You know you can reach out to me anytime .
Speaker 1All right , guys , that's another episode , thank you , bye , bye .
