Rooting Within Health
Rooting Within Health explores the powerful connections between oral health and overall systemic wellness, while addressing critical issues in the dental industry that often go unspoken. Hosted by Kimberly W. Williamson, RDH, CIHC, RYT, this podcast goes beyond the surface to examine how oral health impacts our entire body, mind, and quality of life.
Through a hybrid approach of solo episodes and conversations with healthcare professionals, wellness experts, and individuals navigating their own health journeys, we'll dive into topics that matter. From oral-systemic health connections, workplace wellness and culture in healthcare settings, to behavior modifications for sustainable health to the urgent need for advocacy and reform within the dental industry - no topic is off limits.
Whether you're a dental professional seeking community and validation, a healthcare worker facing workplace challenges, or someone interested in holistic approaches to health, this podcast creates space for honest conversations and meaningful change. We're here to educate, empower, and build community around the issues that matter most - because true health starts from within, and change begins when we're willing to speak up.
Rooting Within Health
Episode 5: North of the Border: What Canada Gets Right About Dental Hygiene
What if dental hygienists in every state could open their own practices, set their own hours, and bill patients directly - without a dentist signing off on every decision?
That’s not a fantasy. It’s Canada. And they’ve been doing it for decades.
In this episode of Rooting Within Health, Kimberly Williamson dives into how Canadian hygienists achieved self-regulation - and why the American system is designed to keep clinicians limited. She covers:
• The 30+ year timeline of Canadian self-regulation
• How the ADA removed “dental hygiene diagnosis” from our standards — with no evidence
• The GDC research showing direct access is safe
• Why dental boards dominated by dentists create a conflict of interest
• The real reason behind the hygienist shortage — and why OPAs aren’t the answer
• What we can actually do to demand change
This episode is for every dental professional who’s ever felt silenced, overlooked, or stuck in a system that wasn’t built for them.