Not all hygienists are created equal: Real talk on value and skill with Melissa Obrotka
In this unapologetically honest episode, David and Pam sit down with Melissa Obrotka, aka the Badass Dental Hygienist, for a real conversation about why not all hygienists—and not all hygiene careers—are created equal.
In this week's episode, Pam and David dig into what it truly means to practice at the top of your license, why skill and calibration matter, and how elevating your value can transform your earning potential. They also confront the long-standing divide between dentists and hygienists and explore what it will take to build respect, alignment, and stronger teams across the industry. If you’re ready for a conversation that challenges norms and inspires growth, you won’t want to miss this one.
Pamela Maragliano, DMD, is the chief editor of Dental Economics. Based in Salem, Massachusetts, Dr. Maragliano began her clinical career as a dental hygienist. She went on to attend Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her doctorate in dental medicine. She then attended the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dental Medicine, where she became board-certified in prosthodontics. Dr. Maragliano owns a private practice, Salem Dental Arts, and lectures on a variety of clinical topics. You may contact her at [email protected].
Chief Editor of DentistryIQ and Founder of igniteDDS
As seen on The Doctors, David R. Rice, DDS, chief editor of DentistryIQ and founder of igniteDDS, the nation’s largest new dentist and student community, travels the world speaking, writing, and connecting today’s top young dentists with tomorrow’s most successful dental practices. He leads a team-centered, restorative and implant practice in East Amherst, New York. With 28 years of practice in the books, he’s trained at the Pankey Institute, the Dawson Academy, Spear Education, and most prolifically at the school of hard knocks.
