In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, co-hosts David Torres and Jessica Atkinson sit down with Melia Lewis, MEd, to discuss the critical role dental hygienists play in supporting patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Drawing from her personal experience with her father's cancer diagnosis, Melia brings a deeply meaningful perspective to the conversation. She highlights the emotional and clinical impact of cancer care, and how dental hygienists can become essential advocates and providers within a patient's healthcare journey.

Key topics discussed include:

* Melia's personal journey navigating her father's cancer diagnosis and how it shaped her professional perspective.

*Whether dental hygiene should be more formally integrated into oncology care.

*The importance of resilience and understanding why the work hygienists do truly matters.

*Common oral side effects experienced by cancer patients and how to recognize them.

*How hygienists can tailor appointments to better support patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Rather than viewing care as routine, this episode challenges listeners to approach each patient—especially those facing serious health conditions—with intention, empathy, and clinical adaptability. Melia offers insight into how hygienists can elevate their role and make a meaningful difference during some of their patients' most vulnerable moments.

This episode is a must-listen for hygienists who want to expand their understanding of patient-centered care and play a more active role in supporting individuals through complex health challenges.

Call to Action:

Take time to deepen your understanding of how systemic health conditions, like cancer, impact oral health. Look for opportunities to adapt your care approach and advocate for patients who may need more personalized support.

Connect with Melia Lewis:

Email: melia@hygieneedge.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melia-lewis/

In this episode, Alyssa Aberle shares her powerful personal journey through a patient diagnosis, surgery, and tongue reconstruction, offering a perspective that deeply resonates with dental professionals. The conversation emphasizes the critical role hygienists play in early detection of oral cancer and why cutting corners is never an option when it comes to patient care.

Alyssa, along with David and Jessica, dives into practical strategies for oral cancer screenings, including how to communicate findings with confidence and compassion. They also discuss when and how to refer patients to specialists, ensuring the best possible outcomes. A key highlight is the discussion around effective screening scripts and the importance of the 10–14 day rule in monitoring suspicious lesions.

What We Talked About:

Alyssa's personal experience with her patients diagnosis, surgery, and tongue reconstruction

The responsibility of dental professionals to thoroughly screen for oral cancer

Why you should never cut corners during exams

How to confidently refer patients and choose the right specialist

Verbiage and scripts that build trust during oral cancer screenings

Understanding and applying the 10–14 day rule

Call to Action:

This episode is designed to empower dental hygienists to take ownership of their role in patient care. By listening, you'll gain the confidence, language, and clinical mindset needed to perform thorough screenings and advocate for your patients' health.

Resources and Links:

Connect with Alyssa: linktr.ee/alyssardh

alyssa.aberle@gmail.com

In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, co-hosts David Torres and Jessica Atkinson welcome renowned speaker and dental educator Jo-Anne Jones for an impactful conversation titled "Oral Cancer Screening: Stepping Fully Into Your Role."

Jo-Anne shares deeply personal and professional insights that challenge clinicians to recognize the true life-saving potential of routine dental visits. Through powerful storytelling and clinical expertise, she highlights the urgency of early detection—especially in the face of rising HPV-related cancers—and encourages hygienists to fully embrace their role in comprehensive screenings.

From explaining the intraoral "triangle of death" to demonstrating proper neck palpation techniques, Jo-Anne provides practical, actionable strategies clinicians can implement immediately. She also reflects on how a personal crisis shaped her mission in dentistry and reinforces why every screening appointment should be treated as an opportunity to save a life.

This episode is both inspiring and educational, equipping dental professionals with the knowledge and confidence to elevate their oral cancer screening protocols and patient care.

"What We Talked About (From Jo-Anne's Perspective)"

Why Jo-Anne is passionate about saving lives—HPV, rising cancers, and one family's loss

How Jo-Anne approaches the intraoral "triangle of death" exam

How a personal crisis launched Jo-Anne's mission in dentistry

Why Jo-Anne believes this is a life-saving appointment

How Jo-Anne performs proper neck palpation

Simple screening steps Jo-Anne recommends hygienists start today

Why Jo-Anne uses screening tools in clinical practice

Call to Action

If you found this episode valuable, be sure to subscribe to A Tale of Two Hygienists, leave a review, and share it with colleagues who are committed to improving patient care and early detection.

Resources:

HPV Talking Points Resource: www.rdhu.ca/hpvtalkingpointsresource

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjlifeandtimes/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-anne-jones-88a2266/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jo.anne.jones.626106/