Prevention over intervention & a case for biological dentistry | Amanda Hale, RDH
In this interview, dental hygienist Amanda Hale highlights the transformative impact of a supportive work environment, her passion for promoting curvy representation & her future as a holistic practitioner.
Amanda Hale shares her bubbly personality and passion for a natural approach to life & dental practice in this conversation. Through her unconventional journey into the field of dental hygiene & early professional experience, she recognizes the importance of a supportive work environment to foster professional growth. She highlights her Instagram initiative, @TheCurvyScaler, which promotes representation for curvy dental professionals and the doors it has opened. Amanda expresses a vision for the future, which includes pursuing a biological dental hygiene program integrating holistic approaches, crafting, and even a “fluffy farm”.
Erin Fawl
Hey, Amanda, thank you for joining me.
Amanda Hale
Hi, Erin. My pleasure.
Erin Fawl
It’s so good to get a chance to sit down and talk to you. And, you know, find out a little bit more about you and your journey to become a dental hygienist. How did you get started?
Amanda Hale
I feel like, oh my gosh, my origin story. Um, I never even thought about healthcare. When I was in high school, it was not something that was on my radar. I planned on doing something like computer science or information technology. And long story short, I only survived a week away at college, hated it, hated everything that was about it, called my dad, he was more than happy to come get me he didn’t want me to go. Coming home felt like a failure. I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing. I literally had kind of a cry out to God moment. And I thought of my hygienist in that moment, which I had never thought of my hygienist outside of that. So that was honestly only the first time I had ever even considered health care, much less dental hygiene. And I just kind of started pursuing it. So I am from New Mexico originally. And so my dad, that first week I came back home. I think the next day he was like, Alright, you’re gonna go to the UNM-Valencia campus, and you’re gonna get the ball rolling, you’re not gonna not go to college? Yeah. So I did all of my prerequisite work. And I got accepted into the University of New Mexico. And I graduated in 2008. Definitely not one of the best economies ever. So that’s all. That’s a whole other story. Yes. So I’ve seen some things in many ways. So that was, that was kind of how I got into dental hygiene. I can’t say that it was my passion. I think it’s been a career that I have grown to love. And so I’ve not experienced burnout, I had a lot of difficulty when I graduated, really understanding like, What is this supposed to look like? What is like, really, really kind of struggling to feel validated with where I was at. And I think it was more just, I was not working in a great office. I wasn’t really supported as a new grad. I’ve had some very toxic, very toxic co-workers. And I’ve been through many, many offices. But I finally wound up at a phenomenal office that just invested in me. Like nobody else I’ve ever experienced, like I bought my first pair of loops with a light. So that was a big deal. So no, no, I mean, I know, right? Like, I can’t, not now, but it was probably eight years of practice before I had my first pair of loops.
Erin Fawl
Isn’t that interesting how a different office can set you up for success, if that’s really what their goal is, like, we want the people in our office to be successful. Feel that, you know, they can take a break, you know, they have the tools that they need, versus let’s just turn these patients through, you know what I mean? That makes all the difference? I feel like
Amanda Hale
100% – so not even the hygienist in the office had loupes. The assistants had loupes. Yes. There was expectation, but it was, I expect this of you, but I will set you up for success. And that is definitely a mindset, a mind shift, a paradigm shift. that not a lot of practices have.
Erin Fawl
People respond to that, too. You know, it’s investing in people. It sounds corny, but it’s so true that investing in people, you get that back tenfold because people feel good, they feel taken care of. They feel like they have what they need. If you’re always putting everything together with duct tape, you know, it’s hard to be excited about your day at your job. I think that’s true for any profession.
Amanda Hale
Yeah, no, 100%
Erin Fawl
Yeah. Well, that’s great. I mean, I totally understand what you’re saying about growing to love your profession. I think that’s true of a lot of things. You know, it’s like, I think, looking from the outside, you might think that percussion doesn’t sound super exciting, but in the inside, you know, when you know, the details, or you know, the functions, I think that, you know, that adds a lot of context you can’t see from the outside and it makes it a lot more interesting. So that makes perfect sense.
Amanda Hale
Yeah, 100% you know, anytime you have a patient that’s like, Oh, I could not do what you guys do, because they’re focused on growth. And it’s like, you know, what I do is more than clean teeth. It’s the relationships that I have. It’s how to help people. It’s just getting those aha moments with families or making those connections. It’s so much more than just cleaning teeth. Right?
Erin Fawl
Right. Right and so great. And that that part of it is so amazing. So, think about your Instagram @TheCurvyScaler account. So how did that get started? And what opportunities have that opened up to you?
Amanda Hale
Correct. So one of my passions and I guess, stress relief is crafting. And as I was at a conference called pinners, which is Pinterest, so you can imagine classes all day on all things creative. And one of the classes that I took was on I think she specifically had it talking about how to be an influencer, because this term, Ghosh was kind of getting turned around, right influencer. What’s the difference between an influencer brand ambassador, all these things like I wasn’t familiar with it, I was more on I guess, the consumer side of things at the time. I never really considered having an account. Anyway, So I was sitting in this class, just kind of learning about this person’s experience with being an influencer. And just she was talking about a niche market, and being true to yourself and finding those things that you’re like, Man, I wish there was somebody that was doing this, like, what would you love to consume? That you’re not seeing out there on Instagram, on Facebook on whatever social media platform I was like? Well, you know, I’ve, I’ve always been a little bit bigger on the plus size. And there’s not been a lot of, I don’t want to say representation, per se, but just somebody that has been walking my path, if you will. And so I was kind of sitting there in this class going, you know, I’ve always hated buying scrubs, I love shopping, but I hate buying scrubs. It’s just not fun. So, I mean, there’s been so many brands, and there’s been a lot of changes within even just purchasing scrubs, and the type of Scrubs that are offered within the last 15 years since I’ve been practicing, that it does make it a lot more fun. But there has been a little bit more limit in sizing. incising. So I just wanted to first off, start just bringing awareness. I don’t say normalizing, but just letting other curvy scalars see that there is some representation that hey, I’m out there, you know, being awesome. Live in my life. You can’t? Yeah, I’m in my scrubs. So that’s kind of how it started. And I’ve always had a passion for small business. I grew up my great grandparents were small business owners, my grandparents were small business owners. My parents were small business owners. So I was the first one to go to college and say, no, no, I want to clock out at the end of the day. And now I’m, I’m kind of turning that and going, Man, I love what I do. But I would love to be able to either support small businesses or have my own one day. And so that’s kind of another aspect of the curvy scaler and specifically with scrubs, I work with a couple of small business owners. That’s exclusively what they do is we are here for scrubs for healthcare. Obviously, that’s what you wear scrubs for but for dental and nursing. And so I love to work with them. But it’s also provided me with a new opportunity. Here in Utah, I run a social media channel for a consulting company called hygiene elevated. ran by Joffrey. But along and she kind of reached out to me, she said, Hey, I love what you’re doing. Come help me. And it’s kind of developed into this like a dental bestie hood. She has her own thing going. I have my own thing. And then we kind of came together. And I’m like we were at the UDHR, a recent conference, and we launched an apparel line and we were getting our podcast information out to people and so many things, so many things. So it has just kind of opened doors that I never would have thought of. And just having Joffrey in my life like I think we kind of empower each other a little bit. We started going to Rdh under one roof. I had never traveled on my own to go to a conference that was just for hygienists and after the first time Joffrey and I met within a couple months he was like hey, what do you think about going to Rdh under one roof? It was in Orlando, and we’re in Utah. And we’ve only known each other a couple of months. So I’m like, Sure, why not? So we did and it was awesome. And we went to Tennessee this last year for Rdh under one roof, and we attended the evolution portion, which is kind of a little bit more of a gosh, I guess, dental hygienist discipleship of just pouring in from some incredible people. Yeah. So it’s the doors that have opened and just the paths that have been made known to me, I would have never, never ever sought us before.
Erin Fawl
Isn’t that amazing? So when I hear you talking, it’s what it sounds to me like is that you took those first steps after the pinner conference, to kind of put yourself out there because I asked some really incisive questions, and you took those steps to put yourself out there. And through doing that you found all these doors that you didn’t even know would open for you. And all you know, is connection with Joffrey? Yeah, so you know, I’m thinking if I was a student, or new grad, right now sitting here, you know, looking at you and looking at your career and everything you’ve built, I’d be thinking, How do I get there? What would be your recommendation? Because to me, I feel like that’s what you did, you put yourself out there, but what would you say to add to that?
Amanda Hale
Isn’t that amazing? So when I hear you talking, it’s what it sounds to me like is that you took those first steps after the pinner conference, to kind of put yourself out there because I askedUm, definitely, I think something that we talked about a lot. And even at the Rdh, under one roof is imposter syndrome. You kind of feel for you if you’re on social media, you look at other people, and you see all these, like, really well done social media accounts and reels. And, you know, I look at my stuff sometimes. And I’m like, that is so crappy.
Erin Fawl
Yeah, yeah
Amanda Hale
Exactly. But never underestimate the value that you can bring. Because somebody needs to hear it. Somebody needs it, somebody wants it. And that’s kind of the beauty of social media is, you’re not for everybody. And that’s fine. Yeah. But for those people that you can encourage man, that that’s your tribe, those are your people. And it’s fine. And just embrace that and don’t be afraid of failure as much as it’s constantly something that we’re always afraid of. But what’s the worst that can happen? Right, you know.
Erin Fawl
I think that’s so true. And I think that’s a practice, you’re not being afraid of failure. And I think that, you know, if I can remember back to being, you know, that new grad sort of thing or that age, you know, I think you think at some point, you get to a point where you’re over that that’s over and you’re you’re no longer afraid to fail, you’re, you’re you’re totally confident everything you’re doing. But it’s like, it’s so not true in reality, you know, what I mean? It’s practice, and you just have to keep, keep going, keep talking keep taking steps forward, you know
Amanda Hale
There was, I’m gonna paraphrase it. But when we were at the RDH revolution, one of the things that they brought up, and I had heard this concept before, but failure is just being or exceeding success is just constantly being uncomfortable. Not being afraid to fail, means you’re going out on a limb and you’re trying something new, you’re not going to be great at it the first time you do it, the more you do it, the better you’re going to get at it, right. We tell our patients all the time with flossing, yeah, it’s gonna suck. It’s gonna feel like such a burden. But, you know, as a hygienist we breeze through and it’s like, Yes, I can do this in 30 seconds. So just like anything, the more you practice it, the more competent you’re gonna be. And there’s always going to be oops, moments and anytime, like, you follow an influencer, like the one the great ones, like beyond me that have 1000s and 1000s of followers. It’s always nice to see when they mess up. Because it gives them like, yes, it’s not just me, they messed up too. So not that I’m looking for failures from other people, but it’s just that yes, they’re real.
Erin Fawl
The other people are human. Yeah. Oh, I mean, I always really enjoy that. And that’s yeah, I’m totally with you. It’s just nice. It’s funny when you know, to be like, I like going. It’s like a perfect video. And then at the end, there’ll be like blooper reels where it’s like, like, I just turned the camera on, it was like perfection all the way through, and I just like, breezed my way through it.
Amanda Hale
And that it actually takes time. Yeah. effort and time. It’s not flawless. Right.
Erin Fawl
Right. And I love that I think the more that we can share things like this, you know, it’s great to hear that like you didn’t necessarily know where you were going in your career when you started. You put yourself out there and weren’t afraid to fail and just continue to take steps and here you are. So we’re so where do you go now?
Amanda Hale
Hopefully on 50 acres in the middle of nowhere. If you would have told me three years ago that I would be having this conversation with you, I’d be like, what? Seriously, um, something that my husband and I have kind of always wanted is to have some land. And I think the past few years since COVID, I think in hygiene, but in medicine, in general, there’s been a paradigm shift. There’s been a lot more awareness of ingredients of things that have effects on our body. I think a lot of lifestyle is really coming to the forefront for a lot of people. And a few connections that I was able to make at Rdh evolution were a couple of hygienists who had just graduated from a biological dental hygiene program. And I didn’t know such a thing existed. And so I will be starting that process of getting that certification. I would somehow love to become either a dental hygiene coach for patients and be able to do some sort of teledentistry. What that looks like, I have no idea. But um, I would love to be able to reach those people that are kind of looking for more of that holistic homeopathic lifestyle. Yeah. And so yeah, I don’t exactly know what that looks like. I know that there’s, there’s a lot of things, again, paradigm changing products coming out ways that we can help and maybe treat patients. And maybe I have some sort of a hybrid program. I don’t know. I don’t know.
Erin Fawl
Maybe less invasive, less chemicals – more emphasis on prevention before you get to a point where you need drilling, etc.
Amanda Hale
Exactly. So this is my own personal, maybe crazy thought. But I feel like there’s gonna come a time where hygiene is going to almost be its own thing. People are really going to be seeking out prevention, and not just oh, going to the dentist means occasionally I get cavities. I think people are really going to start to realize, Wait, I don’t have to have cavities. Yeah. Maybe I do have a predisposition to gum disease. But how can I modulate that with my lifestyle or with testing or different things? So again, what that looks like, I’m not 100% at this point. But one of the coolest things right now with the podcast is that Jeffrey and I have hygiene, elevated conversations and innovations. We have the ability to reach out and learn about a bunch of different products. So for instance, we just interviewed Haley Buckner with Elevate oral care. And I don’t know if you’re familiar with SDF silver diamine fluoride.
Erin Fawl
I’m not. It’s amazing. Okay.
Amanda Hale
Listen to our podcast. It was incredibly educational. But I mean, such a paradigm shift for something that we as hygienists are able to apply. Get paid for, there’s an insurance reimbursement but we can prevent caries, you know, a regular six months recall, in addition to or in place of a regular fluoride varnish. So there’s just so many things that are coming I mean, biofilm therapy, the spacing it but the fine sandblasting with it, big rage, that one. So there’s just I think there’s so many things that are coming to the forefront and just really changing dentistry right now.
Erin Fawl
You’re right, it sounds like products & processes are shifting. I just recently had a cavity filled. Well, I had a filling break, rather. And I had a crown. And that’s just basic, just simple. I feel so much more interested in taking care of my teeth now. My routine is intense and I would love to go to hygiene appointments every three months. You’re so right. I think that’s where things will go: towards prevention.
Amanda Hale
The way our parents or grandparents did it just every so often you had to have you ever had to have a cavity drilled, expected dentures. I think I’m hearing less and less of that. ‘No, I want to keep my teeth.’ Yes. Awesome. I’m here to help you do that. Let’s make a plan.
Erin Fawl
So then with your land, what will you be doing? Will you have animals and things like that?
Amanda Hale
All the above – pretty much anything fluffy. So I would love to call it the fluffy farm, but obviously it needs to make money. Yeah, so alpaca, along with the whole idea of dentistry and products becoming less and less processed with fewer ingredients. I think there is also going to be a huge push of, well, I want to know where my food comes from food security is an issue and even, other products that come from animals, whether it’s face creams, the huge thing right now is tallow using animal products, you know, completely and knowing where those ingredients come from, knowing that they’re not having harsh effects, blocking your endocrine system, all those things. So not even just to be self-sufficient for ourselves, but to provide a service and to have food.
Erin Fawl
So yes, that’s very exciting. And I would love to come to your fluffy farm! If you ever opened it up to the public.
Amanda Hale
I would love tha!. So my husband and I are actually leaving for vacation soon. And we are agro tourists. But that is what I do. Yeah. So basically we stayed at farms along the way of our trip. And you get to experience different things. And so we’ve stayed at Bison ranches, and alpaca farms and Gator farms and lavender farms and just gotten to see and experience and learn so much through that whole process. So it’s been a lot of fun. Yeah, it’s a lot of fun.
Erin Fawl
That’s so cool. That’s so good. Well, we’ll be excited to hear how your vacation went. Once you’re back, I appreciate you sitting down with me and I would love to do it again in the future. Yeah, absolutely. Thanks, Amanda.
Amanda Hale
My pleasure is nice meeting you. You too.
Learn more about Amanda and follow @TheCurvyScaler on Instagram.
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