Episode Details

What does it look like when you walk away from something you’ve spent seven years building, only to create an entirely new definition of success?

In this episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast, Irene sits down with Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, CDIPC, a dental hygienist, educator, international speaker, author, entrepreneur, and independent practice owner with over 25 years of experience in dentistry.

Michelle has never followed a conventional path in dental hygiene. From co-founding A Tale of Two Hygienists, one of the industry’s earliest and most recognized dental hygiene podcasts, to building Level Up Infection Prevention and establishing herself as a leader in dental education, Michelle has spent her career challenging what it means to be a dental hygienist.

But what happens when the career you’ve built no longer aligns with the future you want?

Michelle opens up about her decision to leave a seven-year podcast partnership, the realities of making difficult business decisions, and the importance of protecting your name, likeness, and professional interests when stepping away from something you’ve helped create.

Today, Michelle is the owner of Smile Logic, an independent, prevention-focused dental hygiene practice in Broomfield, Colorado. After years of travelling, educating, and embracing a more nomadic lifestyle, she made the leap into practice ownership, navigating everything from financial due diligence and seller negotiations to securing financing as a non-dentist owner.

Her journey also inspired her book, Independent by Design: A Dental Hygienist’s Journey to Practice Ownership, where she shares the lessons, challenges, and personal growth that shaped her path to independence.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

▪️Why Michelle left A Tale of Two Hygienists after seven years
▪️The challenges of walking away from a successful podcast partnership
▪️Protecting your name, likeness, and professional interests in business
▪️Transitioning from a nomadic lifestyle to independent dental practice ownership
▪️Financial due diligence and what to look for when purchasing a dental practice
▪️Working with the previous owner during a practice transition
▪️Securing financing when traditional banks won’t lend to a non-dentist practice owner
▪️Redefining professional success, independence, and career fulfillment in dental hygiene

Whether you’re a dental hygienist, entrepreneur, aspiring practice owner, podcast creator, or someone navigating a major career transition, this episode is a reminder that walking away from something successful doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Sometimes, it’s how you make room for what comes next.

Connect with Michelle:

Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, CDIPC:
https://www.michellestrangerdh.com/

Michelle Strange on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/michellestrangerdh/?hl=en

Level Up Infection Prevention:
https://www.levelupip.com/

Independent by Design: A Dental Hygienist’s Journey to Practice Ownership:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0H8TT44RF

Smile Logic Dental Hygiene Practice:
https://www.smile-logic.com/contact/

If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment.

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

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https://rrdh.ca

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💁🏼‍♀️Personal Instagram @Toothlife.Ire