Anne Rice, RDH, BS, has spent more than 35 years as a clinical dental hygienist — and the last several years working at the intersection of oral health and Alzheimer's prevention. In this live conversation recorded at ADHA's Integrated Care Summit 2026, Anne joins host Matt Crespin to talk about why reducing oral inflammation is a direct act of brain health protection, how blood pressure is a non-negotiable clinical data point, and what hygienists can say chairside to connect the dots for patients. She also makes the case for why dental hygienists need to start showing up in medical spaces — and stop waiting to be invited. The brain health conversation needs us at the table.

Guest: Anne Rice, RDH, BS, FAAOSH, CDP

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

Important Links:

www.alz.org

www.adha2026.org

www.adha.org/events

ADHA has been building its federal presence, and this spring marked a milestone: members on Capitol Hill for the profession's first formal lobby day in 20 years. President Lancette VanGuilder and Advocacy Advisory Committee Chair Alyssa Aberle sit down with Matt Crespin to break down what brought the Advocacy Advisory Committee, ADHA leadership and sponsoring organizations to Washington on April 16, with three specific asks spanning community water fluoridation, Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement for hygienists, and expanded FSA/HSA access for oral care products. They share what the reception was really like, why some offices had never met with a dental hygienist before, and what it felt like to walk through their own state's office doors and make the case for the profession. The follow-ups are already coming in. This is what showing up looks like.

Guests: Alyssa Aberle, MBA, RDH, FADHA; Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, PHEDH, CEAS, FADHA

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

What does truly integrated care look like in practice? Host Matt Crespin captured the conversations at ADHA's first-ever Integrated Care Summit in Broomfield, Colorado this past weekend — bringing together physicians, dentists, periodontists, and public health professionals making the case for breaking down silos. (1:56) Dr. Mychi Nguyen, Chief Medical Officer at Asian Health Services, shares how a patient's powerful words — "How can I be healthy if I don't have teeth?" — launched a dental clinic at her FQHC and explains the AHA's Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative transforming dental visits into preventive health opportunities. (8:48) AGD President-elect George J. Schmidt reflects on the growing ADHA-AGD collaboration. (15:19) Dr. Elizabeth Ramos of the American Academy of Periodontology makes the case for hygienists as key communicators of the perio-systemic connection. (24:08) Michael Lazzara, VP of International Business Development of Dento, introduces oral health biomarker testing that gives patients real-time data to motivate behavior change. And (35:37) Holly Kingsbury of the Colorado Community Health Network walks through a promising model for integrating behavioral health screenings into dental visits at FQHCs statewide.

Guests: Mychi Nguyen, MD; George J. Schmidt, DMD, FAGD, FICOI; Elizabeth D. Ramos, DDS, MSD, EdD; Michael Lazzara, Dento; Holly Kingsbury, MPH

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA