Liz has been with Perio protect as the Group practice/ DSO liaison for three and half years bringing 34 plus years of clinical hygiene experience and some improvisational acting skills. In 2019 she won the Dentistry got talent Vendor contest with her comical patient view presentation. Prior to joining Perio protect she was a Director of Clinical Hygiene at a DSO. Liz has experience authoring articles in print and online in the US and Internationally. She shares her working knowledge of products, techniques, communication, team development, policies and procedures lecturing to the next generation of the dental profession. As a hygiene fusion coach Liz trained entire teams on interoffice communication as well as case presentation to patients. Liz’s enthusiasm and entertaining personality allow others to feel that they can practice the way they want to, and to make sure they can Liz will be there to mentor them along the way!
5 tips on becoming a dental hygienist
By: Liz Nies RDH, BS Thinking of becoming a dental hygienist? I highly recommend it. Dental hygienists…
The Year-End Bonus Headache No One Warned You About
By: Garrett Wilson As we head into the start of 2026, it’s worth reflecting on what happened in 2025 so we don’t repeat the same mistakes. Few topics created more tension at year-end than bonuses and holiday gifts. If you spend any time in dental social media groups, you saw it firsthand—frustration from employees and…
Beautiful Smile Design Case using a Fully Digital Workflow
By: John C. Cranham, DDS This topic originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Cranham granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. My professional journey in dentistry has been deeply influenced by my time in the Pankey Institute and other continuing education courses. My early career focused on integrating cosmetic digital dentistry with sound occlusal concepts….
Want Better Results? Make It Easier
Remove Friction – Unlock Consistency By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IGNITEDDS Dental Hygiene Coach The Question That Changes Everything How Are We Making It Easy? Most dental teams want to do excellent work. They want to accurately diagnose, thoroughly document, and provide care that truly supports long-term health. Yet despite good intentions, consistency often slips….
How Dentistry Affects the People You Love: Part 1
How Dentistry Quietly Changes Your Relationships By: Dr. Sable Muntean Dentistry is a deeply rewarding profession. Every day, you transform smiles, ease pain, and build trust with your patients. But behind the satisfaction lies a hidden cost—your personal relationships. If you’ve ever felt tension at home after a long day, noticed that your partner seems…
Busy ≠ Profitable: The February Reality Check Every Practice Owner Needs
By: Dr. David Rice While January often feels like a fresh start – schedules filling fast – production firing on all cylinders – and that sense that this is the year everything finally clicks … Like our diet and gym new year’s resolutions – February arrives and … The practice is still busy, but stress…
The Sugar Crisis: The Link to Oral-Systemic Health
By: Paul Henny, DDSThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Henny granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. According to the CDC, one in three Americans will be diabetic by 2050 if we don’t make significant course corrections. By that same time, 42% of the population is expected to be obese, a condition…
Why the Money Isn’t Showing Up: Part 2
The Front Desk Systems That Make or Break Cash FlowDid you miss Part One? Catch up on Why the Money Isn’t Showing Up, Part 1 👉 By: Dawn Patrick, COO and Dental Business Strategy Coach, IGNITEDDS Let’s be honest — Cash flow problems usually don’t start with insurance. They start with unclear financial conversations. 1….
Buying a Dental Practice Is the Easy Part—Earning the Team’s Trust Is the Real Work
By: Ronda Holman Purchasing an existing dental practice offers a significant advantage: a team that already knows your patients, systems, and practice culture. However, one critical factor doesn’t automatically transfer with ownership—trust. Building trust with your new team requires intention, patience, and thoughtful leadership. 1. Listen More Than You Lead in the First Weeks When…
Would It Even Matter If I Wasn’t Here?
By: Eric Recker I froze. Where were those thoughts coming from and why were they in MY head? It was the end of yet another chaotic day in my practice. A day of all alone at the top as my team of eighteen left the office to go about their normal lives outside of the…
How Young Dentists Can Succeed with Debt
By: Dr. James Pitts As a former practicing General Dentist, I understand the challenges all Dentists face concerning debt. Over the last 10 years, the student loan debt problem has reached crisis levels. The cost of dental education has risen faster than inflation, leaving most young Dentists with student loan debt of $400,000 or more….