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The Aligned Hygienist
The Aligned Hygienist is your essential guide to thriving in the dental profession with purpose, passion, and a powerful sense of alignment. Join Caitlin Parsons, Registered Dental Hygienist turned Certified Yoga Therapist, Ergonomic Consultant, and wellness advocate, as she shares her insights and brings together inspiring voices from across the dental field. In each episode, Caitlin and her guests dive into today's dental professionals' real-life challenges and opportunities, offering actionable strategies to overcome pain, manage stress, enhance ergonomics, and boost overall well-being.
From solo deep dives to engaging conversations with industry leaders, The Aligned Hygienist is designed to empower you with tools and knowledge that help elevate your career, enhance patient care, and support healthcare’s larger mission. Whether you’re here to fine-tune your ergonomic practices, learn from the experiences of other practitioners, or find alignment in your work and life, this podcast is your invitation to grow, transform, and thrive.
Subscribe to The Aligned Hygienist and join Caitlin on a journey to reshape what’s possible for you, your patients, and the future of dentistry.
Be sure to follow me on Instagram if we're not connected yet, @thealignedhygienist - I would love to hear what you think!
The Aligned Hygienist
73. Burnout to Balance: A Hygienist’s Guide to Thriving in Dentistry with Heather DeYoung
Burnout is a reality for many dental professionals, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your career. In this episode of The Aligned Hygienist, I sit down with Heather DeYoung, a practicing hygienist and burnout coach, to discuss the hidden dangers of chronic stress in dentistry and how to build a sustainable, fulfilling career.
We get real about what burnout looks like, why so many hygienists experience it, and—most importantly—how to recognize the warning signs before it takes over your life. Heather shares her personal journey of overcoming burnout, the emotional and physical toll it took, and how she transformed her struggles into a passion for helping others.
🚀 In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ The biggest misconceptions about burnout and why it happens in dentistry
✅ How mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion can show up in unexpected ways
✅ The importance of nervous system regulation in managing workplace stress
✅ Why movement, mindfulness, and mindset shifts are key to long-term career success
✅ Practical burnout recovery strategies you can start using today
✅ How to advocate for yourself in the workplace and create boundaries that support your well-being
💡 If you’ve ever felt exhausted, unmotivated, or unsure about your future in dentistry, this conversation will give you hope, tools, and next steps to take back control of your career and well-being.
About Heather: Heather DeYoung is a practicing hygienist of over 15 years in Denver, Colorado. After recovering from her own burnout, Heather decided to start sharing her burnout story and become a stress & burnout coach for hygienists with the hopes of preventing others from experiencing burnout's dark pitfalls. When she's not in the op or coaching, she enjoys snowboarding with her husband and dog, running, and practicing yoga.
Connect with Heather on Instagram!
Want to thrive in your role as a dental professional? Whether you’re struggling with ergonomics, managing pain, or just looking for guidance to elevate your practice, I’m here to help! As a dental hygienist, coach, and consultant, I’m passionate about empowering you to work more comfortably and effectively.
🎉 Get Your Free Chairside Guide – a quick, practical resource designed to support you in providing top-notch patient care while taking care of yourself with chairside yoga exercises, ergonomic tips, and more!
Learn more about The Aligned Hygienist here.
Let’s connect:
• Instagram: @thealignedhygienist
• LinkedIn: Connect with me here
• Email: Hello@TheAlignedHygienist.com
Looking forward to helping you align your passion with your well-being!
Be well,
Caitlin
