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    • 67dc406704ef35bb6495576d Joy Lantz
    1. RDH Magazine Podcast

    How dental hygienists can become a board certified orofacial myologist

    March 13, 2025
    Many dental hygienists have an interest in expanding their careers into different areas. Here are two areas that you may not have considered that might be a perfect fit!
    Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH, Chief editor, RDH magazine

    Do you want to advance your career, do more, and learn about different areas that affect oral health?

    Joy Lantz, RDH, PHDH, COM, IBCLC, and I discuss areas that might pique your interest. Joy received her certification in orofacial myology (COM) in 2017, and added International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential in 2022. 

    How do these credentials apply to dental hygienists?  

    Here’s how Joy went down this path. Personal experience with her three kids led her to learn about myofunctional disorders. She found out there were different problems in people’s mouths other than what’s generally associated with dental hygiene.

    When Joy worked with a doctor who performed tongue-tie releases on many babies, this led to her interest in becoming a lactation specialist.

    If either of these areas sound interesting to you regarding career growth, Joy discusses how dental hygienists can learn more about and become certified in either or both of these specialties. She shares the different avenues hygienists can take in order to explore these areas, and what moves to make when they do.

    Tune in to hear what we discuss, and learn more at joylantz.com.

    About the Author

    Joy Lantz, RDH, PHDH, COM, IBCLC

    Joy Lantz, RDH, PHDH, COM, IBCLC, has more than 25 years of experience in the dental field with a background in dental hygiene. She is a myofunctional therapist and lactation consultant in a local dental office. She is a national speaker presenting courses on anticipatory guidance, collaboration for patient care, and myofunctional therapy. Her passion is to assist dental and medical professionals to work together in screening and treating for oral myofunctional disorders and overall health. 

    About the Author

    Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH | Chief editor, RDH magazine

    Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH, has over four decades of continual career development and experience in dentistry. As the chief editor of RDH magazine, she strives to remain a proactive personality in the continual advancement of the profession. She has been defined as a motivated trendsetter and dependable colleague and is inspired by her true passion of helping others to achieve their personal goals.