Breaking Barriers in Dentistry When a Hygienist Owns the Practice
In this episode of The Dental CEO Podcast℠, Dr. Scott Leune sits down with Irene Ianku — a pioneering independent dental hygienist from Toronto — to discuss one of the most unconventional yet inspiring paths in modern dentistry: non-dentist ownership of a dental practice. Irene’s journey from clinical hygienist to business owner challenges long-standing assumptions about who can and can’t lead in the dental industry.
About the Podcast – The Dental CEO Podcast℠
The Dental CEO Podcast℠ explores the intersection of clinical dentistry and business leadership. Each episode brings candid conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs who’ve mastered the art of dental practice ownership. Hosted by Dr. Scott Leune, the show helps dentists, hygienists, and practice owners think strategically about growth, systems, and the future of dentistry.
About the Host – Dr. Scott Leune
Scott Leune is a seasoned practice owner, entrepreneur, and founder of multiple successful dental ventures. As the host, he combines deep business expertise with firsthand clinical experience to help others navigate everything from starting a dental practice to scaling multi-location operations. Scott believes real progress in dentistry comes from questioning norms and empowering new types of ownership structures.
About the Guest – Irene Ianku, RDH, Restorative Dental Hygienist
Irene Ianku is a dental hygienist who owns her own practice in Toronto — a rare and groundbreaking achievement. Known for her podcast Tooth or Dare and her clinical leadership at Tooth Life Studio, Irene has built a thriving dental practice startup that competes on equal footing with traditional dentist-owned offices. Her story reflects innovation, resilience, and a systems-driven approach to modern practice management.
Key Highlights
1. Rethinking Who Can Own a Dental Practice
Scott Leune emphasizes that many assume only dentists can own clinics. Irene’s experience proves otherwise — in certain provinces and U.S. states, an independent dental hygienist can legally own or co-own a dental business. Scott notes that this opens new doors for professionals who want autonomy while maintaining high clinical standards.
2. Building a Dental Practice from the Ground Up
Scott admires Irene’s entrepreneurial courage. She wrote her own business plan, sought funding despite multiple rejections, and personally managed the design and buildout of her clinic during the pandemic. Scott believes her success demonstrates that a dental hygienist owning a practice is not only possible but profitable when supported by strong systems and smart financial planning.
3. Systems Before Success
Dr. Leune highlights Irene’s obsession with systems and workflows as a major factor behind her early profitability. She automated operations, standardized hygiene protocols, and structured her team around efficiency. Scott notes that this kind of systemization is what separates sustainable startups from short-lived experiments in dental practice ownership.
4. Redefining the Dentist-Hygienist Partnership
Scott recognizes Irene’s model as a new blueprint for collaboration between dentists and hygienists. Instead of competition or hierarchy, her approach builds mutual respect and shared responsibility. Scott believes this hybrid ownership structure could reshape how small practices retain talent and maintain profitability.
5. The Emotional Reality of Ownership
Scott Leune knows from experience that owning a dental practice is both rewarding and demanding. Irene’s candid reflections — from navigating financial pressure to managing crises — reveal the personal resilience required to succeed. Scott emphasizes that ownership isn’t about glamour but growth, risk, and the satisfaction of building something lasting.
Conclusion
Through this conversation, Dr. Leune and Irene shed light on a transformative idea — that independent dental hygienists can play a leading role in the evolution of private practice dentistry. Their discussion challenges outdated assumptions and redefines what dental practice ownership can look like in the future. For anyone thinking about starting a dental practice or exploring non-dentist ownership, this episode delivers both insight and inspiration — straight from two professionals who are shaping the next generation of dental leadership.
More useful tips on starting and running a dental practice read in our blog.