A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast

544 The Science -How Ultrasonics Actually Work: Amplitude, Frequency, and Cleaning Efficiency

A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast

Show Notes

In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave welcome back Noel and Richard Paschke, better known as Mr. and Mrs. Ultrasonics.

Together, they break down the science behind ultrasonic instrumentation, separating fact from fiction on topics like frequency, amplitude, cavitation, cleaning efficiency, and clinical technique. Rich shares an engineer's perspective on how ultrasonic devices are designed, while Noel translates the physics into practical applications for today's clinician.

They also discuss common misconceptions about piezo and magnetostrictive units, how worn tips impact performance, and why understanding ultrasonic technology is essential for delivering better patient care.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The difference between frequency, amplitude, and cleaning efficiency

Why ultrasonic scaling is about more than simply turning up the power

Common myths surrounding cavitation and calculus removal

Key differences between piezo and magnetostrictive systems

How tip design, wear, and adaptation affect clinical outcomes

The latest innovations from the Paschkes, including cordless ultrasonics and a patent-pending piezo swivel handpiece.

Connect with Noel: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelpaschke/

Contact the Hosts:

Jessica Atkinson: [email protected]

Dave Torres: [email protected]

More from A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast

Oct 21, 2026

In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave explore what happens after assessment and diagnosis: turning clinical findings into meaningful, individualized care. Karen Palleschi and Jennifer Pieren discuss how dental hygienists can use critical thinking, clinical judgment, and the ADHA Standards of Care to create person-centered plans that reflect each patient's needs, values, risks, and goals.

Oct 14, 2026

Assessment and diagnosis are at the heart of patient-centered dental hygiene care. In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave are joined by JoAnn Gurenlian, Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, and Darlene Swigart to explore how dental hygienists can move beyond simply collecting patient data to interpreting findings, developing accurate dental hygiene diagnoses, and making informed clinical decisions.

Oct 7, 2026

JoAnn Gurenlian joins Jessica and Dave for a practical conversation about the purpose, evolution, and everyday importance of the Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice.

Sep 30, 2026

Every patient who sits in our chair brings more than just a mouth with them. Hormones, bone health, medications, and life stage can all influence what we see clinically.

Sep 26, 2026

Jessica and Dave welcome Dr. Pamela Ray to discuss how hygienists can improve periodontal communication, help patients take ownership of their disease, and guide them toward informed decisions about their health. This episode was brought to you by our friends at Net32.

See all episodes →