Today we’d like to introduce you to Juli Keating, OMT, RDH.
Hi Juli, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I graduated from the Wharton School of Dental Hygiene in 2001 and spent many years working on and off in general, pediatric, and periodontal dental offices. Like many moms, I eventually stepped away from clinical hygiene to stay home with my children, never imagining that this pause would later lead me to my true calling. I never let go of my license or continuing my education as a dental hygienist.
In 2022, after some time away from the hygiene chair, a dental hygienist friend asked if I could help her office. That decision changed everything. During my time there, my eyes were opened to something no medical professional had ever fully connected for me before—despite my questions and concerns as both a mom and a dental professional.
One extraordinary dentist there took the time during a routine dental exam to point out patterns in my children that she saw. These were the same ones I had tried to discuss and improve with no help for years:nighttime teeth grinding, poor quality sleep, snoring, an ADHD diagnosis, persistent finger sucking beyond age five, unresolved speech issues, large tonsils, and chronic daytime mouth breathing. I was told their large tonsils were “normal” and had an in home sleep study with no major findings. These were not isolated issues, but signs of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs). One of my children even had a lab sleep study recently where we discovered severe sleep apnea that had gone unnoticed in the home study.
That dentist introduced me to Myofunctional Therapy(MT) and suggested that my children would likely benefit from seeing an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist(OMT). I was also surprised to learn that, as a registered dental hygienist, this field fell under that umbrella of medical care. She suggested that I pursue training to become an OMT myself. I’ll admit—my first reaction was complete skepticism in the field. I mean, how could some exercise exercises help in so many ways?
I began researching, and after nearly a year I was realizing why no one else had truly connected the dots for my children or my patients. We just didn’t learn this in dental or medical school and the causes are multiple from genetics to environmental factors. I started to believe that MT might be an essential piece of a much bigger health puzzle. The case studies, books and peer reviewed research articles just made so much sense! When I tried to find a therapist for my own children, I quickly discovered how limited access was. There was an overwhelming need in our community, and there were very few providers available and unfortunately that is still the case.
That’s when I began seriously considering starting my own Myofunctional Therapy practice. I pursued formal training through the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM). Once my eyes were more fully opened in my own training, I couldn’t unsee what I was seeing and learning. Within a year, I committed to an additional 12-week advanced training course to ensure I was as prepared as possible to help others.
In February of 2024, I opened my practice—Spero Myofunctional Therapy LLC. Spero comes from the Latin word meaning “hope,” and that is exactly why this business exists: to give hope to parents and individuals who know something isn’t right, but haven’t been given the answers.
In the world of MT, we focus on identifying the root causes of OMDs and correcting harmful oral habits that interfere with proper growth, development, and function. We work with children to support nasal breathing and healthy orofacial development and with adults to improve breathing, sleep, and overall health. It is important to point out that the very <i>first</i> goal is always healthy nasal breathing in all ages.
As a Myofunctional Therapist, I am one part of a collaborative care team. I work closely with ENTs, airway-focused dentists, orthodontists, physical therapists/other bodyworkers, sleep physicians, and speech professionals as needed to support each client holistically.
I begin by offering discovery calls to determine whether MT may be a good fit. From there, clients go through a comprehensive evaluation—virtually or in person—which includes detailed photos, measurements, and functional assessments. Personalized exercise programs are then created, taught, and progressed over time with regular follow-ups and reevaluations.
I absolutely love what I do, and I feel deeply passionate about helping others improve their quality of life through this noninvasive, non medication option. If you or your loved one struggles with mouth breathing, TMJ pain, finger or thumb sucking beyond ages 2–3, chronic digestive issues, unresolved speech concerns, misaligned teeth, ADHD-type symptoms, narrow facial growth, and narrow dental palates, I invite you to reach out to me. Together, we can explore whether Myofunctional Therapy may be the answer you didn’t even know existed.
You’ll see the phrase “Dum Spiro, Spero” on my website and business cards which means:“While I breathe, I hope.”
It is the inspiration behind my Myofunctional therapy business!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As a dental hygienist, I did not learn about running a business. I have just had to learn as I go. The first year, I spent a lot of time researching how to create a small business, my website and how promote my business and network with other medical professionals that I would need on my team. This of course was all being done alongside raising a family and learning about how to be a Myofunctional Therapist.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m not sure this really sets me apart from any other Myofunctional Therapist as all of them I know have the same mindset. I just truly value honesty and integrity and want to help others feel their best so they can be who they were created to be. As a mom and a new business owner, I have prayed throughout this journey that I would always keep my priorities as God first, my family and loved ones second, and then my business. That hasn’t always been easy, especially because I truly enjoy my time with my clients and the work that has gone into building this dream. The business aspects can distract me from focusing on my first priorities. Don’t ask my husband about the amount of time I spend on Canva!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
This is not a new type of therapy. We are just really seeing how genetics and environmental factors like soft food diets are negatively affecting our Orofacial development and growth. MT started to become more mainstream in the last 10 years, but it has been around for much longer. I see it continuing to grow as awareness around restoring function and airway health increases. It’s becoming more integrated into sleep, dental and pediatric care, with greater access through Telehealth. I recently even heard of dermatology offices beginning to employ myofunctional therapists on staff as even adults have seen facial changes from the exercise programs. Toning areas of their face and relaxing other areas are common outcomes from a complete well done program. This of course requires help from a trained therapist as it’s never been found to be helpful through self taught methods like the occasional YouTube video. Expertise and client compliance is key.
Contact Info:
- Website: Speromyo.com
- Instagram: @spero_myofunctional
- Youtube: @speromyofunctionaltherapyllc
