If your tongue tie “exam” is a glance and a gut feeling…
You’re guessing.
And if your answer is either “Laser it” or “Adjust it forever”
You’re still guessing.
Both kill credibility.
In this episode, I break down the Hazelbaker Assessment Tool — a scored, reproducible way to evaluate tongue ties without vibes or ego.
We cover:
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Why function (14 points) matters more than appearance (10)
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The 7 functional categories most docs never assess
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What faux ties actually are (hint: torticollis + cranial strain)
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When to adjust aggressively
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When to co-manage
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And when it’s straight-up revision time
If we’re going to claim the pediatric airway and tongue tie space, we have to earn it.
Score it. Track it. Lead the case.
Stop eyeballing. Start acting like a doctor.
Share this with a doc who needs it.
00:00 Tongue Tie Intake Problem
01:36 Two Bad Approaches
02:55 Why Use Hazelbaker
05:46 Function Scoring Overview
06:12 Function Items Breakdown
10:26 Appearance Items Breakdown
13:47 Interpreting Scores Clinically
16:01 Borderline Cases Manage First
17:29 When to Refer for Release
20:10 Learn the Tool and Wrap Up