Julie Rayniak RDH OMT
Julie joined the Optimized Airways team in 2025. With an impressive 30-year career as a dental hygienist, Julie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team. Her deep understanding of oral health, paired with her passion for helping patients achieve optimal airway function, makes her an invaluable addition to our practice.
Through her journey, she’s come to realize that many of the dental challenges her patients face are linked to myofunctional dysfunctions, and now, she’s eager to help address these issues in a way she couldn’t before. Julie’s ability to connect the dots between her dental background and myofunctional therapy will undoubtedly make a powerful impact on the health and well-being of her clients.
Julie is thrilled to take this next step with the Optimized Airways team, using her expertise to not only support adults in their journey to better health, but to also empower children to grow up with the tools they need for a strong, healthy airway and optimal oral function.
Julie lives in Wilsonville, OR with her husband and two Yorkie puppies. She is able to see both in person and virtual clients - so if you are not in the Portland (PDX) area, no problem.
Audrey Richards RDH
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist
Audrey Richards is a dedicated practitioner in the field of myofunctional therapy and the founder of Optimized Airways. She is passionate about helping both children and adults address the root causes of issues such as sleep apnea, snoring, teeth grinding, mouth breathing, and poor oral posture.
Audrey believes that many common problems—like crowded teeth, acid reflux, chronic fatigue, and even behavioral challenges in children—can often be traced back to poor airway health and dysfunctional oral habits. Rather than simply masking symptoms, she is committed to helping clients uncover and address the underlying causes so they can experience lasting improvements in their health and quality of life.
One of Audrey’s favorite parts of her work is building meaningful relationships with her clients. She loves the “aha” moments when something finally clicks and watching people gain the tools and confidence they need to succeed.
Her passion for this work began at home. After noticing that some of the habits her own children displayed were actually signs of larger myofunctional issues, Audrey dove deeper into understanding airway health and functional therapy. What started as a journey to support her own family quickly grew into a calling to help others.
Through Optimized Airways, Audrey works to bring awareness to the myofunctional habits that have become normalized in today’s world. She believes that awareness is the first step toward change and is dedicated to helping families recognize opportunities to improve breathing, sleep, and overall wellness.
Audrey lives in sunny San Diego and works with clients both locally and virtually, making myofunctional therapy accessible to families near and far.
