Search

The article stresses the importance of embracing change to help dental hygienists achieve career growth. Topics discussed include the benefits experienced by the author when she embraced change in her career from full-time clinician to a part-time educator and consultant, the need for dental hygienists to examine oneself to elevate their standard of care, and a study about behavioral change and personality change.

The article discusses the benefits of a good handoff and how dental hygienists should implement such patient communication tool in their practice. A good handoff allows dental hygienists to address objections and help them guide patients to more educated choices on their dental health. It is noted that most patients have an internal dialogue going on that is preventing them further from fully listening. A solid handoff gives patients the chance to hear the same information a second time.

The article discusses factors on the coexistence of patient compassion with increase of production in the dental hygiene field. Topics covered include such professional constraints as time, patient resistance, and finances that affect the delivery of care, the impact of a hygienist's values and beliefs on specific procedures, and a practice's need to be profitable to deliver quality patient care. Also noted are the costs entailed in downtime.

The author reflects on the importance of a good support network to managing stress of a dental hygienist. She relates that emotional and personal connections make her career an integrated part of her daily life. She notes the impact of stress they feel as hygienists on their family life. She relates one of the most memorable moments in her career when her patient told her that she was diagnosed with cancer and a big concern was to keep her teeth.

The article discusses dental hygienists' maintenance of a positive outlook while handling the various consequences of an injury. Topics covered include the wide span of duties and responsibilities assumed by them, their attentiveness to patients' concerns before and after work hours which entails great physical energy, and the physical, emotional, and financial aspects of an injury. Also noted is the importance of heeding a doctor's advice and care plan in case of a patient's injury.

The article reports on the efforts of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan to look for ways to initiate oral health as part of collaborative care. Topics mentioned include development of preventive outreach services under Michigan's Public Act 161, an increase in interest of hygiene students due to dental outreach programs, and development and implementation of a Seal! Michigan school-based sealant program.

The article discusses results of a 2016 salary survey of dental hygienists in the U.S. Data provided shows respondents' perceptions on the difficulty of finding employment, states with the highest levels of insecurity about the job market, hourly rates and pay raises, employee benefits, retirement benefits, health insurance and life insurance within the dental hygiene profession. The survey looked at the growth of the market and compared work hours, salary and employment between millennials.

The article discusses the role of emotional labor and compassion fatigue in stress and burnout among dental professionals. Topics include the possibility to reduce the quality of life when a clinician engages in emotional labor tasks for a long time, the two approaches to using emotional labor skills when dealing with patients' irrational behavior, namely, surface acting and deep acting, and the importance of being aware of one's own thoughts and emotions to cope with stress and burnout.

The article focuses on the direct access to dental hygiene services in Dakota. Topics include definition given by the American Dental Hygienists' Association on direct access, summary of direct access in South Dakota, and an interview with dental hygienist Amy Ericks, president of the South Dakota Dental Hygienists' Association on how she uses direct services, what inspired her to pursue direct access to care, and why it is important for dental hygienists to provide direct care to patients.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's car accident with her fiancé after the very first semester of her dental hygiene school program.

The author conveys her thoughts about dental conventions and discusses some of the lessons she learned from attending them. The first dental convention that she ever attended was the Chicago Midwinter Meeting in February 2016. She gets the opportunity to attend continuing education courses and learn from some of the best dental speakers in the U.S. The potential gains to be earned from networking is said to be a highly touted benefit of dental conventions.

The author discusses the importance of putting the patient's interest first to have a successful dental hygiene practice. Topics covered include her experience of being held back for one semester before graduation due to her hurried clinical practice on patients just to meet graduation requirements, and the need for practitioners to periodically on the purpose of their profession. Also noted are insights on balancing meaningful clinical practice with the business pressures of daily practice.

An interview with Colorado independent dental hygienist Angie Rhoades in 2018 is presented. When asked on her inspiration to pursue direct access to care, she states that she gets the choice of how to handle usual work loads and conditions in the profession. Rhoades states that providing a service that changes patients' views on dental care helps in reducing their barriers to care. She cites her use of word of mouth, internet referrals, and social media in building a patient base.

The article presents the thoughts and recommendations of the journal's editorial advisory board on how to treat tooth sensitivity in two different patient scenarios, one has been treated for periodontitis and the other has two sensitive teeth that are aggravated by acid exposure. Topics covered include the desensitizers that they would recommend for the patients, special considerations for application of desensitizers in these patients, and contraindications or special considerations.

The author talks about the working relationship between dentists and dental hygienists in a dental office, and the advantages of reducing the time used during procedures. Topics include the Mr. Thirstry One-Step dental isolation tool by dental products company Zirc Company, and the author's time-and-motion study which showed that using the product saved time, improved efficiency and productivity, elevated their level of care given, and increasing patient satisfaction.

The article analyzes the implications of dental hygienists administering botulinum toxin (Botox) and dermal fillers as approved by the Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners. Topics discussed are the specialty license, training and skills necessary to administer Botox, oral health training on the use of Botox and derma fillers, and the responsibility of dental hygienists with oral cancer, prevention of periodontal disease and oral hygiene instructions.

The article offers tips on how dental hygienists can get involved as volunteer in medical charity missions. Topics discussed include the importance of researching about the charity organizations one wants to join, and other trip details such as financial obligations, travel arrangements, housing situation, and personal and professional supplies provision. Also mentioned are personal preparation for the trip including vaccination, the appropriate clothing and the right attitude.

An introduction is presented in which the author discusses articles within the issue on topics including burnout in the dental hygiene profession, patient care routine, and resilience and learning in the profession.

In the article, the author discusses issues and developments in the dental hygiene profession, particularly in the U.S., as of April 2017, particularly the responsibility of hygienists to report to authorities in 12 hours when a child patient shows signs of abuse or neglect. Also cited are the responsibility by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to record all reports, and the things that should be reported like physical injuries in young people below 18 years of age.

The author reflects on the reasons why she would choose her dental profession again. Topics covered include the reasons why someone might be hesitant to work in dental hygiene, the emergence of the Affordable Care Act, and job benefits of nurses such as health insurance, vacation time, and 401(k) plans.

The article discusses the benefits for dental hygienists of having their own equipment. Topics covered include the requirements for owning equipment such as having one's own independent or collaborative practices and being qualified to provide care in an independent setting, the reasons for purchasing one's own equipment, and the process for purchasing dental equipment.

The article discusses some instruments that dental hygienists believe would improve their work like. Topics covered include the importance of sharp instruments for hygienists as these will make their job easier, the use of a high speed handpiece and a small friction-grip stone in sharpening instruments, and the use of power scalers in periodontal debridement. Also mentioned is the need to have enough number of x-ray sensors in order to avoid wasting time.

The article discusses ways to adapt to change in a dental office filled with tension. Topics covered include the recommendation for clinicians to take care of themselves and not others in order to be able to work effectively, the advice to avoid saying things that will offend someone, and the recommendation to change one's own attitude towards a difficult person. Also mentioned is the potential of emotional stress to arise when dealing with such a person.

In the article, the author discusses how the dentistry profession and dental hygienists could prepare to provide the needs of baby boomers in the U.S. She cites that based on statistics, 10,000 Americans are turning 65 beginning January 1, 2011. She presents the introduction of toothbrushing by Claude Hopkins in the U.S., the National Institute on Aging (NIA) Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging (BLSA), and the American Dental Association (ADA) Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry (EBD).

The article looks at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dentistry in the U.S. Dental professionals have adapted to the new normal created by the pandemic. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have created standards for providers. The American Dental Association (ADA) reviewed the risks and protections that would enable dental professionals to return to practice.

The author describes how the holistic philosophy allowed her to continue healing beyond traditional medicine. She has nonalcoholic chronic liver disease and had been injected with inteferon that caused her to be fatigued and anemic. Among the strategies that contributed to her medical recovery are learning something new, practicing different coping mechanisms, and affirming oneself.

The article announces that Philips Sonicare and Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) magazine have chosen Anne Gwozdek as the 2013 Mentor of the Year. INSET: COMMENTS FROM NOMINATORS.

A personal narrative from a dental hygienist is presented which explores her experience in coping up with the Parkinson's disease and treatment procedures which she had undergone to get relief from the disease.

The article discusses several ways for improving the quality of care offered by dental hygienists to patients'. It highlights to create friendly atmosphere and develop effective communication with patients' in clinics so that they can share their health implications to dentists without any hesitation. It also suggests several ways to cope up with the busy professional routine of dental personnel so as to provide quality medical care to patients'.

The article provides information on the Somos Amigos Medical Missions which is a non-profit organization that offers medical and dental care to the underprivileged communities through organizing medical camps. It also shares experience of a patient from Puerto Rico who had attended the medical camp scheduled in Naranjito, Puerto Rico. It also discusses initiatives undertaken by the Smile Foundation organization under the leadership of dental hygienist Kaitlin M. Stier.

The article presents selected national responses to the annual salary survey 2011, published by RDH eVillage, on a state-by-state basis. The survey explored a variety of demographic factors that influenced hourly rates in the United States which include experience as a licensed hygienist, benefits available through employers, and primary methods used for applying to continuing education (CE) credits. It also investigated the financial health of dental practices where hygienists were employed.

The author offers advices for improving professional, personal and communication behavior for the success of dental practices. She highlights the importance of sharing passion and enthusiasm, working collaboratively and self evaluating and further acknowledges Teresa O’Brien of O’Brien Consulting Group, LLC, Midland, Michigan for the advice. Also discussed is the study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and published by the American Psychological Association (APA).

In this article the author suggests ways for registered dental hygienists (RDHs) to remain excited about one's profession even after ageing. She emphasizes on the role of passion in ensuring a hygienist's commitment to the profession, regardless of the age factor. It is suggested that professionals should keep abreast of research taking place in health care, enroll for continuing education (CE) courses, acquire technical knowledge, and improve oral and written communication skills.

The article discusses the highlights of a survey hosted by the electronic newsletter "RDH eVillage" in August 2010 to determine how the economy has affected the careers of dental hygienists in the U.S. The hygienists who participated in the survey expressed their frustrations related to career growth and the country's economy. The survey looked at the salaries, health insurance and other employment benefits, and career opportunities for dental hygienists in each state including Alabama, California and Louisiana.

The article presents the recommendation by a dental hygienist for water flossing over string flossing based on his personal practice experience and published study results. Topics discussed include the reference to dental woes including gingivitis as well as other periodontal diseases, survey data on American and Canadian dental professional visits and the frustrations over patient's compliance on string floss usage. Also mentioned was the case of the teenage patient using water floss.

The article describes the dental operatory located at One Union Square building in Seattle, Washington, that is owned by Paige Cowan Seaborg.

The article discusses some important issues that registered dental hygienists should consider with regards to radiology when providing the patient with proper care. It is said that necessary films are typically covered in the patient's insurance coverage. Online hygiene forums are considered an ideal venue to get tips from others who have had similar experiences. Taking radiographs is said to be an essential part of patient care and vital to proper diagnoses.

The author discusses some important issues that registered dental hygienists should consider regarding scaling and root planing for patients in the workplace. If a patient refuses definitive treatment, the refusal should be documented. Dismissing anyone who does not agree to definitive therapy is said to be the safest route. The author said that social media has emboldened patients to post negative reviews that can lead to great damage to a practice.

The article describes the hygiene operatory managed by dental hygienist Amanda Apple at Aspen Dental in Warsaw, Indiana. Apple described her Hu-Friedy Air-Flow air polishing unit, which is a higher quality biofilm removal process. She said that having accelerated hygiene allows her to take emergency/walk-in patients and patients who want to start care the same day. She mentioned her involvement in the Indiana Dental Hygienists' Association.

The article suggest stress management techniques for dental hygienists that can benefit both their career and patients. Topics covered include the effectiveness of spiritual practices such as yoga in improving health and management of stress, the ability of a regular practice of tai chi in reducing blood pressure, and meditation techniques that dental hygienists can try.

The article features the renovated operatory of dental hygienist Nancy Miller. Topics covered include the operatory fixtures that were purchased that coordinated with the practices finishes and color scheme, such as a Midmark UltraComfort patient chair in chocolate brown, the clinical technology for both patients and providers that were added at the operatory, including an overhead screen to educate patients and the overall design of the operatory featuring natural light and an open feel.

The article provides an answer to a question on how to start doing temporary work as a dental hygienist.

The article describes how Lisa Schildhorn, a dental hygienist promotes oral health through skills gained as an entrepreneur. It mentions that after graduating Lisa opened a recruiting agency for dental professionals; leading a business helped her expand her business acumen. Afterwards she did M.S. in Organizational Development and formed LLC Dental Team Consultants, Inc.; she works for the DentaQuest Foundation and the Health Teeth projects to promote optimal oral health. INSET: Recipe For Energy.

The article provides an answer to a question of whether or not dental hygienists should include a lot of periodontal treatment in their practice, and especially more so where it is not really needed.

The article discusses the Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) Under One Roof (UOR) Conference held on August 2, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The keynote session by Seth Mattison on "What Happens When Generations Collide" on bridging generations in the dental workplace is discussed. The generational responses of baby boomers, Generation X and Generation Y, to a survey conducted as part of the conference, determining their views on benefits of annual dental hygiene conference are also included. INSET: Course description for "What Happens When Generations Collide".

A personal narrative from dental hygienist Sheri Kay about her treatment and recuperation from breast cancer is presented.

The article features the ideal operatory of registered dental hygienist (RDH) Donna Avakoff in California in June 2018. Topics discussed include the comfortable use of her chair, slow-speed handpiece, ultrasonic unit + the inserts, favored scalers, XP technology, diode laser, and air polisher, and her awareness and demonstation of new research on periodontal disease's systemic links. Also noted are Avakoff's use of the Crescent memory foam and of essential oils to help patients relax.

The article looks at the transformation of the dental profession in the U.S. The rising supply of dental hygienists is attributed to the influx of dentistry students and the opening of more hygiene schools. The concern over the increasing cost of education for dentists is discussed, as well as the impact of shifting from a productivity model to a holistic model on the dental profession.

The article offers information about registered dental hygienist Andrea Kowalczyk and the program "Hygiene Refreshed" that she developed to help other hygienists in the U.S. revive their engagement with their careers. Topics mentioned include Kowalczyk's education in dental hygiene, her experience as a hygiene mentor for American Dental Partners, and her programs for dental teams including one that aims to help them grow in productivity and profitability.