Oral-Systemic Health (and How Desiccation Technology Can Help)
FEATURED STORY
It's not hard to convince clinicians and dental hygienists that poor oral hygiene has a detrimental effect on oral health and a patient's overall health. After all, dental professionals see evidence of this link in health at each dental appointment.
Bacteria in the mouth develop a protection system in the form of biofilm to grow and thrive in a number of situations. Biofilm plays a significant role in not only the development of health complications but also in the exacerbation of many oral and bodily diseases.
Braces and Prophy Angles: Which are Best?
Tween and teen patients can be the highlight of my day. But that changes when they smile and reveal plaque-caked orthodontic wires and brackets. The inflamed gingiva from the host response to the pathogenic bacteria really wrecks a good…
No Scary Visits: Tips on Connecting with Younger Patients
Do you remember your first few dental visits as a child? I do. Vividly. They were painful and I couldn’t wait to get out of the chair. Once, I even bit down on the drill thinking it would go faster and I could leave sooner! …
How to Stick Up for Yourself: A Guide for People-Pleasing Hygienists
We teach people how to treat us, whether we mean to or not. Many of us in the healthcare industry love helping others and making a difference. Oftentimes we will allow our desire to please others to trump our desire to even consider…
The Orthodontic Patient: Simple Tips to Get You Through
Ah, the dreaded orthodontic patient. Hardware galore, severe gingivitis and enough leftover food impacted around the brackets to sustain the patient for a week. Nothing is easy and the tissue is sensitive, so where do we go from here?Let’s…
Have You Ever Considered Being a Dental Hygiene Temp?
According to the United States Department of Labor, there were 207,900 dental hygiene jobs in 2016. Also in 2016, almost all dental hygienists worked in dental offices, and more than half worked part-time. So is there a need for…
Guide: How to Clean and Disinfect a Cordless Hygiene Handpiece
Minimizing the risk of infection is critical to proper dental care. Even with a barrier sleeve, your dental handpiece can become contaminated with oral flora and debris. Now, more than ever, it's a good idea to review the steps to cleaning…
Fluoride Varnish Acceptance: How to Get Patients from 'No' to 'Yes'
As dental hygienists, many of us have had countless conversations with patients about in-office fluoride treatment recommendations. Usually the conversation goes something like this:Hygienist: Overall, your teeth look good, but I do see…
Course Notes: Combatting Professional Burnout in Dental Hygiene
Exhaustion. Frustration. Stress.Does this describe your day in the op? If so, you're not alone. Here's what burnout looks like in the dental hygiene profession, along with some steps you can take to overcome it. What is burnout?The…
Course Notes: Xylitol, the 'Sugar' that Packs a Punch
Your patients may or may not know just how helpful xylitol can be for their oral health. Here’s a quick reference guide with five short-and-sweet tips you can use to help them navigate the ins-and-outs of xylitol. A sugar…