Kaitlyn Machado, RDH, BS, MEd, FADHA
Since a very young age, Kaitlyn Machado, RDH, BS, MEd, FADHA, has always wanted to be a dental hygienist. She was the youngest student to graduate from her dental hygiene class in 2017. Since then, Kate has returned for her bachelor's and master's degrees. She is a faculty member at her local dental hygiene school and a clinical dental hygienist. Kate has been a part of Today's RDH since its launch. She is extremely passionate about homecare, loves her prophy paste and fluoride varnish, and enjoys attending professional conferences. In addition, Kate loves to work with a local non-profit organization that helps fight against hygiene insecurity of all ages in her community. As a lifelong learner, she enjoys being as involved as possible in the dental hygiene profession. When Kate isn't working, she enjoys traveling, sports, watching movies, and spending time with her amazing, supportive family.
A Hygienist’s Guide to Succeeding at Dental Conferences
I absolutely love attending dental conferences, especially when it is an excuse to travel. At times, it can get overwhelming when there are tons of course options, networking opportunities, and social events happening in a very short timeframe.
Here are a few helpful tips and considerations that can help you get ready for your next dental conference.
Registration
I recommend registering early...
Dental Polishing and Cleansing Agents: A Quick Guide to Coronal Polishing Considerations
The concept of polishing was noted in Roman and Greek writing. It was not until Pierre Fauchard, the father of modern dentistry, associated polishing with stain removal.1 Interestingly, Fauchard used "finely ground coral, eggshells, ginger, or salt."1 Now fast forward to Dr. Alfred Fones, the founder of dental hygiene, where he educated his "auxiliaries" on providing polishing care.1
During this...
13 Dental Hygiene Interviewing Tips on What to Consider and Ask During an Interview
Seven years ago, I was still getting the hang of being a new working dental hygienist. At the same time, one of my first articles with Today’s RDH, 3D’s: Do’s, Don’ts of Dental Hygiene Interviewing, was about interviewing for a job because that was what I was experiencing during that time.
A lot has changed, not only for myself but...
Brushing Up: A Refresher on Different Toothbrushing Methods
Dental hygienists learn a ton of information about head and neck anatomy, pharmacology, radiography, dental materials, and everything in between. To be honest, we may have forgotten a thing or two along the way. That’s OK! We are human! A refresher in a few areas can be a nice reminder whether you’ve been out of hygiene school for a...
11 Reminders and Tips for Newly Graduated Dental Hygienists
Disclosure: This article has been sponsored by Heartland Dental, but Heartland Dental had no input in the editorial process or writing of this article.
As spring is just around the corner, many dental hygiene students will graduate and soon be brand-new dental hygienists. I wanted to share 11 helpful reminders and tips to students and new grads about the profession...
We Got a 4346, I Repeat 4346, Over: Understanding D4346 and Benefits of Using It
Introduced in 2017, the CDT procedure code D4346, “scaling in the presence of generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammation,” is not new. It was introduced to fill the gap for patients with moderate to severe gingival inflammation who require more than a preventive prophylaxis, but exhibit no active bone or attachment loss, so non-surgical periodontal therapy is not appropriate.1
First,...
Refusing Refusals: Why Dental Professionals Need to Defend the Standard of Care
Haven’t we all had a patient refuse assessment modalities or treatment? Some patients do not want anything to do with certain procedures, whether that be radiographs, periodontal probing, or non-surgical periodontal therapy. However, these procedures are crucial in providing comprehensive patient care and upholding the standard of care.
I have experienced patients refusing many different types of assessments and treatments....
10 Tips for Improving Your Operatory to Make Your Life Easier
There are many needed materials and supplies involved in dental hygiene, and most of them lie within our operatories. You have oral hygiene/education instruction supplies, homecare products, sealant materials, set-ups, and other resources to name just a few. With having busy patient schedules all day, sometimes our drawers, countertops, and cabinets can become a disaster zone. Here are some...
You Missed a Spot: 11 OSHA and Infection Control Details Dental Professionals Don’t Want to Overlook
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we all know that OSHA and infection control are crucial pillars of what we do each and every day in dentistry. It is federally mandated (enforced by law) that employers provide OSHA training when an employee starts the job and at least yearly thereafter.1 In some states, continuing education courses in infection control are required for...
Dental Hygienists Are Oral Health Prevention Specialists: It’s Not “Just a Cleaning”
Besides late patients, colleagues know that one of my biggest pet peeves as a dental hygienist is when people use the term “cleaning.” “Just a cleaning today, right?” “I just want the normal cleaning.” We have all heard it. It is a tale as old as time. It is incorrect, but why haven’t we stopped it?
Some of you probably...
Huddle Up: Suggestions for Staff Meetings in Busy Dental Offices
As a seasoned hygienist of working in multiple practices, I have developed an appreciation for the unique differences between them. Some practices hold a morning huddle every day before they grab their first patients of the day. Others have a monthly meeting or may not have any huddles or meetings at all (maybe only when necessary).
A morning huddle is...
Hygienist Spotlight: Dr. Emily Boge’s Journey to Becoming a Dental Hygiene Leader
Dr. Emily Boge, EdD, RDH, CDA, FAADH, FADHA
She is an Iowa native who is a key opinion leader, speaker, innovator, and director of not only a dental hygiene program but a dental assisting program. Dr. Emily Boge, EdD, RDH, CDA, FAADH, FADHA, is extremely involved in our profession in many different avenues.
In this interview, you will learn about Emily's...
Teamwork: Open Communication with Dentist Leads to Happier Dental Patients
Many individuals comprise a dental team in an office, and the professional relationship between the dental hygienist and the dentist – frequently, the employer – should be nurtured. Both dental professionals are pieces of the entire puzzle of a patient's care. It is crucial to understand what each piece does and recommends to patients, so there will be consistency...
Hygienist Spotlight: Kristeen Perry, an Educator, Examiner, Doctorate… Oh My!
Meet Kristeen, I mean to say, Dr. Kristeen Perry! She is not only a dental hygienist of 31 years but also a full-time dental hygiene faculty member, CDCA examiner, and doctorate program graduate.
Dr. Perry has been in the dental profession since 1987. Before entering dental hygiene school, she began her dental career as a dental assistant in general practice...
A Look at Working Interviews (And Why You Should ALWAYS Be Paid!)
Working interviews: Are they good? Or bad? Not all types of career options have the opportunity to have a working interview. In the dental world, this type of interviewing does exist, and looking at working interviews from all sides is important to get the most out of them.
A working interview is an opportunity for an applicant to prove their...
8 Tips for Conquering the National Dental Hygiene Board Exam
For some dental hygiene students, their last semester is fast approaching which means preparing for board exams and applying for your dental hygienist state licensure. One of the many board exams a dental hygiene student must take is the national dental hygiene board exam (NBDHE). The NBDHE definitely can be very intimidating. It's one of the many steps and requirements...
Hygienist Spotlight: The Multifaceted Hygienist Behind Teacher Tina RDH
When dental hygienists hear the words ‒ hygienist, educator, local anesthesia, basic life support and CPR-certified instructor ‒ who do they think of? Tina Clarke, RDH, MEd, truly fits all of these roles well.
You may be familiar with her as Teacher Tina RDH, going live every Tuesday on social media. She speaks on all things clinical hygiene, including local...
Different Stages of Career: Midstream Hygienists Agree on “Understanding Your Worth”
As I mentioned in part one of this series, Different Stages of Career, part two will focus on a dental hygienist from Massachusetts, who wishes to remain anonymous. She did attend the same dental hygiene school with Mary Reis, RDH (who was featured in part one). The goal of having two hygienists with the same career experience is to...
50 States of Dentistry: Hygienists’ Different Responsibilities Across the Country
Editor's note: Original publish date: January 18, 2023. Your state's dental practice act, which can be found on your state's Board of Dentistry/Board of Dental Examiners website, includes your allowable duties, CE requirements, supervision levels, and the rules pertaining to your state. It is highly encouraged that all dental health care professionals check their state's dental practice act often,...
Hygienist Spotlight: Claire Roesler – Maine’s First Dental Therapist Delivers Advanced Care
Many states advocate for the expansion of dental hygienists' scope of practice, including creating room for the dental therapist. The only four dental therapist programs/schools in the United States are three in Minnesota and one in Alaska.1
In addition, only thirteen states currently have legislation on dental therapy.1 One state that just recently gained its first dental therapist is Maine....