Kara Vavrosky, RDHEP
Kara Vavrosky, RDHEP, is a co-founder and the chief content officer of Today’s RDH, an independent educational publishing company for dental hygienists, encompassing articles, a podcast, virtual continuing education events, and self-study continuing education. Today’s RDH was launched in 2018 after Kara built her social media presence with her largest following on her Facebook page, Dental Hygiene with Kara RDH, which was created in 2013.
An Oregon Institute of Technology graduate, Kara has a deep passion for spreading knowledge about the importance of oral health and its association with systemic health. Kara’s passion extends to helping other hygienists understand current protocols and evidence-based research – all with the goal of lifting dental hygienists and the dental hygiene profession.
Kara was recognized in 2020 as one of the Top 100 Women in Media for her entrepreneurship as a co-founder of Today’s RDH. In 2022, she was recognized by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association for their Standout Seven Award in the Entrepreneur category.
Kara lives in Vancouver, Washington, just outside Portland, Oregon, with her husband, Ben, and their four Chihuahuas. When she’s not working, Kara loves riding the Oregon Dunes on her quad, spoiling her Chihuahuas, and spending time with her close-knit family.
Ask Kara RDH: Is Burnout in Clinical Hygiene Normal?
I have been doing clinical hygiene 3-4 days per week for over a year now and I’m already feeling burnt out. I work at...
Ask Kara RDH: Patient Refusal Forms
The new office I work for has refusal forms for everything: X-rays, perio chart, SRP, etc. To me, this is supervised neglect for over...
Ask Kara RDH: What should I do about doctor cutting my pay?
I’ve been a hygienist at my current office for two years now. When the doctor hired me, he told me he would pay me...
UPDATE: Washington State HB 1935 Dies in Committee!
Great news came out of Olympia, Washington, on February 22, 2019. The House Bill that was proposed on Wednesday, February 6, 2019, that would...
Ask Kara RDH: Office Doesn’t Feel Like a Good Fit
I recently moved and started working at an office last week. After taking the position, I realized that it is very unorganized and patient...
Hygienists Under Attack! Oppose Washington State HB 1935 & SB 5833
On Wednesday, February 6th, 2019 the Washington State Legislature proposed bills in both the House and Senate that will allow dental assistants to perform...
4 Things to Consider When Recommending a Toothbrush
As dental hygienists, we all know we should be individualizing our home care recommendations. Whether it be a toothbrush, interdental cleaner, or other home...
5 More Infection Control Mistakes You Might Not Realize You’re Making
Infection control has always been a top priority for dental hygienists. After all, it is vital to create a safe treatment environment for patients...
Ask Kara RDH: PSA Block Injection Complication
I recently administered a right PSA block on a patient. Seconds after, my patient expressed that it hurt more than when I had numbed...
6 Things Hygienists Wish Their Doctor/Boss Knew
As dental hygienists, we respect the doctor we work for. After all, it is their practice, their business, and we work either under direct...
Ask Kara RDH: New Hygienist Doing Inferior Work
I have 33 years experience and have worked in my current office for 13 years. I take pride in my care of my patients....
Ask Kara RDH: Patients Complain I Talk too Much
When I am uncomfortable, running late, stressed out, fill-in the blank—–, I talk too loud and tend to talk too much. This “she talks...
Ask Kara RDH: What is the best way to suggest perio treatment to a patient?
I just started my first dental hygiene job, and I’m having a hard time on how to suggest perio treatment and referrals. What’s the...
5 Ways to Reinvigorate Your Career as a Dental Hygienist
Disclosure: We value transparency at Today’s RDH. This article is sponsored content from Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program as part of our sponsored partner program.
For many dental...
Ask Kara RDH: Rumors Being Spread About Work Ethic
I recently graduated from dental hygiene school and will be returning to my hometown to find a job. I’m from a small town with...
Ask Kara RDH: Young Hygienist Doesn’t Scale Thoroughly
Our office has three hygienists; myself, who has been a hygienist for 35 years, my coworker “Lorna” who has been a hygienist 45 years,...
Ask Kara RDH: Perio Maintenance Patients not Showing Improvement, SRP Again?
I am a new dental hygienist, licensed for about four months now. I see a lot of patients for periodontal maintenance. My concern with...
Ask Kara RDH: How Often Should I Sharpen My Instruments?
I am a new grad and started full-time at a new office. The hygienist I replaced sharpened her instruments once a month. I feel...
Ask Kara RDH: Other Hygienist Criticizing My Work to Patients and in Chart Notes
I work in an office one day a week. I am a new grad, and this is my first job. We recently hired a...
Ask Kara RDH: Co-worker Underdiagnosing & I Have to Explain to Patient
What do you do if you have a patient that’s been coming to the same practice for 15 years as is treated by the...