Rebecca Marie Friend, BS, RDH
Rebecca Marie Friend, RDH, BS, attained her Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene from Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan, in 1987, where she also met and married her husband. She has been a practicing dental hygienist for over 30 years and has raised three sons while working as a full-time clinical dental hygienist. Rebecca currently practices in Battle Creek, Michigan. She resides in neighboring historic Marshall, Michigan. Rebecca is board certified in Nitrous Oxide and Local Anesthesia Administration and is certified in low-level laser therapy. Continuously striving to improve upon her skills and methods of forward-thinking in the dental world, she recently attained her Bachelor of Science degree in Oral Health Promotion through Action Research at O’Hehir University. She is actively involved in a mentorship with students at O’Hehir University. “I take pride in my abilities as a skilled periodontal therapist. I enjoy the patient-practitioner relationship that develops when trust and health are gained, taking mindful care of every individual that I connect with. The benefits of helping others achieve a healthy mouth and regain their confidence with a great smile and healthier self are very rewarding. Whole-body health begins with the mouth.” In her free time, Rebecca enjoys visiting the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, where the sunsets are magical, the dunes are stunning, and the rocks are a collector’s delight. She loves to immerse herself in nature whenever she gets a chance and enjoys canoeing, kayaking, nature walks, flexibility training, yoga, and little “get-a-ways” with her husband. Family life has always been important to her, and now that her three grown sons have spread their wings, she has a little more time to spread hers.
Laser-assisted Hygiene Therapy: Integrating Laser Therapy for Dental Patients
March 2020 has forever changed our world as well as the way we treat patients in the dental setting. Adhering to strict Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to ensure the safety and health of our patients, ourselves, and co-workers have been the standard of care since AIDS surfaced in the 1980s.
The onset of COVID-19 has required...
6 Things You Need to Know About Dental Sealants
Today’s society, especially in the U.S., is inundated with sugary liquids posing as healthy or energizing drinks. Many parents pack their children’s lunch boxes with fermentable carbohydrates such as chips and crackers, and sugary liquids such as juice boxes because they are easily accessible, and are non-perishable. Chewable vitamins and chewable sugary snacks that stick in occlusal surfaces are...
Eagle Syndrome: How RDHs Can Distinguish it from TMD
Eagle syndrome is a rare condition where the styloid process becomes elongated or the stylohyoid ligaments become calcified. When the process elongates, it can constrict nerves, the carotid artery, and create a variety of symptoms that are often misdiagnosed. (see Image 1 and 2)
The condition was discovered by Dr. Watt W. Eagle in 1937, an otolaryngologist at Duke University....
Online Dental Reviews: How to Turn a Negative into a Positive
In today’s online society, digital media has repeatedly demonstrated its power to influence, and dental professionals have been the recipients of the dreaded and unexpected negative review. Hopefully, your dental practice screens and monitors their online reviews on a daily basis. How you react to a negative review reflects the character and integrity of the office as a whole.
Take...
Ergonomics: If I’d Only Known
Ergonomics
Noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
er·go·nom·ics ˌər-gə-ˈnä-miks
An applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely – called also biotechnology, human engineering, human factors.1
If Only I’d Known…
If only I’d know that this body would age,
If only I’d known that loupes were good for my...
Zinc: A Closer Look, Including Some Dental Benefits
You may have noticed lately that the shelves in the local pharmacies and retailers have been depleted of zinc supplements. News got out like wildfire on social media regarding zinc’s ability to help strengthen the autoimmune system. With COVID-19, many people are desperate to find new ways to keep their immune system strong, and are eager to try anything...
Post Coronavirus: The Alpha and Omega of a Successful Dental Hygiene Appointment
Editor's Note: Information about COVID-19 is changing on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis. We have made every attempt to ensure this article is up-to-date at the time of publication, but with the rapid changes occurring, some information may have changed since publication. Please visit https://www.coronavirus.gov/ for the latest news and information on COVID-19.
This article's intent is how to build trust with...
Smart Workday Stretches That Promote Longevity for Dental Hygienists (Videos Included)
Throughout my 30-year career as a clinical dental hygienist, I have had several physical therapy sessions for hand, shoulder, neck, and lower back chronic pain and fatigue. I found great comfort and release of tension with these simple and smart stretches.
Please do these stretches gently and only as your body feels comfortable. If any stretch makes you feel uncomfortable...
Be an “Eagle-Eye” – The Importance of Hygienist, Doctor, and Patient Co-diagnosing
My employer often calls me “Eagle Eye” because he knows and appreciates my skills as a hygienist. Having a heightened sense of the oral condition of each patient sets up for a great handoff during the doctor’s examination. It is essential to go above and beyond routine care to assist in co-diagnosing with the doctor and patient for a...
Type 3c Diabetes: Newly Discovered, Misunderstood, and Misdiagnosed
I am always surprised and intrigued to discover new information through my patients. Recently, a patient (male, late 40s) proudly showed me his smartphone app and explained how it tracked his blood sugar, insulin, carbs, weight, and blood glucose levels. He wears a patch on his arm, which he changes every two weeks. Blood sugar levels and other information...
Code Red: What Dental Codes to Use in Different Situations
Sometimes it feels like we need a code red to determine which code best suits our patient’s particular dental condition. I am sure we have all been there. Do we use D4355 for Debridement or just start with D4341 or D4342? Do I use the Gingivitis code D4366 or just fight through a Prophylaxis with the D1110 code and...
A Sharper Edge: Banishing Dull Instruments From Dental Hygiene Operatory
The clock is ticking along rather quickly in the dental operatory when your next patient arrives before you have even scheduled your current patient’s next appointment. The operatory needs proper disinfecting, you’re thirsty, and you need to use the restroom. Once again, your needs will have to wait.
There is little, if any, downtime for hygienists in busy practices. If...
The Pinhole Technique: What Hygienists Need to Know
Gingival recession is a common malady we see to some degree on nearly every patient that comes through the dental office. Perhaps recession is minimal from over-aggressive toothbrushing, and a gentle word of warning and modification of brushing technique using an extra soft toothbrush are all that is required to keep the recession at bay. Periodontal disease and bruxism...
45 Dental Hacks for an Efficient Day!
Whether it be in the clinical setting, or at home, we all need to streamline our resources to help us work smarter, not harder. These dental hacks may be just the tip needed to smooth some of the wrinkles out of a busy day. I would like to share some of my dental hacks which have helped me over...
The Dental Hygiene Revolution: Reflect, Research, Take Action vs. Deflect, Accept, Do Nothing
We reflect, research, and take action on a daily basis in our clinical dental hygiene operatories. Sometimes the opposite is true of us as well; we deflect, accept, and do nothing. The latter is by far the easier route, but perhaps the most frustrating and least fulfilling. What I would like to focus on is the former, also known...
The Hidden Dangers of Diet Colas
As a whole, we are a health-conscious society. Exercise and diet play a major role in our attempt to become and remain healthy. Diet colas are thought of by many to be a healthy alternative to regular colas. Advertising contributes greatly to our idea that diet cola will make us look more energized and alluring, but is it really...
To Upsell or Not, That is The Question
I have been a practicing Registered Dental Hygienist since 1987. I cannot believe the math, but yes, 31 years! I have witnessed a lot of change over those decades. From optional ultrasonic usage for the extreme calculus “difficult prophy” cases versus daily ultrasonic/piezo usage as a standard of care, fluoride trays instead of fluoride varnish application, monster-sized clinical chairs...
How to Connect with Patients and Get Results
Oral health promotion plays a primary part in our role as Registered Dental Hygienists. We are in fact, Oral Health Practitioners. How often though, do our patients come through those revolving dental doors every three, four, or six months with the same deposits, plaque, and lack of oral care they present with time after time? It cannot be our...
Why One Hygienist Decided to Dust Off Her Laser for Periodontal Maintenance Care
Laser. The word sounds scary if it isn’t understood. A laser produces a narrow and intense beam of light energy which can be used to treat a wide range of dental conditions. For a hygienist, the laser is an effective and comfortable way to decontaminate periodontal pockets, help treat gingivitis, remove necrotic tissue, or treat an annoying canker sore....