Today's RDH
Today's RDH is for curious and passionate dental hygienists. We deliver the latest dental hygiene news, research, and entertainment on your phone, tablet, and computer.
Test Your Loupes & Ergonomic Knowledge
Disclosure: This quiz is sponsored content from DenMat as part of our sponsored partner program.
Charcoal Toothpaste: Deactivates Fluoride, Abrasive, and Some May Contain Carcinogens
Charcoal toothpastes are gaining popularity across the globe. From Southeast Asia to the West Coast of the United States, a growing number of patients are asking their dental hygienists about charcoal toothpaste. Responding to these inquiries is not always easy because savvy marketing tactics and social media bloggers promote charcoal toothpaste as a natural toothpaste alternative that can effectively...
Research Shows Dental Work Can Help People Recover from Drug Abuse
The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. There's a lot of research out there about how people become addicted and how to stop them from becoming users. There's also research on how to help addicts. Beating an addiction of any kind is incredibly difficult. A dental school in Utah has found a new, creative way to help people kick...
New Research Shows the Majority of Antibiotics Prescribed by Dentists Are Unnecessary
Antibiotic resistance is a hot topic, and for a good reason. The World Health Organization (WHO) sees antibiotic resistance as a huge threat to public health. As antibiotics are used, bacteria changes to resist the antibiotics. The bacteria becomes harder to get rid of, and the antibiotics become less effective. This is a global, timeless phenomenon. Anytime and any way...
Q&A with Today’s RDH Editor, Mark Hartley
Today’s RDH: We don’t want to make any pointed reference to your age, but can we obtain a ballpark guess at how long you’ve been involved with the dental hygiene profession?
Hartley: Well, Dr. Fones passed on almost 50 years before I arrived on the scene. And, Irene Newman passed on almost 30 years before I arrived. Does that...
DNA Proves Causation, Not Just Correlation, to Oral Hygiene and Alzheimer’s
Oral health is a component of overall health. Previously, oral health and overall physical health were seen as separate. Dental hygiene was not often thought of as something that could make a person healthy or unhealthy. If anything, good dental hygiene has often been seen as cosmetic.
New studies have emerged that prove how important oral health is to overall health....
Test Your Pediatric Prescription Toothpaste Knowledge!
Disclosure: This quiz is sponsored content from DenMat as part of our sponsored partner program.
Success Rates of Non‐Surgical Periodontal Therapy in Adult Perio Patients
The International Journal of Dental Hygiene recently released an article, "Success of non‐surgical periodontal therapy in adult periodontitis patients‐a retrospective analysis," that studied adult patients who had undergone periodontal treatment.
About the Netherlands Study
The study that was published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene was led by G.A. Van der Weijden. Van der Weijden is a periodontist and works at the...
Young Appalachian Girls More Likely to Suffer From Hypodontia than Male Peers
Researchers at the West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia have recently discovered a gender disparity among young dental patients. According to their research, female children were more likely to have at least one tooth missing than their male peers. The study was recently published in the April 2019 edition of the Journal of Dental Hygiene under the title, "Hypodontia,...
Survey Assesses Dental Hygienists Knowledge and Practices Towards HPV
Scientists at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in Minneapolis, Minnesota recently examined how dental hygienists discuss the link between Human Papilloma Virus and vaccines with their patients. The study, "Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Human Papilloma Virus Communication and Vaccine Advocacy Among Minnesota Dentists and Dental Hygienists," was published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene.
About Human Papilloma Virus
An...
Research Shows Aloe Vera Mouthwash Can Reduce Gingival Inflammation
Aloe vera is known for its many health benefits. Recently, scientists decided to study whether it could also improve someone's oral health. The results of their research, titled "Efficacy of aloe vera mouthwash versus chlorhexidine on plaque and gingivitis: A systematic review" was published in the March issue of the International Journal of Dental Hygiene.
Aloe Vera Health Benefits
Aloe vera is a...
Test Your Locally Applied Antibiotics Knowledge!
Disclosure: This quiz is sponsored content from DenMat as part of our sponsored partner program.Let's test your locally applied antibiotics knowledge!
Study Investigates Oral Health Awareness and Pregnant Women
Studies have found there is a strong correlation between pregnancy outcomes and a pregnant woman's oral health. The topic of how well health professionals know of this correlation was explored in a recent study titled "Evaluating Oral Health in Pregnant Women: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Health Professionals" which was published in the February 2019 edition of the Journal of...
Research Compares Flossing Techniques for Patients with Type I Gingival Embrasures
The Journal of Dental Hygiene recently published a study titled "Efficacy, Safety and Patient Preference of Knotted Floss Technique in Type I Gingival Embrasures" in their February edition. The research examined the knotted floss technique compared to conventional floss technique in patients with type I gingival embrasures.
About Gingival Embrasures
A gingival embrasure is a medical term used to describe patients with an open...
Study Examines Home Care and Healing after Periodontal Surgery
Periodontal disease has been linked to a wide range of systemic diseases when left untreated. Researchers are working to prevent this by conducting several experiments to determine which home care aids dental professionals can recommend to help with healthier outcomes. An article, titled "Effect of two post‐surgical cleansing protocols on early periodontal wound healing and cytokine levels following osseous...
Study Shows How Dental Professionals Can Help Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders
The Journal of Dental Hygiene recently published a study that focused on a major occupational hazard commonly associated with dental professionals. The article, titled "Magnification and Coaxial Illumination in Dental Hygiene Education: Experience and Attitudes of Clinical Educators," discussed how dental professionals are more at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders and two potential prevention methods.
About Musculoskeletal Disorders
According to the World...
Test Your Oral Cancer Knowledge!
Disclosure: This quiz is sponsored content from DenMat as part of our sponsored partner program.Let's test your oral cancer knowledge!
Clinical Trial Shines Spotlight on Dental Hygiene and Desquamative Gingivitis
The result of a recent study highlights how a structured plaque control intervention can help patients who have desquamative gingivitis. The research, which was published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, is titled "Effect of sonic versus manual supervised toothbrushing on both clinical and biochemical profiles of patients with desquamative gingivitis associated with oral lichen planus: A randomized controlled...
Dental Hygienists and Oral Rapid HIV Testing Study
Scientists at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York recently examined the facilitators and potential barriers to implementing Oral Rapid HIV testing in the dental setting. The test is very helpful for patients who are unaware of their positive HIV status. The study, "Oral Rapid HIV Testing: Implementation experiences of dental hygiene faculty and students," was published in the Journal...
Periodontist & Professor of Dentistry Indicted in College Admission Scandal
On Monday, March 11, 2019, an affidavit was officially filed before Judge M. Page Kelley in a Boston courthouse to support a criminal complaint of college admissions fraud against dozens of wealthy parents, including periodontist and professor of dentistry, Dr. Homayoun Zadeh. Those indicted include celebrities and prominent individuals such as Hollywood actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, as well as former...