COVID-19

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...

A recent article about negativity in the dental hygiene profession was published in Today’s RDH, and the Facebook posts of the article (here and here) resulted in comments, concerns, and questions about personal protective equipment (PPE) and the current state of dentistry. I thought my article brought out an interesting thought process that should be addressed. One hygienist said, “Our...

Dental professionals could have never imagined a time when dental offices across the country would close with only emergency services deemed essential. The shutdowns imposed on dental offices were meant to shift personal protective equipment to where it was needed most. This created conversations in the dental community on social media filled with worry, confusion, and anger. Most shocking were...

Dental providers are regarded as the go-to for incidents of dental pain and oral health. We are the experts who can provide level-headed instruction and guidance to treat potentially burdensome illnesses and injuries. From the outside, any given dental facility will display organization with its appointment system and systematic medical assessment procedures. Each treatment plan is formulated on a case-by-case...

Are you uncertain about whether you are feeling respected and appreciated in your current employment situation? Multiple options abound in the dental profession. Perhaps it is time to start interviewing for another permanent position. Perhaps a total change is needed, and you crave flexibility. With the current pandemic situation, temporary positions are bountiful. Many hygienists have chosen not to go...

It is no surprise to anyone that our world is a much different place than it was just a few short months ago. Some businesses are still closed. Some restaurants are still only doing curbside service. Some of us were introduced to unemployment benefits for the first time. Masked individuals are a normal part of our everyday lives, and...

Question I’m super frustrated that in order to use the ultrasonic, polish, or even use the air/water syringe, I have to use an HVE to control aerosols. I’m mostly frustrated because the equipment to make using the HVE easier for me is on backorder. How do I even know if what is ordered will control aerosols? What should I do? Kara...

Do you find that the negativity found online has become almost overwhelming? Social media is inundated with horror stories of terrible dental offices and horrible shortages of protective gear. We can scroll for hours and find hundreds of posts and comments revealing fear as well as a lack of respect within the dental office for both staff and patients. This...

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 original article publication (July 2, 2020), but with the rapid changes occurring, some information may have changed since publication. Please visit coronavirus.gov for the latest news and information on COVID-19. Most dental professionals...

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 original article publication (June 28, 2020), but with the rapid changes occurring, some information may have changed since publication. Please visit coronavirus.gov for the latest news and information on COVID-19. The worldwide spread...