Dental Hygiene

It doesn’t have to be a mentally draining process to obtain continuing education credits. The evolution of technology within our dental careers has allowed for easier access to continuing education opportunities, including blended learning experiences. Many states allow dental hygienists to receive CE via reading, online education, and home-study platforms. Live seminars remain an excellent way to enhance your knowledge...

On October 31st, dental professionals cringe every time the candy lands in the bucket after our kids shout out the expected “Trick-or-Treat!” Once our little ghouls come home with a full bucket of “treats,” the “trick” is keeping their mouths cavity-free. Dental caries among children from ages six through eleven affects up to 21 percent of the U.S. population.1 The...

NOTE: This story and associated photos are all used with express, written permission from the patient. Who among us has had a patient that taking radiographs is a freakish nightmare!? Is it a gag reflex? Ropey, copious saliva? Fear of radiation? Or, the dreaded tori that leave no room for the sensor, let alone the tongue and food!? Recently, I...

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS/free radicals) and antioxidants in the body. Prolonged oxidative stress is associated with a wide range of chronic illnesses, which includes, but is not limited to, cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic inflammation, stroke, and numerous neurodegenerative diseases.1 As with most bodily functions, there is...

Many of my endeavors are for educating and advocating for the utilization of the mobile dentistry delivery model. Consequently, I was very excited when I received an invitation to tour ADI Mobile Health, a manufacturer of mobile health-care clinics. Located in Tualatin, Oregon, ADI is a family-owned business and has been operating for over 27 years. The patriarch, Tim Kitch,...

"Thanks for playing our little game." I'll never forget hearing those words after taking my clinical board exam. My anxiety was already at an all-time high because of the stress that comes with preparing and completing the board exam. The last thing I needed was a snarky remark from one of the proctors. One of the most debated topics in dentistry...

There are many misconceptions regarding oral hygiene and the mouth that some of our patients believe to be true. With a large amount of false information found online, it’s no wonder our patients can be easily led in the wrong direction when it comes to oral health. It’s always important to remember that just because you read something online, doesn’t...

Video sponsored by Cetylite. Kara RDH discusses and demonstrates the features, benefits and technique to use non-injectable Cetacaine Liquid (benzocaine 14%, butamben 2%, tetracaine HCl 2%) in patients, for long lasting anesthesia to the mucous membrane for soft tissue periodontal treatments. A Cetacaine Liquid 30g bottle treats up to 300 quadrants for less than $2 per dose. Anesthesia takes effect...

Hey, all you floss-loving, pick-loving, tooth-brushing enthusiasts, we have a problem here! How often are you in a parking lot and see a discarded floss pick lying on the pavement? It happens all the time. People toss garbage as if it doesn’t matter. We need to educate our patients on excellent home care as well as the proper disposal...

Can we take a moment and address the pink elephant in the room? How often do you hear dentists have a high suicide rate? Maybe you have personally worked for a dentist that took his/her own life. Maybe you or someone you know wants to go to dental school, but the mere fact that looms over the possibility of...