Patient Care

Years ago, when working for a dental practice in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I encountered my first patient diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The disease is often called Lou Gehrig's disease, deriving its name after an American professional baseball player who played for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1939. I knew about Lou Gehrig and the disease both...

One of the most important aspects of an appointment is reviewing health histories with patients.  Every dental hygienist has experienced that moment, where one checked box sends our minds searching for the right questions to determine if it is safe to proceed with treatment for both the patient and ourselves. Tuberculosis tends to be one of those recurring conversation topics...

Do you clench or grind your teeth? Wake up with headaches or stiff, tight muscles in your face? So many people are affected by the daily stress of life which can lead to clenching and grinding. Improper occlusion or airway issues can lead to bruxism and TMJ issues. Too much caffeine or too much gum chewing can lead to...

Dental hygienists often provide dental care for expectant mothers and new parents, and it is important to educate expectant mothers on how their oral health may affect a baby's health. Upon providing each pregnant patient with adequate education about her own oral health needs, expectant mothers and new mothers will often ask, "How should I care for my infant's...

Fear, anxiety, or phobia, tend to be used interchangeably when describing emotions about the dental office, and I’ll refer to these terms as a whole as being apprehensive. Fewer dental patients are enthused about visiting the dentist versus those who don’t. Dental apprehension can affect oral health by delaying or avoiding care, causing extensive or complex treatments, including oral...

Sulfa allergies and sulfite allergies are sometimes confused during conversations with dental patients. The names are very similar, and patients can be uncertain about which allergy they experience. This misperception has the potential to result in an overcautious approach when choosing the proper dental anesthetic for patients, as well as possibly an incorrect antibiotic regimen. Conversing with the patient...

The work environments of dental hygienists are not all the same; some are private practices, while some are group practices (DSO) or public clinics. Dental hygienists also treat patients in different ways, depending on allowable duties and/or equipment available in the office ‒ all according to the individual patient's needs. Many dental providers understand the "traditional" way of dental hygiene...

Disclosure: This article is sponsored content from Septodont as part of our sponsored partner program. During my early years in dentistry, I was a dental assistant before going to dental hygiene school. I have a distinct memory that is seared into my brain of a child around five years old who had restorative work completed only to return the next day with...

What will you see when driving down any country highway in Montana? Our country's flag is flapping in the cool Chinook winds, sun-faded John Deere green tractors, a rancher, riding horseback with his sly heeler dog, fields of golden Montana wheat rippling upward to the Snowy Mountains ‒ iconic western imagery and home to the state's residents. You will also...

We have all experienced the child patient who sits down in your chair after having sealants placed six months ago … and they’re gone. Just like the mystery behind the establishment of Stonehenge, it’s the curious case of the missing sealants! Looking back, you were the one who placed them, and the progress notes indicated no issues. You did not...