Gossip happens every day in dental practices. Not because dental teams are unprofessional. Not because they don’t care. But because dental practices are high-pressure environments where people work closely together, and when frustration or uncertainty isn’t addressed directly, it gets redirected indirectly.
The reality is hygienists already assess caries risk every day. The integration of a CAMBRA-informed approach helps us organize our clinical findings and link categorical risk groups to phased and focused action.
We need to get back to the gold standard of 5% sodium fluoride varnish for our adult patients. We must stop selling our patients short and start providing the elite, preventative treatment they deserve.
The term Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) might seem daunting, but it’s a crucial and positive commitment in oral healthcare — not just another burden.
This month we are showcasing Krystal Afzalzada, B.Ed, RDH, CDAII Educator, advocate for aging populations, and public speaker. With two decades in the dental industry, Krystal empowers professionals with evidence-based tools to improve patient outcomes and elevate standards of care.
Hygiene Spotlight: Fatimah Datoo is a dental hygiene educator currently working full-time as a Dental Hygiene Professor at George Brown College and is the creator of the online education platform “Dental Hygiene Made Easy.”
In this piece, common oral health complications with gum disease during pregnancy, safety of dental X-rays, and preventive care throughout pregnancy will be explored.
Effective oral hygiene instruction and regular recall appointments provide significant benefits for pediatric patients and are an essential part of the overall treatment plan. But what happens when the child you first meet is non-compliant?
Dental hygienists, here is your weekly reminder from Dr. James Younger, CEO and Founder of TempStars, to think about your career holistically. Your hourly rate and compensation matter, but so does your sense of belonging, being respected, opportunities for CE and much more. Consider all of these aspects when deciding where you would like to … Read more
To my students, past and present: your questions, challenges, and successes have shaped me as an educator and continue to remind me of the privilege of teaching in this profession. “Sweetie, make sure you choose a career that you love, because adults spend a lot of time at work.” – R. Pawelczyk, my dad This simple … Read more
When I first began practicing dental hygiene, I quickly realized that our profession had incredible potential—but there were also gaps. Voids that left me asking: why isn’t anyone doing something about this? That question became the spark that ignited my entrepreneurial journey. Spotting the voids My first realization was with instrumentation. Early in my career, … Read more
Leadership roles in dental hygiene are often overlooked. Whether it’s being the owner of your own clinic or taking ownership of the practice you work in, your leadership style may be well positioned for entrepreneurship. Leaders are individuals who guide, inspire, and influence others toward a shared vision. They embody traits like integrity, empathy, resilience, … Read more
To ensure a smooth experience for both the patient being referred and the involved offices, it is crucial to avoid the following mistakes when collaborating with a specialty office.
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the average career span of a dental hygienist is 16 years;1 however, anecdotal evidence suggests it may now range between 5 and 7 years. As I enter my 19th year in this profession, I can’t help but feel saddened by this statistic. I have heard many reasons from dental … Read more
On Track with KathleenYour monthly reset button for professional growth and personal well-being. As dental hygienists, we often move through our days caring for others—patients, colleagues, and families—without realizing how far we’ve drifted from caring for ourselves. The reality is, we all lose our rhythm sometimes. The good news? We can always press the reset … Read more
Navigating the new nicotine landscape The use of oral nicotine delivery products (ONDPs), along with vaping and other modifiable risk factors (MRFs), have surged in the last decade. More recently, the rate of use of novel non-tobacco ONDPs, such as nicotine pouches (NPs), have been increasing—particularly among adolescents in Canada. In 2023 NPs snuck through … Read more
Toothbrushing—everyone knows they should do it, and that it’s the primary way to prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. Yet dental disease remains widespread. Why? As with other forms of preventive healthcare, such as diet and exercise, the problem lies not in knowledge but in the application of knowledge. Patients must be taught, motivated, and … Read more
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Melia Lewis, MED, RDH, an educator and advocate. Melia founded the educational platform Hygiene Edge, where she creates videos to teach new skills, techniques, and products to fellow hygienists. Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene as a career? I have always … Read more
Introduction: Raising the Bar for Attachment Accuracy Invisalign and other clear aligner therapies continue to evolve, with increasing case complexity and more sophisticated treatment goals. As a dental assistant and educator working chairside with general dentists and orthodontists, one of the most impactful clinical procedures I assist with is attachment placement. These composite buttons are … Read more
Preventive services are at the forefront of medical, fitness, and nutritional research. Everyone talks about prevention, but very few people adhere to it long-term, and that is what really counts in all preventive programs. It is easy to fall off the wagon and get discouraged. There are many causes why prevention eventually fails, but the … Read more