The importance of regular recall exams must be clearly communicated to patients, along with the benefits of maintaining a recall schedule tailored to their specific needs. Establishing measurable goals and parameters allows both the practitioner and the patient to monitor progress or detect regression in oral health conditions.
The removal of a standardized clinical competency examination raises an important question: Is academic evaluation alone sufficient to ensure readiness for independent clinical practice?
Most dental practices don’t fail suddenly. They slowly lose momentum. The real problem isn’t effort, it’s invisible inefficiencies. These are the silent killers of practice performance.
For years, dental hygienists have searched for the perfect dental office. The perfect schedule. The perfect dentist. The perfect patients. The perfect culture. Eventually, most discover a hard truth: No dental office is perfect. Not because dentistry is broken. Not because teams do not care. But because every practice model carries trade-offs. Yet many dental … Read more
Patients don’t need a perfect dental hygienist. They need a present, prepared, and intentional one. The question is: Will you choose to stay comfortable…or will you choose to become unstoppable?
As dental hygienists, once a patient walks through your door and settles into your chair, something powerful begins to unfold. The During Experience is where trust is built—or quietly broken.
Are you a student or new grad? Then it’s time to find a dental mentor. Fiona Mattrasingh aka @mouthboxx shares how finding a mentor helped her career and gives a few tips for finding a mentor that is the right fit for you and your career goals. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the … Read more
As dentistry continues to move toward data-driven decision-making, tools that close the diagnostic gap in hygiene are becoming essential to sustainable practice growth.
January is a perfect moment to pause and ask an important, guiding question: Where could I enhance and elevate the care I provide to my clients this year? Growth in dental hygiene doesn’t always require dramatic change. More often, it begins with honest assessment, thoughtful reflection, and intentional decision-making.
This month we are showcasing Precious Rios, RDH, Myofunctional Therapist, and Ortho Coordinator. Precious is passionate about helping families understand the powerful connection between oral health, breathing, and overall wellness.
Dr. James Younger, CEO of TempStars, shares some advice for those in the dental job market right now. While focusing on the interview questions being posed to you is important, make sure you are also asking questions on your own behalf to ensure the office is the right fit for you. Subscribe to Oral Health’s … Read more
On Track with KathleenYour monthly reset button for professional growth and personal well-being As dental hygienists, we often think of the appointment as starting when our patient sits in the chair. But from your patient’s perspective, their journey begins much earlier. The before experience—everything that happens leading up to the appointment—sets the tone for how … Read more
Just because you graduate, doesn’t mean you need to stop contact with your classmates. Fiona Mattrasingh aka @mouthboxx shares the many benefits of staying in touch with your peers, from job opportunities to advanced knowledge, as you go down different pathways in your careers.
As dental hygienists, we spend much of our time focusing on clinical care. Yet from your patient’s perspective, their experience extends far beyond the chair.
Luminita Dica, RDH, has been named a 2024 Sunstar RDH Award of Distinction winner. She operates Lumi’s Dental Hygiene Care, an independent dental hygiene clinic serving the Kitchener–Waterloo area. Dica graduated from a dental hygiene program in 2008 after returning to school from a previous career as a dental assistant. Since then, patients have come … Read more
Are you a new grad looking to gain more experience at different practices? Fiona Mattrasingh aka @mouthboxx recommends temping at the beginning of your RDH career as it allows you to see the differences between offices. This will ultimately help you figure out what kind of office you want to work at in the future. … Read more
With complete honesty, there were two primary reasons I joined the dental field: I’ve always loved teeth and everything about them, and I saw dentistry as a path to financial success. In the beginning, those were the only two things I sought, believing they would bring me lasting satisfaction in my career. Once I began … Read more
In the world of dental hygiene, there are leaders who don’t just practice the profession—they elevate it. One such leader is Ann Cadoret, MS, MPH, whose career has taken her from animal science to chair side care, and, ultimately, into consulting, mentorship, and innovation. I had the privilege of sitting down with Ann to hear … Read more
There’s a shift happening in dentistry that goes beyond technology and trends. We’re entering a time when authenticity, communication, and confidence are redefining what leadership looks like in this profession. Whether you’re a hygienist, assistant, dentist, manager or DSO executive, 2026 is the year to step up and speak out. When I began my career … Read more
Congratulations! After years of demanding coursework, late-night study sessions, and challenging clinicals, you are about to embark on an incredibly rewarding journey as a dental hygienist. As a practicing dentist for over 26 years, I still feel a surge of excitement when I connect with those entering this profession that we care so much about. … Read more