Dear RDH new grads, congratulations on finishing dental hygiene school! But remember, being a dental hygienist requires continual learning and growth. Fiona Mattrasingh from @dearrdhnewgrad shares her tips for how to start your journey of continual growth. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to your inbox every week!
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month we are showcasing Kevin Ohashi Lopez, MHA, BSDH, RDH. Kevin is a clinician, international speaker, author, educator, and influencer in dental hygiene. He is a recipient of the 2024 Sunstar/RDH Award of Distinction. Your passion for dental hygiene is clear. In one Instagram post, you called … Read more
As dental hygienists, we are part of a vibrant and essential workforce. There are approximately 33,500 registered dental hygienists in Canada, according to the Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada (FDHRC), and over 214,700 dental hygienists in the United States, based on data from the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA, 2024). Each of us … Read more
Meet Cheryl, a 52-year-old patient who has been coming to your office every six months for over a decade. She’s loyal. She’s trusting. And like many patients, she doesn’t ask too many questions, until something didn’t add up. At her last visit, she saw a dental hygienist she had not met before. This time, her … Read more
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Lisa Hardill, RDH, BHADM, Clinical Development Manager. With 20+ years in the dental industry, Lisa has worked in public health, private and independent practice. In her current role with one of Canada’s largest DSOs, she coaches other professionals on clinical development. Do you … Read more
Menopause is a silent epidemic, an often-overlooked transition that impacts every cell in the body, including the mouth. As a dental hygienist, educator, and woman who has experienced a hysterectomy and early menopause myself, I know firsthand the power of connection, education, and advocacy when it comes to navigating this challenging season of life. Sleepless … Read more
“Please don’t give me a lecture on flossing today.” I am sure that you have heard this countless times from patients before. You knew that it was coming as the same patient has asked you the same request during the visit before, and the visit before that. When I first started practicing dental hygiene, I … Read more
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc, a passionate dental hygienist and educator, and member of Oral Hygiene’s Advisory Committee. She is the founder and president of rdhu, a dental hygiene education centre that provides inspiring, hands-on learning experiences for hygienists across Canada. Why did … Read more
Tremendous strides have been made in both the construction and the placement of modern dental implants compared to earlier iterations. Yet, the prevalence of peri-implant disease continues at an alarming rate. In a meta-analysis of 110 clinical studies examining the extent of peri-implant disease affecting more than 12,000 active dental implants, it was shown that … Read more
Treating children, not teeth The assessment of the child-parent interaction is important in determining how to deal with the dental situation. First of all, I recommend the doctor does an initial exam and have the preventive aspect at a follow-up appointment. For young children, timing is important—a morning appointment is highly recommended. Children are more … Read more
This research paper explores the effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing (MI) in addressing and assisting participants in overcoming nail-biting habits. The study aimed to understand how MI could be used as a behavioural intervention to support individuals in making positive changes regarding this common yet challenging habit. The outcomes of the study were notably positive. Motivational … Read more
An elite athlete presented with multiple areas of incipient interproximal caries. Through ongoing learning of behaviour modification techniques and evidence-based decision-making, incorporating the patient’s goals and preferences, the latest research, and clinician expertise were imperative. Initially, my participant presented with a high caries risk assessment and an initial Plaque Index of 68%. Reducing his risk … Read more
Roles of the dental hygienist The key responsibilities of dental hygienists1 include health promotion, education, clinical therapy, research, change agent, and administration. We are familiar with some of these roles, especially clinical therapist and educator. The roles of researcher and change agent are not as widely fulfilled, yet they are vital to advance the profession and … Read more
Have you ever considered undertaking your own action research project? It’s an intriguing concept, isn’t it? We engage in research daily, often without even realizing it. At rdhu, we encourage our members to plan their year around topics that truly interest them. We offer complimentary webinars designed to spark curiosity and leave you eager to delve … Read more
As a registered dental hygienist with fourteen years of experience, one of the most fulfilling and rewarding aspects of my career is the relationships that I have built with my patients and their families. Not only do I have the privilege of following a patient’s journey to improving their oral health, but I also get … Read more
Treating children, not treat Fluoride dental treatment has been around for about 75 years, serving hundreds of millions of people without any proof of detrimental effects, unless over ingested. The great majority of cases being dental fluorosis. Fluoride works on the dental complex in three essential ways. But there are two modes of action: systemic … Read more
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Jazmine Chavez, RDH, Founder of Pearl House Studio, which provides a modernized approach to preventative dental hygiene care. Last year, Jazmine stepped into a role at The Dental HyGenius, which helps dental professionals master the business side of dentistry. Why did you … Read more
Treating children, not teeth Infant toothbrushing is not really important until about the ages of two and a half to three. The reason is that there are large interproximal spaces between the erupting teeth and all the surfaces, especially the interproximal surfaces which are self-cleaning. At two-and-a-half to three years, the second primary molars erupt … Read more
As the dental profession navigates a rapidly evolving landscape, one theme is set to dominate conversations in 2025: sustainability. With increasing awareness of climate change and environmental challenges, the integration of eco-friendly practices in dental hygiene is no longer optional, it’s essential. Understanding sustainability in dentistry Sustainability in dentistry is about balancing oral health and … Read more
Dalhousie University announced Tuesday that it will offer a new Bachelor of Dental Hygiene Honours program, with classes beginning in September 2025. The university’s current Diploma in Dental Hygiene will be renamed the Bachelor of Dental Hygiene, while the existing Bachelor of Dental Hygiene will become the Bachelor of Dental Hygiene Honours. “Apart from the … Read more