Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. 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.
Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene as a career?
I enjoy meeting new people and hearing everyone’s stories. If you ask everyone I have worked with, I am probably the voice you can hear down the hall. I’ve also always had this fascination with dental since I had braces when I was about 12. With the combination of both, I am able to connect with people while I also share my love and knowledge for the work we do.
You are certified as a Myofunctional Therapist. Why did you pursue this education and how has it impacted your career?
I have always believed that dentistry involves more than your mouth; it affects your entire body and the functions that align with your lifestyle. As soon as I was exposed to airway health, my interest grew. With my focus being orthodontics for the last 8 years, I saw the need to put together both thoughts and practices. As for the impact on my career, it has opened more doors for me and how I will be able to take care of patients.
You recently were a part of a project to create a new platform to promote accessibility for myofunctional therapy and airway health. What can you tell us about this new project?
“My Tongue Coach” is a platform that was created to make myofunctional therapy more accessible for patients and dentists alike. I am able to provide therapy sessions virtually; so, patients that are unable to find a myofunctional therapist in their area can access us from the comfort of their own home. We are also able to assist doctors that want to promote airway health in their practice have access to these services.
For patients that are doing their own research or are not sure if full therapy is for them, we provide a self-guided program for a set number of weeks to try.
Do you have a mentor in the industry? How did you find them and any advice for finding a Mentor?
I have several mentors for different aspects and timelines in my career. I found that depending on what growth you want and what you desire in your career, there are different pathways where you need all kinds of support. Building that network of supportive people that are willing to help you grow is essential. My best advice in finding a mentor is to find someone/a group of people that have the same drive and vision as you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and to approach someone to better yourself.
What inspired you to create the @thebalancedsmile, the platform for helping families understand the connection between oral health and overall wellness?
I recently had a baby. When I was pregnant, I realized that when joining the mom groups and attending mom sessions there wasn’t enough information on oral health for mothers and children. Either misinformation was being spread or there was a lack of support. I decided to create a platform where I can talk about how airway health contributes to overall health BUT also a place where I can provide families a way to get information that can assist them through this journey. My goal is to bring my “Bump to Brush” project into an actual support group/series in the future.
What kinds of audience questions or feedback have surprised you most — and how have you adapted your content strategy in response?
We are in the era of social media and digital platforms. I realized that most of the time the world is based on convenience and instant gratification. So, something that someone can read in an instant and is available in the palm of their hands, grabs people’s attention more. As soon as you are able to grasp that, you need to provide that constant line of open communication, whether it’s through videos or pictures to create engagement. It can be a bit exhausting, but seeing the response makes it all worthwhile.
What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
I am proud of how I was able to expand my knowledge and my opportunities beyond the scaler. I truly believe that as dental hygienists, we hold a strong platform that can help our patients and community in many ways.
What advice do you have for other dental hygienists looking to expand their opportunities in the field?
- Don’t be afraid to try. As hygienists, sometimes we get stuck in our chair and routine, we forget that we can do much more.
- Invest in yourself, invest in your learning. When you invest in yourself, everyone else will want to invest in you!
What do you like to do for fun?
I am an absolutely crazy Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Raptors fan. This five-foot lady can definitely go toe to toe with all of our rival teams out there! I also like to make things — crochet, clay art, resin pouring.
Favourite dental people/accounts to follow?
There are so many but I would say:
- @thebizofhappiness (Dr. Tarryn MacCarthy)
- @theorthodonticspecialist (Dr. Decker)
- @garyvee
What is the one piece of technology or a product you could not work without?
The iTero or any type of imaging — a picture is worth a thousand words. The ability to show our patients these images empowers them to own their own health.
What is your favourite tv show or movie and why?
The Harry Potter Franchise. Hands down. I think all my Hogwarts friends know why.
Social Media: @mytonguecoach @thebalancedsmile @bitehaus.ca