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?
For many dental clinicians, retirement is not a date on a calendar—it is a long negotiation between logic and identity. It is a psychological and financial transition, often delayed by the question few dentists say out loud: Who will treat my patients the way I do, or better?
January 21, 2026, was Bell Let’s Talk Day: a day in Canada dedicated to shining a light on mental health and the very real challenges so many people face. Around that time (or perhaps thanks to the mysterious workings of social media algorithms), I started seeing an unusual number of posts about something that quietly … Read more
This case report describes a rare instance of a five-year-old pediatric patient who exhibited extreme refusal to eat or drink for approximately 1 week following anesthesia for full-mouth dental restorations.
Burnout is a silent health and productivity killer. One day you’re managing fine, the next you’re staring at your schedule, wondering how you’ll make it through another packed afternoon of procedures. Your loyalty to precision work, patients, and that stack of lab cases begins to waver. The World Health Organization calls it an occupational phenomenon … Read more
The Cambridge dictionary defines “closure” in several instances. For example, in business it is when the business ceases to operate and we experience the loss of a favorite place to shop or have a meal. Whereas when dealing with emotions, it is often defined as “the feeling or act of bringing an unpleasant situation, time, … 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
To most of the world an inch is a small amount of space. To a dentist that’s at least three teeth. Dentists spend their whole professional lives working inside of a tooth, with literally only millimeters of room to work in. A molar is maybe 7-8 millimeters wide. So, spending a lifetime worrying about drilling … Read more
We’re entering a bold new era of healthcare—one shaped by personalized medicine, preventative care, and a more integrative understanding of the body and mind. And at the heart of this evolution is something long overlooked: oral health. Once seen as separate from the rest of the body, it’s now recognized as a cornerstone of lifelong … Read more
Whether you’re a general dentist, hygienist, assistant, or specialist, the dentistry profession often requires long hours and emotional investment. While the rewards of the profession can be great, the high-stress nature of dental practice can leave little energy for the people you care about most. Over time it can quietly take a toll on relationships … Read more
Comedian and dentist Jeffrey Gurian shares the importance of healing your heart wounds in order to be the best person and dentist you can be. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to your inbox every week!
In today’s world, the boundary between personal and professional life has never been thinner. Social media, once a casual way to stay connected with friends and colleagues, now holds the power to shape—and sometimes shake—a professional career overnight. In dentistry, where precision, decorum, and trust are paramount, the pressure to maintain a flawless image feels … Read more
In a busy work environment like a dental office, Peter Barry reminds us how important it is to be mindful. Mindfulness helps you stay focused and create a positive experience for your colleagues and patients. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to your inbox every week!
This report was inspired by the ideas and thinking of Bill Perkins—hedge fund manager, world-class poker player, asymmetric thinker, and entrepreneur worth hundreds of millions. Summary Most dentists will work themselves into the ground and have almost nothing to show for it—because they never fix the real problem. They play small, they move slow, and … Read more
The outside world seems to be combusting nowadays: Countries are engaged in tariff wars. Stock markets are extremely volatile. Conflict rages on in Ukraine and the Middle East. Global climate change impacts our daily lives. AI is sparking ethical debates. We’re in the midst of a very close federal election. Residential real estate sales across … Read more
It’s exam season, but when isn’t it? We’ve spent months cramming endless material, running on caffeine and deadlines, while balancing clinic, classes, and whatever is left of our personal lives. The weight of it all is heavy. The pressure to perform, the financial strain, the unspoken fear of falling short. In dental school, there’s no … Read more
Background In the ever-changing world of healthcare, innovation often arises from blending diverse fields and exploring unconventional approaches. Dr. Louis Bourget exemplifies this with his groundbreaking work at the crossroads of medicine, physiology, and veterinary science. With a strong foundation in physiology and extensive experience in areas such as dental surgery and facial reconstruction, Dr. … Read more
The holiday season, while filled with festivities, often brings unique stressors that can affect both dental professionals and their patients. For providers, the increased demand for appointments before the year’s end can lead to longer hours, fatigue, and heightened stress. At the same time, patients may grapple with financial pressures, or feelings of loneliness and … Read more
Introduction The connection between mental health and overall well-being is significant, yet the role of dental visits in this context is often overlooked. Dental hygienists, who spend considerable time with patients, are uniquely positioned to observe changes in behavior, mood, and physical symptoms that could indicate mental health concerns. By incorporating routine mental health screenings … Read more
A friendly environment is ideal for patients and dentists alike, but it needn’t take much effort to cultivate such an atmosphere. Rather, simple measures that enhance efficiency and employee wellness affect how your office runs and patient outcomes. There are various ways to approach this. Some are based on practical streamlining, while others attend to … Read more