ohy Archives - Page 2 of 14 - Oral Health Group

Peri-implant disease: What your patient can do to prevent losing the implant; What you can do to prevent losing the patient

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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

The parent-child interaction in the dental office

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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

Outcomes of using Motivational Interviewing to address nail-biting habits

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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

Using Motivational Interviewing and the Transtheoretical Model to halt early cavities in elite athletes

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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

The dental hygienist as researcher

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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

Undertaking an action research project as a dental hygienist

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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

Insights from an RDH: How to foster lasting patient relationships

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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

The unexpected path from dental hygiene to orthodontic education

Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Liisa Moore, RDH, a practicing dental hygienist turned educator. Liisa is a core presenter and Quality Assurance coach with RDHU. She also considers herself a fitness enthusiast. When not at the office, she is a Certified Personal Trainer, Pilates instructor, and healthy eating … Read more

The responsibility of giving people more than they expect

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Will Guidara, renowned restaurateur and author of Unreasonable Hospitality, emphasizes the importance of “Let your energy impact the people you’re talking to, as opposed to the other way around.” This wisdom isn’t limited to the hospitality industry; it holds relevance in any field where you interact with people, including dentistry. As a dental student, I … Read more

Creating an accepting environment at your practice | Weekly Wisdom

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Dentist and comedian Jeffrey Gurian shares his life motto and offers advice for new dentists about accepting and embracing everyone at your office. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to your inbox every week!

Don’t just drill and fill | Weekly Wisdom

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As new dentists, it’s important to take your time with your patients before picking up the drill. Dr. Aisling Whitaker, CEO of DentalHive, shares why you should spend more time on your diagnosis and treatment planning before jumping right into your treatment. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to … Read more

The journey to dental hygiene for Jazmine Chavez

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

Myofunctional therapy can transform your dental hygiene career

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As a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH), my professional goal has always been to grow and evolve as an oral health provider. Simply, learn all the things—like orthodontics, laser therapy, tooth whitening, adjuncts to periodontal therapy, and so on. I even took on a casual role with my local health unit providing services, education, and screening … Read more

How to develop good oral hygiene for infant patients

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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

The hottest topics in dental hygiene for 2025: Sustainability in dentistry

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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

Everything you need to know about genetic oral testing in dental practice

With the advancement of technology and AI, oral testing is now a popular tool for dental hygienists. But how can you differentiate between the many products on the marketplace? Do all oral tests look at human genetics? Should you prioritize in-office testing over send-away test kits? What’s the difference between salivary diagnostics, genomic sequencing, screening … Read more

How AI and SaaS are transforming dentistry

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Swipe right on smarter smiles The industry is evolving fast, and if you’re not paying attention, you’re already behind the curve. AI and SaaS aren’t just shiny new tools, they’re the foundation of smarter workflows, elevated patient care, and practices built to scale. But it’s not just about adopting technology for the sake of it; … Read more

Value-based care and the value of dental hygienists: A paradigm shift toward better outcomes

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What is value-based care? Value-based care (VBC) aims to improve health outcomes while lowering costs, compensating oral health teams for providing high-quality and cost-effective care. This includes coordinating care, involving a broader health care team, utilizing data to monitor clinical outcomes, and addressing social determinants of health. VBC models, which are slowly taking shape in … Read more