Crosscheck complete. Ready for departure from one of the most remarkable adventures I’ve had the privilege of embarking on. I’m faced with the incredibly challenging task of describing what seems to be an indescribable dream; a blur of circumstances sous vide in emotions that I had forgotten I was capable of feeling. Hold your hands … Read more
With the ball drop at midnight and the off-key vocals of “Auld Lang Syne” bidding farewell to 2019, we enter a time of both reflection on what the previous year brought, as well as turning our sights to the future bringing new growth, new challenges and new opportunities. As we enter the year 2020 and, … Read more
Have you ever said to a client during their dental hygiene appointment, “oh there is just a little bit of bleeding”? Overall, giving the client the impression, this is expected, normal, or really not something to be overly concerned with. ⠀ Throughout my career I have seen communication strategies of active inflammation evolve, and now … Read more
Dentistry has not been left behind in the influx of volunteer medical health to Haiti, with Global News Canada reporting that North American dentists were heading to the island in their droves to provide much-needed oral care. With each mission treating hundreds of Haitians in need of urgent dental diagnosis and work, the overall picture of dental … Read more
Being pregnant is a wonderful time for women, and it’s packed with so much to do when preparing for their baby. Unfortunately, during this busy time, one of the things that sometimes gets less attention is dental health. This is really is troublesome, because dental issues like gum disease can lead to premature births. In … Read more
I recently had coffee with one of my dental hygiene classmates from the University of Alberta. We reminisced about our days of learning about the profession of dental hygiene with memories of our favourite instructors, exams, radiography labs, petri dishes and dental hygiene clinics. We shared our unique individual amazing stories of our experiences during … Read more
Irene: When did you know you wanted to open your own practice? Michelle: In 2015, the entrepreneurial vision began. Why? I’ve always had a passion for health. For wellness. For connection. For beautiful SMILES. My beginning was a shift. A shift in how the delivery of healthcare services can be provided when we recognize … Read more
Owning my own practice seemed insurmountable in 2010 when I put together my first business plan. It took me three months to add the lines and numbers into various spreadsheets and when I realized that I didn’t have enough money, time or knowledge about business, I put the well-detailed, colour-coded binder in a storage bin … Read more
I’ve been blessed to have an extraordinary support team of friends, family and colleagues who have helped me with every step of our mission, to help ‘Transform the Dental Hygiene Experience’, for the Clinician, the Client and the Practice. It is with this mission in mind that has led me on my quest to create … Read more
As you are all very aware, dental hygienists are educated health professionals who specialize in the promotion of oral health and the prevention of oral diseases. But in the grand scheme of things, you are so much more than that. You are a trusted resource provider. You’re an educator. You’re a professional. You’re more than … Read more
Historical thinking about the role of the dental hygienist as a member of the health care team is that their purpose is primarily auxiliary or clinical.1 However, a paradigm shift in the profession has been in process for several years.2 The shift in dental hygiene emphasizes the roles of educator and health promotor as primary … Read more
In the world of dental hygiene, we commonly refer to routine follow up exams with patients as ‘recall’ appointments. More appropriately, these can be considered re-care exams, as our patients aren’t recalled per se, rather compassionately re-cared for through the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of their oral health. Re-care exams play a very important role … Read more
Forget trying to lose weight for the next selfie on Instagram – get healthy and fit to boost productivity and mental clarity. You see being physically fit has major physiological benefits that go far beyond fitting into your skinny jeans. Exercise scientists have demonstrated that a fit body supports boundless energy, a more robust immune … Read more
As dental hygienists across Canada, we are united and bonded by one major, collective fear: The Continuing Competence, Quality Assurance auditing process. The mere mention of the term elicits a sequence of events including, but not limited to, sweating, blurred vision, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and a sense of overall dread. For many … Read more
As we approach the end of the year, it’s common for many people to look at their bank accounts and question where all the money they made has gone. Taking control of your finances requires discipline and we have provided some tips and tricks that will help you keep more money in your pockets as … Read more
Ivividly remember my interview, first job and very first day. I thought outside of the box to secure my first job. Writing my resume was a challenge being a new graduate without any dental experience. Unlike some of my 2007 graduates, I wasn’t a dental assistant first, and aside from having a dentist of my … Read more
The dental patients we once knew are a thing of the past – much like your old flip phone. Today’s patients are tech savvy, well educated and likely to have researched all of their symptoms and dental treatments prior to arriving in your chair. In today’s competitive landscape, dental care professionals need to inform and … Read more
Have you ever asked for a raise and been declined? What about benefits, new equipment, fancy scrubs or lab coats? I’m guilty. We all have needs and wants. Practice owners have moments of splurge when the cash in pouring in, and the next moment could be a drought. The conversation around money always rears its … Read more
Pediatric patients in the dental office create an interesting environment that can be both exciting and chaotic. Often times, the parents can be far more dramatic than the patients themselves. Parents are trusting your office with their most prized possession. It is imperative for teams to connect both with the parents as well as with … Read more
The integration of services is a route increasingly taken by healthcare organizations to improve outcomes and access, and to reduce costs. A new American study has shown, for example, a greater level of integration in medical services and a focus on patient outcomes can reduce costs significantly.1 Starting in early 2019, new preventive oral healthcare … Read more