Dental Hygiene Irish Blessing
Dental hygienists amaze me. They are some of the most dedicated groups of people on the planet. I felt this month like writing a little “Dental Hygiene Irish Blessing” to my fellow dental hygienist to get you through the day, week, month and years. We here at Hygiene Edge want you to know that you are doing amazing! Keep up the great work!
May your cavi wipes be full and your glove box never empty.
May your fulcrum feel strong and your magnification not weak.
May your alginate not be too runny and your stone not too thick.
May your PPE be cool and your ultrasonic tips not be too hot.
May your patients be kind and your office manager not mean.
May your work week feel short and your weekend long.
May you feel like a valued team member and be the one that patients remember.
May you be rich in your hygiene blessings from this day forward.
-Shelley Brown, RDH
Spear Education Giveaway
A few months ago, I was out for a walk and ran into my neighbor down the street. She is the mom to two little ones. She expressed to me she was tired, which makes sense! However, she mentioned that her little boy, who is 2, was a horrible sleeper. He woke up in the night crying, moved around in his crib all night, was irritable during the day and wouldn't nap. Being a new mom myself, I didn't have any advice for her which I felt horrible about. She had been to her peditrition and they had no solution as well. I casually mentioned if he'd been the dentist yet because hey, you never know.
Fast forward to a few days ago. This friend gave me a call to tell me all about her son and the updates with his sleeping. Turns out seeing the dentist was just what he needed. She scheduled an appointment with a local dentist, and on examination, he saw large tonsils and a blocked airway. A referral to an ENT occurred, surgery happened to remove his adenoids and tonsils, and his sleeping has vastly improved. I was in shock and so impressed that they checked his airway and found the root of his sleeping problem. I unfortunately didn't know much about airway problems in children and felt horrible! As a hygienist I should've known and been able to give more advice to help with my friend's child inability to sleep.
Lucky for me, Spear Education reached out to us at Hygiene Edge and asked us to try out their education system this month. They offer live events, on demand CE courses, and a community of dental professionals to talk and collaborate on cases. They have an amazing course on pediatric airway, how to screen patients, what questions to ask parents, and what do to next if you suspect airway issues which I learned so much. I'm excited to talk to my office about adding screenings for airway issues to our regular hygiene visits and helping people like my dear friend!
Want to try out Spear Education for yourself, and up to 10 others in your practice, for 6 months? Enter to win by commenting below on what your favorite CE topics to learn about are.
Contest Details: Winner, and up to 10 others in your office, will receive 6 months of the Spear Education online access. Winner will be announced on the blog our social media outlets by January 26, 2018. Winner will have 30 days to claim the prize.
Need Free CE Credits? Look No Further.
I'm not going to lie. I love CE's. I love going to classes, learning new ideas, and being inspired. Even with my love of classes, I've still found myself scrabbling for a few extra credits right before license renewal. After having my daughter, getting out of the house for a couple days or even a couple hours is tricky! We've compiled a list of websites so you will never get find yourself in that situation again!
Before taking any online course, I would recommend contacting you State Dental Licensing Board to see their regulations on how many online credits you can take for each renewal period, how many have to be in different topics, and if "live" classes held online can count toward your "live" credits for renewal. Each state is so different, so always double check. To make it even easier, sign up for CE Zoom to help track your credits and to have them double check to see if they're count!
Dental Care by Crest is regularly adding new classes to their long list. These are self study courses, so if you are an audio learner, this might not be the best option for you.
Colgate sponsors live webinars a few times a month. What I love about it is they vary times. Lots of webinars are always held at the same time (8 PM eastern) which doesn't always work for my schedule. So, having them mix it up with times, even having some during the day for hygienists outside of the US, is great! Sign up for their emails to keep updated on their class schedule.
Viva Learning offers several live classes a week, plus keeps these webinars on their website to watch later. This is one of my favorite websites for both dental and dental hygiene topics. Their classes are always 1 hour long and require a little quiz after the webinar is complete.
Hu-Friedy offers classes both on demand and live. Sign up for their emails to know when the class live classes will be held. I recently watched one on subgingivial air power polishing that was very interesting.
These self study courses cover a varitey of topics. One that caught my eye was "Successful Appointment Transitions for the New Dental Hygienist".
Though most of their CE's are paid, they will sometimes offer free classes. They also have great articles to keep up with the latest in dental hygiene.
American Eagle offers a 1 CE credit course on instrumentation and offer it regularly. Keep an eye on their website to find out when the class is held.
Good luck getting that CE, guys!
Where are you favorite places to get CE? What has been your favorite class recently?
Advice for the Recent Dental Hygiene Graduate
Being a recent dental hygiene graduate is full of emotion. For one, relief that you made it through a really tough program! Sadness that you won't see your new best friends that you've been hanging out with every day for the last two years, and nervousness as you set out to find your perfect job. We've been compiling advice from hygienists all over the US and Canada for you recent grads! Things they wish they would've known when they graduated, how to keep hygiene instresting, and how to be dental hygiene for the long haul.
"Try and get as much experience temping in multiple offices as possible. You're able to find out what you like and most of the time, temping can lead to a permanent job." Courtney Calder
"Be confident, especially in your knowledge and skills. However, you must still be teachable and know that you are still going to learn something new every day." Mandy Faucette, graduated in 2012
"The advice I would get be after 30+years is to get to know your patients. Build a relationship. You'll help them want to improve their oral health and do what you ask when they know you care. It's simple. But very powerful." Karen Alston
"I would say my best advice is to value your education and be willing to continue learning. I think we are very well educated and that sometimes we are discredited, by dentists, our patients who think we're the same as assistants, and even each other when people go to different schools. But we are very knowledgeable and have all the knowledge and skills that we need to provide excellent patient care. We need to be confident about that. But at the same time, we also need to be willing to learn from our peers and search out the latest information that is continually being released so we can make sure we are providing the best patient care." Chanci Oyler, graduated in 2008
"You have a professional degree, but your learning doesn't stop now. Take the time to develop yourself personally, gain emotional intelligence, and have courage. Your courage will help you as you evolve professionally but it will also help you uphold your integrity and your dental hygiene oath. Remember the galaxy is your limit!" Jazmin Haley
"When you first graduate, trying to find the perfect job can be tough. Take your time and do a lot of temping to see what you like in an office, what you don't, and to be exposed to many different software systems, instruments, and office dynamics. Don't stress, which I know is hard, if the perfect 5 day/week office doesn't fall into your lap right away. Just like it dental hygiene school, it all works out! Congratulations on joining an amazing profession!" Melia Lewis, graduated in 2009
"One of the most important things is to keep learning and working on developing your skills, especially in dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment planning, also clinical skills take a while before they develop fully.
Also, if you have a diploma or associates degree, get a bachelor's degree ASAP. It won't affect your income in clinical practice, but you will have more career options later on, in case you want a change from clinical practice Also, even if money is tight, get disability insurance. I worked with someone who was in a car collision soon after graduation, she could not work for six months.." Linda Douglas
"GET A MENTOR YESTERDAY and Networking really does matter." Elicia Lucpoli
"Pay attention to the ergonomics/kinesiology experts. Too many careers ruined by bad backs and other chronic workplace injuries in this job. Avoid working in offices with 12 o'clock delivery." Scott Ross
Thank you to everyone who offered advice to our recent grads!
What advice would you give yourself as a recent gradute?
Hygiene Hack: Patient Packets
Try this little trick to save time and lose less supplies since they won't fall on the floor as trays are transferred.
Do you do this in office? What other tricks do you use in office before a patient arrives?
Dental Service
It’s that wonderful time of year to spread joy, love and to help those in need. This time of year always get me thinking about those that so desperately need the services that we provide, but can’t afford it. I have decided to make this post about a few suggestions that you can do to give back to those in need, whether it is during the holidays or a New Year's resolution of yours.
It’s that wonderful time of year to spread joy, love and to help those in need. This time of year always get me thinking about those that so desperately need the services that we provide, but can’t afford it. I have decided to make this post about a few suggestions that you can do to give back to those in need, whether it is during the holidays or a New Year's resolution of yours.
Serve in your own office
Ask your employer if donating services to someone in need. Within HIPPA guidelines, write about it on your office social media page or website.
Another option is doing a free dental service day for those in need.
Check locally to see if there is a community health clinic that you can serve at
An example of this is a community in Utah has set up Community Health Connect which acts as a liaison between professionals and patients in need. They go around and ask for dental/medical offices to provide services to 1-2 patients per year.
Look into a state level service to see if there is a clinic that helps those in need
Check with your local state dental and dental hygiene associations to see
Nationwide service is also an option. Even though we have the best healthcare available right here in America, there are so many that don’t have access to care.
One national organization is called Dental Lifeline. They run a national nonprofit organization that provides access to dental care and education for people who cannot afford it. You can click on your state and see how you can get involved.
Consider International Service
In school, I knew of a group going to Honduras called Smiles for Central America. I would have loved to go, but being a poor college student, it wasn’t the right time. So instead, I helped hold a drive to gather stuffed animals. At the time, their mission was to send every child home with dental care and a stuffed animal.
If something like this is not affordable, you can always look around for sponsors for your trip.
There are so many ways to get involved. Whether big or small, our services are needed. Below are several other service resources I found that may also be an option for you.
Have you served with your dental hygiene expertise? Let us all know what you have done, how it went, and if you would recommend it to another dental hygienist.
The Formula to Happier Patients
"My hygienist wasn't that great. She only used the water." - My Aunt
"My hygienist was super lazy. She didn't even use the water." - My Sister
"My hygienist said I need shots in my mouth and all this stuff... I don't know why. I think she was just confused with all the bleeding." - My Friend
"My dentist wants me to come back after the root canal to get a crown, instead of having the endodontist do the crown. He is definitely trying to get my money." - Another Sister
Yes, there will be some patients that are NEVER happy. But, I think you'll see an increase in satisfaction and compliance among your patients by following the formula below.
State Observation + What you're going to do and why + "Let me know"
Here is an example for a patient that has generalized gingivitis.
Observation: You have 10 areas in your mouth with an active bacterial infection. We used to not be as aggressive treating gingivitis. However, studies are finding a strong link between your body and your overall health. I'm going to do everything I can here and then "adjust" your brushing slightly so you'll be more effective at home.
Procedure/Why: Research shows a mix between this water instrument and hand instruments are the most effective way for removing the harmful bacteria.
"Let me know": If you experience any discomfort, please let me know.
Hygiene Edge Challenge: Follow the above formula for 2 procedures per patient.
Common Errors on the PSA Injection
Taking local anesthesia boards soon? Having trouble getting your patients numb? This video can help with both!
"Does Flossing Really Work?"
As I’m sure you’ve read, seen, and been told about, news stations all over the county reporting that flossing is no longer needed, per the Dietary Guidelines for Americans by the U.S. departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture.
As I’m sure you’ve read, seen, and been told about, news stations all over the county reporting that flossing is no longer needed, per the Dietary Guidelines for Americans by the U.S. departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture. We’ve seen it and our patients have seen it. Tonight on a walk around my neighborhood, 2 people stopped me and asked if the reports were true. If people are asking on the streets, it is guaranteed that you’ll be asked several times a day for the next month or so by patients in your operatory chair.
So, how should you answer patients when they ask, “Does flossing really work?”
First, explain that the Cochrane review used for the research in the new guidelines reviewed only 12 short term trials. These trials only lasted 1-3 months, where periodontal disease can more than 3 months to manifest. Some of these studies did show a decrease in bleeding gums or gingivitis, but not a decrease in caries. Again, caries can take more than 3 months to manifest intraorally. Unfortunately, long term studies take money and not many people are willing to pay for a study to span several years.
Second, explain that from your personal experience with patients, you do see regular flossing and brushing improve oral health. It can help break up biofilms, which are live microorganisms, that can harm both your gums and your overall health.
Third, show your patient the proper way to floss in a mirror with the show, tell, do method right when they ask the question, even if it is before you begin anything. When a patient actually sees biofilm removed interproximally, it can be a big learning tool to the important of interproximal cleaning. I personally like using blue Cocoa Floss or black POH Floss since the color of the floss highlights the biofilm removal. Or, if your patient shouldn’t even be using floss due to large embrasure spaces, educate them on something else that will help with the biofilm break up. Softpicks by Gum have new curved handles, making it easier for patients to use in posterior teeth.
Finally, show the patient how much you care about their overall and oral health by explaining flossing instead of lecturing. Patients are looking for any excuse not to floss, and this news is the perfect out for them. Keep this is mind with your explanation, and hope that it will all be forgotten in a few weeks and they will be back to their regular oral hygiene routine.
How are you fielding the questions about flossing from recent news articles?
YA! A New Instrument For Hygienists-The Boge 513
American Eagle Instruments have released a new instrument called the Boge 513. It has a Hoe on one side and a Nebraska on the other. The best part of this instrument is that it was created by Emily Boge, a dental hygienist. Check out our latest video on how to use it.
Also, would you like to win one? Head on over to our Facebook page HERE to share the video to your dental hygiene friends to be entered to win one for your office.