Dental Hygienist Spotlight: Helen
Name: Helen
Currently going to school where? When are you graduating? Seattle Central College, June 2018
What do you love so far about dental hygiene? I love interacting with patients and providing them with the best care possible.
Your favorite subject in hygiene school? My favorite subject in hygiene school is local anesthesia.
What do you love (qualities/style of teaching, etc) in a professor/clinical instructor? I am a visual learner so I enjoy powerpoint presentations. I like having demos at the start of clinical sessions and hands on practice so I can have the actual experience during clinical sessions.
What are you hoping to do after you graduate (like where you want to work/what kind of practice?) I am hoping to work at my private practice that I have been working as a dental assistant for the past 5 years. I would also like to try temping around at other offices to see what other offices are like.
Any funny stories from hygiene school? I cannot remember any funny stories so far but if I do, I’ll make sure to share it on my page.
What interested you in starting a DH school vlog? I started dental hygiene school by creating an Instagram account to document my journey throughout the program but as I entered my 2nd year I thought it would be great to show others who are interested in the profession to see what dental hygiene school is like through vlogs of dental hygiene school and parts of my daily life which I post weekly videos on YouTube. I am hoping to spread the awareness of the profession and hopefully create videos to give tips and advice in the near future to those who are interested in becoming a dental hygienist too! My Instagram account is _dentalhygiene and my videos can be viewed through the link in my bio.
Any advice for a hygiene student just starting out? Dental hygiene school can get pretty overwhelming with the amount of course load and clinical hours to fulfill. Try to balance your life out and take it day by day. Find time for yourself to keep doing the things you enjoy and everything will be ok in the end. Teamwork is key so make sure you are always communicating and helping your classmates out.
Do you know a hygienist that is amazing and should be spotlighted? Email us @ hygieneedge@gmail.com.
OneTen Sharpening System Giveaway Winner
Congrats Rebecca!
Please email us @ hygieneedge@gmail.com to claim your prize!
And thank you to everyone who entered our latest video away! Keep an eye on our social media for other great giveaways, plus follow along DH Cube's Facebook for updates from their amazing company.
Scoop Technique Review
Nothing is worse than a needle stick in clinic. This quick video shows a simple but important skill- how to properly scoop and recap a needle to avoid harm.
Improve Your Oral Cancer Screenings
Looking for a new and simple way to up your hygiene appointment? What about focusing on oral cancer screenings and adding a device to help you see suspicious areas? We recently tried out the OralID system from Forward Science and loved it. It's light weight, easy to use, and doesn't require special filters. Check out our latest video showing how it works.
Do you use any oral cancer screening device in your office? What do you use? Let's talk about it below!
Dental Hygienist Spotlight: Deborah McGlynn
Name: Deborah McGlynn RDH, BS
Where you went to school/graduation year?
Clark College, Vancouver, WA. Graduated 1981 from Dental Hygiene
University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Graduated 1983 with BS
What are you doing know?
I work in private practice 3 days per week
Train dental hygiene students and hygienists privately on clinical skills and ergonomics,
I am the Managing Director and Continuing Education Officer for my company DH Cubed, LLC
What was the inspiration of your new business?
I started DH Cubed, LLC because as a personal dental hygiene trainer of 17 years and a dental hygiene educator for 13 years prior to that, I began to realize every person I gave private lessons to needed help on the same fundamental concepts. I started to brainstorm on how I could get this live training to more people. This is what inspired me to begin to develop the experiential, innovative training we have developed at DH Cubed.
I am very passionate about bringing ergonomics to dental hygiene to decrease the work related injury rate that is present. The basis of our training is to increase skills and efficiency while decreasing pain and injury for dental hygienists.
Any funny stories from practice?
After being a hygienists for 36 years it’s hard to pick just one funny story, given the nature of working with people right?! But, one of the funniest things that sticks in my mind is the time I was working on a 8mm pocket on #16D!!!!!! HARD!! Right? I was struggling and thinking so hard about what I was feeling and trying to get into the pocket, let alone get to the base of the pocket! About 10 minutes into this struggle I realized I had my left fulcrum finger for my mirror anchored up the patients left nostril…holding on for dear life!!! I couldn’t believe it! What was I going to say to the patient or how was I going to get my finger out of his nose gracefully!! What must he be thinking? To save both of us embarrassment, I just quietly removed my finger, changed my glove, and went back to working on the distal of #16. I didn’t say a word!
To this day I still don’t know what that patient must have been thinking!
Any advice for a brand new hygienist?
Never give up! Never give up on yourself and never give up on your patients. There are days when this job is really difficult. You have to deal with patient’s fears, stressors they may be experiencing by being there or just in their lives, your stressors, working in a tight confined space in the mouth, let alone the mess their mouth may be in.
Never give up! This career is so rewarding. I love the challenges it gives me. The challenge of calming the patient down and having them smile at the end of the appointment, the challenge of getting their mouth really healthy and having them take on the responsibility of taking care of their own health, the challenges of connecting with that teenager that barely says anything while in your chair, the challenges of keeping yourself motivated…and on and on and on….
You can make your career whatever you want it to be! Why not make it great!
Want to win a OneTen for yourself, plus receive 2 free CE's when you learn about all sharpening and their product? "Like" the DH Cubed Facebook page, then comment below how you currently sharpen (sharpening service, paper guide, eyeball it, etc.) We'll pick a winner next week!!
What Your Patients are Saying About: AP24 Toothpaste
If you're on social media at all, you've probably seen the posts- the ones with amazing whitening results after a few days of using a new unnamed toothpaste. Let's dig in a bit more on this new product that so many people were talking about and selling through social media.
1. AP 24 toothpaste is from a company called Nuskin, a multilevel marketing company that sells different skin care products. People sign up to be a distributor of the products then do their own promoting of them. That is definitely why it grew so fast on social media since individuals would make their own claims and take their own photos and it caught on to others.
2. If you're wondering what's the deal with the toothpaste and if it actually will live up to it's claims, look at the ingredients. Here is a breakout of each ingredient and what it is used for:
Sodium Monofluorophosphate- fluoride to help protect enamel
Water- prevents drying of product
Hydrated Silica- tasteless, white, gelatinous substance that has a slight abrasiveness
Sorbitol- sugar substitute for flavor
Alumina- slight abrasive
Glycerin- prevents drying of product, can contribute to a flavor-extending effect, helps with preservation
Tetrasodium- tarter control agent removing calcium and magnesium from saliva
Pyrophosphate- emulsifier and thickening agent
PEG-12- mild abrasive, prevent water loss and acts as a stabilizer for the product
Dimethicone- antifoaming agent
Poloxamer 338- surfactant
Poloxamer 407- surfactant
Cellulose Gum- thickener
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate- foaming agent
Flavor (Aroma)- taste
Sodium Saccharin- artificial sweetener for taste
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)- coloring to make the product white
As you can see, there isn't an actual whitening ingredient in this paste like a baking soda or a hydrogen peroxide. So the whitening claims are a little fishy to me.
3. From the Nuskin fact sheet, the AP24 toothpaste as an RDA of 70-80. Studies have shown that toothpastes under an RDA value of 250 are acceptable to use. Based on the abrasiveness, this toothpaste is safe to use.
4. The paste is very similar to other over the counter toothpastes but has a higher $20 price tag. We've had patient's swear by it and it has helped their gingivitis because they will use it! One patient reported that since they spent $20 on a toothpaste, they were definitely going to use it all. Hey, whatever to help our patients keep up with their home care!
Since social media isn't going anywhere anytime soon, a new dental fad will probably pop up in a few months. And when you see it, don't be shy to dig a little deeper on the claims that are being made. Doing a little research will help you become the best hygienist and be able to accurately educate your patients on safe and healthy oral hygiene practices.
Have you tried the AP24 toothpaste? What was your experience? What have you patients been saying about it?
Dental Hygienist Spotlight: Susan Cornwell
Name: Susan Cornwell
Schooling: I attended Western Carolina University from 92-94 and then transferred to Asheville Buncombe Community College for 94-96 where I received my Associates in Allied Health.
Where do you work now? I have worked in specialty offices such as perio, pedo, clinical health department setting and for the last twelve years for Dr. Jason Shook which is a great general dentist office. I currently work three days a week and also occasionally do temp work in the Western part of North Carolina. I am also the OSHA coordinator for our office for the last 5 years.
What's one piece of advice you'd give a new hygiene grad? I have had some work related aches and pains and wish I could tell my younger self to learn all you can about ergonomics in the dental office and do it!
I have three great kids and my oldest is working as a dental assistant at a local orthodontic office. Dentistry is a field where you can be set in your ways or open to new ideas and techniques. I choose to stay motivated, to never stop learning. I choose to get to know my patients, to help people have good dental health and love their smile. Its the prettiest thing we will ever wear.
Thank you Susan for being spotlighted on Hygiene Edge! If you or someone you know would like to be recognized for being an amazing hygienist, let us know! Email hygieneedge@gmail.com
Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month
It’s October- the best month of the year! How are you celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month? We have a few ideas that will make the month a little more fun, help educate your current patients, and may even bring in a few new ones.
1. Film a simple video on proper brushing, floss, and how to use an interproximal aid and post them on your social media accounts. With the holiday season coming up, your patients definitely need a refresher to keep their oral hygiene habits up.
2. Do a toothbrush trade in. Have people from your community, patients or not, be able to come to your office to trade in old toothbrushes for new ones. You could include OHE cards in the bags, as well as business cards. Advertise your event with a Facebook ad.
3. Get all your hygiene friends that are still in your area together for lunch. Bring old photos of your hygiene school days because nothing is better than seeing you all together in the same colored scrubs that you still can’t wear to this day.
4. Make tiaras out of medium toothbrushes, since no one should be using them, for the hygienists (that includes yourself!) in your office.
5. Contact your local news or radio station. See if they’d be interested in doing a short segment on oral hygiene habits or dental fads. These segments are usually casual and only a couple minutes. It’d be great exposure for hygienists, for our office, and for your resume! If you need ideas on what to talk about, email us!
6. Read a new book! Right now we are reading Teeth, an interesting look at dental care in America, how it has changed over the years, and the important role of dental hygienists.
7. Are painted rocks popular where you are? Paint some rocks with a dental theme or dental facts and hide them around your town. Put your office name on the back and even a hashtag so you can see where they end up!
Make October the best month by setting a few new traditions for yourself and your office. Hygienists are smart, kind, and educated and definitely deserve being celebrated!
What do you do to celebrate the month?
Win A Hygiene Career Makeover for National Dental Hygiene Month
We, and several other companies, love dental hygienists. That is why for National Dental Hygiene Month, we are doing an ultimate giveaway to one hygienist in need of a hygienist makeover.
The contestants of this competition are entered by NOMINATION. So think of your best dental hygiene friend and nominate them by telling us why they deserve a hygiene makeover in the comments below or by emailing us at hygieneedge@gmail.com. The lucky winner will receive the following awesome products/services:
1. Resume Creation Service through gethiredrdh.com
Doug Perry is a highly-recommended career coach who works one-on-one with dental hygienists to create attention-grabbing resumes, cover letters, and other job search materials that get results. He also works with dental industry speakers and consultants to create marketing plans and materials (including websites), to successfully launch their career. Visit his website at www.gethiredrdh.com. You can reach him at doug@gethiredrdh.com or (801) 683-9664.
2. TWO of American Eagles XP Blackjack Instruments
That means no more sharpening!! Check it out in our video HERE.
3. One Set Of MAEVN Scrubs From The EON Collection
Our Eon Brand introduces COOLMAX® fabric technology by Invista. This technology employs specially engineered fibers designed to draw moisture away from the skin, keeping the wearer cool and dry. This wash and wear material is wrinkle-resistant with minimal shrinkage. The lightweight, soft and breathable mesh material combined with our styling gives you a touch of performance while maintaining a professional look. Check out the Eon line here to find your perfect style.
4. Dental Hygiene Nation Water Bottle Here
Keep hydrated between patients with your own "tooth fairy juice." Drinking water throughout the day is the first thing to go when it's busy, but it is so important to keep your body and mind alert.
5. A CordEZE Wristband
This handy invention by a dental hygienist manages cords for power driven scalers and definitely helps with hand ergonomics. Check it out in use in our video HERE.
6. Hygienist Necklace From The Hygiene Edge Store
Because who doesn't need something simple and cute to wear along with your scrubs everyday?
We want to give a special thanks to our generous donors gethiredrdh.com, American Eagle Instruments, Maven Scrubs, and Dental Hygiene Nation.
The winner will be announced on October 20, 2017. The winner will have 1 month to claim their prizes. Entries accepted from the US only.
The Dental Hygiene Scoop
Here is the scoop on interesting things about oral health that you may have missed this month.
1. Hate probing? Find out HERE about an up-and-coming technique where patients will swish with ink from a squid that flows into the pockets; then an image is taken that reads all the probe depths. YAY, we will be even more loved by patients, and we will all have calibrated probe depths.
2. A teething ring for erupting 3rd molars is a real thing. A dental student invented the EZteether for those whose wisdom teeth are coming in. Check them out HERE I suppose it is slightly more sophisticated looking than having your 17 year old chew on a baby teething ring.
3. Get ready for patients asking about CNN's report about a study about fluoride exposure in utero is linked to lower IQ in kids. RDH magazine wrote an awesome article on how to address this with your patients HERE.
4. This month the Modern Hygienist reported about the 8 crazies dental emergencies HERE. The one about a tomato seed sprouting in the gingiva is GROSS!!!!!! What is the nastiest thing you have found in the mouth? Mine was a fingernail wrapped around the facial of 20. EWWW
5. What is an RDA value? Check out our video HERE, as patients are asking about how abrasive toothpastes are.
6. I love new products! Check out the Optragate HERE, and get those cheeks out of your working way.