Why I Attend Dental Hygiene Conferences
In the beginning of 2010, I was a Dental Hygiene student just starting the last half of my first year. I had entered Dental Hygiene school six months earlier to become a dental hygienist. I however, did NOT know what a dental hygienist actually was, despite having worked in a dental office for years.
Six months into school, my eyes were opened, and the passion for the profession of Dental Hygiene was lit. Gratefully, I had an incredible mentor Erika Hammond, who saw how much I wanted to learn, change and become. She encouraged me to apply to be the ADHA District X student delegate. I took that nudge and got my application in, barely, at the finish line of the deadline. The application asked what qualities a student delegate should possess. I wrote: “A Student Delegate who possesses leadership, responsibility for the profession, and the desire to serve, will be a valuable Student Delegate.” What I didn’t know at that time was that I would be chosen as the Student Delegate and that attending the ADHA Annual Conference was going to uniquely change my life. I didn’t know that attending would enrich my understanding of what leadership meant. I didn’t know that I would walk away forever changed by what it means to take responsibility for my profession, nor was I prepared for how the service of others would change the trajectory of my professional life.
Watching fellow hygienists lead through engaging in opportunities for education, collaboration and advocacy gave me a broader view of what a Dental Hygienist is, and can be, when we work together. I remember being led by Dr. Esther Wilkins down the hall to my next class (because I couldn’t catch up with her, she was fast!). She then showed leadership, by taking time to speak with me about my dental hygiene student experience, and offered me support and encouragement.
It can be easy to get tunnel vision in our journey as a dental hygienist, in 2010 I certainly had student tunnel vision. Matthew McConaughey in that characteristic accent said “The best education I’ve had in my life is to travel.” Going to ADHA Annual Conference is an opportunity to travel to many places at once, all in one spot. Annual Session gave me a WIDE view of what other dental hygienists were doing in the profession and blew my tunnel vision to bits. In my application I wrote ““A student delegate needs to have the desire to use their education and skills to help their fellow hygienists, students and the community. As you share with others the service is reciprocated creating a better student, clinician, and person.” Seeing other hygienists taking responsibility for their profession by supporting it, advocating for it and using it to better the lives of their patients, the dental community and each other proved to be evidence of that. I became a better student, I am a better clinician and person for attending National meetings.
I can confidently say that my role as a clinician, educator, entrepreneur and learner was propelled by my first attendance to ADHA Annual Conference and has been continually enriched and molded by continual opportunities to travel to many places at once through other national conferences. When we come together and share from our varied backgrounds and experiences, our tunnel vision is removed and we leave inspired to be valuable and valued as Dental Hygienists.
Hearing Protection for Dental Hygienists
Our profession is all about prevention of oral disease right. So are we considering prevention for issues we may be developing while at work like musculoskeletal disorders and HEARING loss.
The American Dental Association (ADA) states: Although the 90-99 decibel level of noise that is produced from some pieces of dental equipment may pose a relatively minimal risk to hearing, the daily exposure to that level, over years, may contribute to damage to the hair cells in the cochlea. In general, exposure for eight hours or longer to noise levels between 85-90 decibels is harmful.
To prevent hearing loss the ADA recommends: When using dental equipment, wear ear plugs or noise-canceling (over-the- ear) headphones. (CHECK OUT THESE FROM ZOUND)
In selecting dental equipment, consider its noise level as a factor in your purchasing decision
Have your hearing tested to establish a baseline of the status
Monitor your hearing acuity on a regular basis to have any problems correctly diagnosed and to benefit from early intervention
Source: https://www.ada.org/resources/practice/health-and-wellness/safety-tips-to-prevent-hearing-loss
Thanks to Zound for sending me earplugs to try
Here’s is what I found:
-They fit in your ears like regular earplugs
-They help to reduce noise, but you can still hear through them
-If a patient was soft spoken they were harder to hear
-At first I talked a bit louder with them in and had to adjust
-They clean easy with water
-I would say I am “sound sensitive” so I feel like having reduced noises in the office helped me to have a smoother day.
-If you are very serious about hearing protection (like if you use the ultrasonic all day for 40 hours per week) Consider chatting with your audiologist for possible creation of custom hearing protection.
Also, let’s play a game; can you NAME THAT DENTAL SOUND?
Nitrous Oxide Administration
Once I was assisting on a patient using nitrous who started to barf mid procedure. I quickly grabbed the garbage and placed it right between my legs, tore off the nitrous nose and rolled the patient over from the dental chair to finish barfing into the can.
One of the signs of nitrous overdose is vomiting which was a likely cause in this case. It is important to know how to set up, administer and monitor nitrous oxide for our patients. Have a team meeting about it and check out our video all the set up and titration of nitrous oxide.
If you need a little nitrous oxide calculation quick reference guide we have one for you in the shop. https://www.hygieneedge.com/shop/nitrous-oxide-percent-calculations-quick-reference-guide
Helpful Probing Help with Kilgore International
We all know that with probing, it was one of the first skills we learned in school. However, because of that, we tend to rush through it to get to the more exciting part of the appointment, the satisfying removal of subgingival black calculus rushing out the periodontal pocket. However, an accurate assessment of the periodontal health is critical to make sure we’re properly removing that sub black calculus, and having great baselines for when the patients comes back to see you.
Enter in the 500 PRO Calibration and Probing Model. This is a perfect model to not only learn on, but refresh your probing skills. We loved working with this model in our latest video.
So, hows your probing going?
A big thank you to Kilgore for supporting us at Hygiene Edge, and understanding the importance of great education and solid building blocks when you’re learning! To learn more, check out their website: https://kilgoreinternational.com/
What a Laser can do for Dental Hygiene with Biolase
We’ve heard of lasers before and know a bit about them, but did you know how much they can actually do for your patient population? They aren’t just used for periodontal therapy, but can be used for any of your patients you see in the office. With more and more professionals using a laser every single day, it’s definitely time to learn a bit more about them, see how they can help your practice, and make your life a little easier in your op. Check out this latest video to see what the Biolase Epic Hygiene Diode laser can do!
Thank you to Biolase for supporting us at Hygiene Edge! We love this laser, and using a laser for patients. To learn more about the Biolase Epic Hygiene, check out their website and request a demo or a training.
Dental Hygienist Spotlight: Katie Bayle, RDH
We love clinical practice. We need great RDHs working in the op, seeing patients, helping them with their oral health, and educating to improve their overall health. But, seeing dental hygienists break out into something else definitely warms our heart. Katie is a clinical dental hygienist that saw a need in her community and has now started her own professional whitening business. Interested in starting your own? Katie has some great advice and can definitely help you in your journey.
How long have you been an RDH?
I have been an registered dental hygienist for 4 years, with 8 years prior dental assisting experience. I knew this was my future when I idolized the cool, older neighborhood girl who was an ortho dental assistant!
What kind of practice do you work in?
I am practicing two days a week in an amazing family practice, where I get to work with my best friend as my colleague. I knew if we could survive dental hygiene school together, working would be a breeze! More importantly, I am running Salt City Whitening on Saturdays and basically working on it every day that I have off.
What inspired you to start your business?
After 12 years a dentistry, I had hit a wall. I felt I grew all that I could in a clinical hygiene setting and had a desire for something more. After seeing marketing for teeth whitening on social media, I started to notice that majority of people providing it are licensed esthetician’s, nail technicians, etc. None of these people (bless them) had dental knowledge. I thought, why aren’t there more people like me in this whitening world? I have a college education in something DIRECTLY related to teeth whitening... What was stopping me from being a trusted source that people could turn to for their teeth whitening needs? So, I saved my money up, and started my business. Now I get to have an adorable work suite, a positive space, and clients that I love!
What’s your favorite part of being a dental hygienist?
I love that I have a career that can help fuel my creativity and passions outside of the op. I strongly believe that in my years of working closely with patients, it opened my eyes to how much people struggle with self confidence. I, myself, spent a long time working and learning to accept myself as I am, flaws and all. I really want to help people find that within themselves as well. Providing teeth whitening is the foundation of that, and could easily be the foundation of something that you’re passionate about as well!
So, my favorite thing about being a dental hygienist? The birth of Salt City Whitening! Fast forward to today, and I am providing a service that I’m knowledgeable in, have a platform to promote body positivity, and it’s all my own.
Any advice for someone wanting to start their own whitening business?
GO. FOR. IT. This is something you are well educated on, can make a difference in someone’s confidence, and you can pour your heart and soul into. Ask yourself, what is holding you back from something that you could be so great at?
Thank you Katie for letting us chat with you about your new venture! To see her business and find out what she’s up to, make sure you follow Salt City Whitening on Instagram at @saltcitywhitening.
13 Things You Should Do In a Working Interview To Get The Job
13 tips to nail your working interview
1. Call patients by last names with a smile
THE FRONT DESK IS WATCHING FOR PROFESSIONALISM
2. Offer to numb patients
YOU’VE GOT THE SKILLS
3. If downtime, let them see you cleaning the floors and baseboards
SHOW YOU’RE A TEAM PLAYER
4. Explain everything you are doing on the patient
THE OFFICE IS LISTENING TO ALL THE THINGS YOU SAY TO THE PATIENTS SO LET THEM KNOW YOU PROVIDE A HIGH STANDARD OF CARE
5. Ask patients to give you a review
AT THE END IF YOU’VE CONNECTED WITH THEM ASK THEM TO LEAVE A REVIEW WITH THE FRONT DESK
6. Make sure the mand. anterior linguals are spotless
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH, CAN YOU DO THE MOST BASIC AREAS WELL
7. Complement the dentist
THE DENTIST IS LISTENING, FIND A RESTORATION THAT WAS DONE LAST TIME ON A PATIENT AND TELL THEM HOW GOOD IT LOOKS
8. Set out gloves and set mirror/explorer aside
SHOWS YOU ARE TIME SAVVY
9. Find to clean or offer to clean an assistants room
THE ASSISTANT HAS A SAY TOO, MAKE FRIENDS
10. Schedule recall (6 months and 1 day)
SHOWS YOU CARE ABOUT THE SCHEDULE
11. Stay on time
TOP 2 IMPORTANT OF THIS WHOLE LIST
12. Take a note card to write down names and processes
YOU DON’T WANT TO HAVE TO ASK OVER AND OVER
13. Know how to take and retake a radiograph
MAKE SURE THOSE RADS ARE PERFECT EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO RE- TAKE IT
CHECK OUT OUR LATEST VIDEO BELOW WHERE SHELLEY DISCUSSES THESE 13 TIPS TO NAIL YOUR WORKING INTERVIEW.
First Day of Hygiene 101
Congratulations to the class of 2022! You made it through 2+ years of dental hygiene school, finding all your own patients, multiple board exams, and all through a world wide pandemic at the same time! Looking back, can you believe it?
Now that you’ve finished that huge obstacle of dental hygiene school, you can jump right into working in a practice! YAY! Sometimes that first day of work can be a bit daunting. Going from school, having lots of help, supervision and time, to being on your own can be a bit overwhelming. But you can definitely do it! So many new grads have done it (we did back in the day!) and you can too. We’ve compiled a few things we’ve gathered over the years to help make that first day of working a bit easier.
Small notebook and pen. This is so handy to have to write a few little notes on. If the office has a different software than you’re used to and explains how to open a chart, take a retake, etc, write it down! In the middle of the day, you may need that reminder. It’s also nice to not be taking these notes on your phone, so you don’t have to pull out your phone in front of the patient or a staff member. Also jot down names of people in the office, any specifics you’d like to remember, how to take a pano, or notes about patients they mention.
Snacks or a lunch. It’s tempting to plan on leaving during lunch to take a little break to decompress. However, it’s hard to know how much time you may even get for a lunch! It’s the worst to be working a full time, have a very short break in the middle of the day, and end up being starving. Have some snacks on hand to get you through the day, just in case you end up being behind and seeing patients during lunch, if you have notes to catch up on during that time, or lunch ends up being shorter than you originally planned.
Fully charged loupes light. That may seem obvious, but check your battery the night before. It’s always so hard to be working in a new space, and then end up losing your light in the middle of the day. Some newer offices don’t even put overhead lights in anymore since everyone wears headlamps. You could even ask before going in for the day to see if they do or do not have them to know what to plan for.
Thank you note. If you end up loving the office that you’re working at for the day, leave a thank you note and maybe even a treat at the end of the day, letting them know how much you appreciate them taking the time to let you come spend a day at the office. You could include your business card or contact information in the note as well so they can easily get a hold of you to give you the job!
Any little thing that you love to work with. Obsessed with your own slow speed handpiece from school? Bring it. Like those prophy cup holders and have a few? Bring them along. It’s always nice to have something comfortable with you to make your day go a bit smoother. Just make sure you grab them at the end of the day. If you use it on your last patient, I’ve honestly wiped and bagged them, brought them home unsterilized, then sterilized them at either the next office I worked for at the beginning of the day, or went back to the university I went to school to quickly have them done. I have forgotten and lost instruments along the way, so keeping an eye on this precious items is important.
Welcome to such a great profession and we are so proud of you! Congratulations on making it through your schooling, and into a practice to start changing your patients oral and overall health. You can definitely make it through your first day of work and we’re excited for you!
Instruct Conference
Tonight’s the night! We’re so excited to be part of the 1st ever Instruct Conference with Educators Platform. Jessica is the MC for both evenings, Shelley is speaking tomorrow night, and Melia helped with the behind the scenes to make the conference tick! Are you coming?
We want to say thank you to our amazing sponsors that are helping make this conference happen!
Simple Safety Tips with Zirc Dental
How are you holding on after 2 years of all the things?
If these last two years have taught us anything, it is that staying safe and keeping ourselves safe as practitioners is such an important part of our career. If we want to continue to work in a safe environment and with a happy body, we need to take charge of that responsibility.
Our patients want the same thing. They want to come to a safe space, where they can be medically treated in a safe environment without worrying about themselves or the provider that’s treating them. They’re a mix of anxious and excited to be back to their regular routines like coming for their 6 month recall exams. How can we help ease their fears and ours being in the dental office?
Enter in Zirc Dental. Lucky for us as dental hygienists, Zirc has created so many amazing products that can help us stay safe. Small changes, like using a cassette or using overgloves, can make a big difference in how we practice and how we can keep ourselves safe and free from things like instrument sticks. This latest video is full of helpful and easy tips you can do tomorrow to help keep everyone safe.
To learn more about Zirc and how their products can easily fit into your practice, as well as make it more safe and effective, check out their website or contact Brittany at brittany@zirc.com.