Anne O. Rice, RDH, BS
Resigning: How to Quit in a Small Dental Practice
We are in a new decade, in case you haven’t heard, which by the way, is debatable as some say the decade begins in...
How Dental Hygienists Can Help Patients with High Blood Pressure
Hypertension affects about half of the population worldwide, and poor oral health appears to worsen blood pressure and impedes hypertension treatment.1 High blood pressure...
Teatime for a Healthy Smile: The Oral Health Benefits of Green Tea
There must always be humor! Let’s get this par-tea started.
Some may think of pumpkin spice and football as we look forward to fall. Sweatshirts...
Glaucoma: Why Dentistry Should Not Overlook this Eye Condition
For as long as I can remember, my dad put drops in his eyes. When I got older, I felt comfortable asking him what...
Mastic Gum: Oral Health Benefits Deserve Consideration by Dental Professionals
Do you recommend to your patients to chew gum? Not the sugary kind like Juicy Fruit, but say gum with xylitol. Xylitol gum is...
The Power of Water: Brain Fuel for the Dental Hygienist
How many of us would revolt if, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we were told that we could not have coffee? At times, I have...
5 Snack Ideas for a Busy Day in the Dental Practice
Imagine that it is about 3 pm, and you have just finished a tough SRP. You walk your patient to the front, and she...
How Foliage Benefits Hygienists’ Health and Well-Being
I am very fortunate to live in an area where the climate seldom restricts me from outdoor activities. While the summer temperature in Houston...
A Sales Career: How Dental Hygienists Should Evaluate Possible Career Option
So many dental hygienists aspire to leave the operatory. The why doesn’t matter. It is just their time to transition out of clinical care....
Breaking Out of Jail and Other Unique Uses of Dental Floss
While I completely understand our developing knowledge about biofilm management, interproximal cleaning, and the enhancement of using water flossers, interdental brushes, and such, perhaps...
The Oral Health Connection to Chronic Kidney Disease
I took a selfie after my kidney removal surgery. Hashtag no filter. Okay, okay, no more dad jokes, I promise. Our kidneys are hard...
Natal Teeth: Brushing Up on Newborns with Teeth
Leave it to a TikTok member to share with the masses (2.7 million views) that babies can be born with teeth. The photo of...
‘Tis the Season: Mistletoe Offers a Rich History as Medicine
Mistletoe has been hanging in archways around the Christmas season for centuries. When I was a child in my hometown in Oklahoma, we would...
The Health Benefits of Hibiscus Tea Dental Professionals Should Know
My niece has worked at a well-known coffee shop for a long time. I remember that I would pick up my son from school...
Finding Acceptance In and Out of the Dental Operatory
I recently thoroughly enjoyed an in-person, two-day course in the dental world ‒ no other word to describe it, but marvelous. I called my...
The Vampire Hormone: What Dental Hygienists Need to Know
Don’t think this is another informative essay telling us women that our hormones will suck the life out of us. I’m speaking of melatonin....
Is License Portability Coming with the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact?
The inbox gets hit with a ton of opportunities for continuing education, new research studies, and the who’s who of the dental industry. A...
Let’s Not Sugarcoat It: Viewing Sweeteners from a Dental Perspective
The industrialized world loves its sugar, and no one disputes that. The usual suspects are cupcakes, candy, etc., but processed foods such as granola...
Sickle Cell Disease: How Dental Treatment of Patients is Influenced
The American Society of Hematology's publication, Blood Advances, covers hematology and related sciences, including lymphomas, leukemias, hemophilia, and a host of anemias. Unless you...
How to Prepare for Violence Occurring in the Dental Office
A few things will make us become paralyzed with shock and horror during our lives. One is the senseless loss of human life due...