Chloe’ G., RDH, BSDH

On your first day at a new office, you are probably nervous, relieved, and hopeful − all in one. You are nervous about a new environment, relieved to be done with the job hunt (and to be paid!) and hopeful about the office situation and the future. Starting a new dental hygiene job can sometimes be like buying a new...

Standing in front of a room full of listeners can be intimidating, even when the listeners are only elementary-age schoolchildren. When thinking of a school oral health presentation for National Children’s Dental Health Month, it can be overwhelming to decide what to say or topics to cover. Thankfully, there are many resources available for dental hygienists to gather ideas....

As February begins, stores across the country are filled with all things pink, red, and chocolate. Large stuffed animals and cards line the aisles. For dental professionals, February has an equally important occasion to celebrate. Each year, February is recognized as National Children’s Dental Health Month. Sponsored by the American Dental Association, this month of oral health promotion first began...

There are two sides to every story except when it comes to online and social media dental practice reviews. As the consumer’s ability to review and speak out rises, you may have noticed a large increase in media for consumers to spread their opinions. The world of dentistry cannot go unaffected by this. At times, reviews can be a great...

I love the online dental hygiene community. I enjoy being a part of several forums and continuously find myself learning new information. In a field where many of us are the sole hygienist in an office, forums help to bring unity and ensure us that we are not alone in our struggles and triumphs. There are times, however, when a...

The dental hygiene profession is constantly bombarded by negatives, ranging from the risk of musculoskeletal disorders to the lack of respect from the general public. It is easy to come up with a list of negative aspects of a dental hygiene career. However, many hygienists find great satisfaction in the jobs that we do. With so many negatives surrounding our...

The dental hygiene appointment − the shortest and fullest hour. As technology has changed, dental hygiene appointments have changed with it. For the biannual recall patient, these changes may go unnoticed or may seem insignificant. For the dental hygienist, these changes cannot be overlooked. With each new procedure or device, the list of things a hygienist needs to accomplish...

We do a lot to ensure our patients are protected while in the dental office. From infection control, safe work practices, and HIPAA compliance, we work very hard to protect our patients. However, when it comes to our own safety, we may tend to compromise. While focusing on the importance of protection for patients, we often forget that our...

“That’s her!” the student exclaimed with excitement, “That’s who I see at my dentist.” As the student sat in my mother’s classroom, she recounted her experience at my dental office. Working just down the road from the elementary school where my mother works, it is a weekly occurrence for students to find her in the hall, flash a smile,...

In the early days of the dental hygiene profession, a large effort was expended on hygienists who worked in elementary schools. Hygienists distributed information on dental disease prevention throughout the public.2 Over time, the dental hygiene career has evolved and grown. With stricter laws and regulations concerning supervision, dental hygienist are now typically employed in general and specialized dental...

It is every dental hygienist’s nightmare: The notion that brushing your teeth isn’t effective or needed. We are the promoters of brushing, the lecturers, the connoisseurs of oral hygiene instruction. We spend our days stressing the importance of brushing twice a day for two minutes. We spend our nights reading about new toothpaste or marveling at the newest sonic...