Heidi Cruz, RDH, BSDH
Heidi Cruz, RDH, BSDH, is an expanded duties hygienist at Yakima Valley Farmworkers Clinic in Yakima, Washington. She previously worked as a dental assistant and dental financial manager in private practice before attending dental hygiene school at Yakima Valley College, where she discovered her passion for Community Health. She then completed her Bachelor's degree in dental hygiene at Oregon Technical Institute. When not working, Heidi takes full advantage of the beautiful state she lives in. She loves backpacking, skiing, gardening, and taking care of her goats.
How Children With Autism View the Dental Experience
Dental providers consistently strive to provide comfortable care to all patients. However, children on the autism spectrum may present a particular challenge in dental...
Newborns: How Hygienists Plant the Seeds of Oral Care Before Birth
Much emphasis has been given to prenatal oral care of patients, which is essential because 60% to 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis, and...
Community Health Clinics: Discovering Joy in a Dental Hygiene Career
When I tell my dental hygienist friends that I work in a community health clinic, I get a variety of responses. Some ask if...
Patient Dexterity and OHI: How One Hygienist’s Perspective Changed Following Surgery
Dental hygienists are trained to help people with limited dexterity or the inability to use their hands normally, and they find efficient ways to...
The Impact of Music on Stress for Dental Patients
Dental hygienists witness firsthand the significant role that stress plays in the experiences of dental patients. Dealing with apprehension and anxiety among patients is...
Home Care: Helping the Dental Patient Develop Lasting Oral Health Habits
As rewarding as a dental hygiene career can be, there will always be challenges. One of the biggest frustrations in dental hygiene practice is...