Kaitlyn Machado, RDH, BS, MEd, FADHA
Since a very young age, Kaitlyn Machado, RDH, BS, MEd, FADHA, has always wanted to be a dental hygienist. She was the youngest student to graduate from her dental hygiene class in 2017. Since then, Kate has returned for her bachelor's and master's degrees. She is a faculty member at her local dental hygiene school and a clinical dental hygienist. Kate has been a part of Today's RDH since its launch. She is extremely passionate about homecare, loves her prophy paste and fluoride varnish, and enjoys attending professional conferences. In addition, Kate loves to work with a local non-profit organization that helps fight against hygiene insecurity of all ages in her community. As a lifelong learner, she enjoys being as involved as possible in the dental hygiene profession. When Kate isn't working, she enjoys traveling, sports, watching movies, and spending time with her amazing, supportive family.
6 Ways to Instill Bravery: Caring for Patients with Dental Anxiety
Have you ever put a patient back in the chair, and they blurt out, "I really hate going to the dentist?" Well, it's a good thing that this hygienist is not a dentist, eh?
We all have our own forms of anxiety. If you have ever entered a dental office, which I assume you have, you are aware of dental...
Dental Compliance: Helping Patients Comply Using the Stages of Change Model
Many healthy behavior models and theories are available, but the Stages of Change Model, also known as the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), is one that clearly breaks down where a dental patient is in their readiness to change behavior.
Part of the Stages of Change model involves assessing someone (in this case, your dental patients). Individual awareness and decision making are...
Different Stages of Career: Meet Kim, The Gung-ho Seasoned RDH
In part three of our series, we move our way up the ranks to a hygienist who has many years of experience under her belt. Kimberlee Faria, RDH, is a Massachusetts native who has been practicing for 30 years. She graduated from dental hygiene school in 1990.
To view the previous articles in the Different Stages of Career series, click...
Different Stages of Career: Mid-career RDH Reflects on Challenges
Over the past three years of clinical experience, I have been introduced to many different dental professionals, especially hygienists. Everyone possesses their own opinions, perspectives, and experiences about the profession. My goal here is to have hygienists reflect on their dental hygiene career based on their experience − a new graduate, a hygienist with a few years under her...
On the Hunt for CEs: Finding the Best Continuing Education Courses for You
Wherever you practice any form of dental hygiene, you require some sort of licensure, certification, or permit. One thing that all states have in common is the requirement of having a specific total amount of continuing education credits (CEUs).
Some hygienists dread them, and others see it as a great opportunity to refresh themselves in topics or to dive into...
How I Went from Dental Hygiene Student to Educator
During dental hygiene school, I decided I wanted to eventually be a dental hygiene educator. I've previously written about the steps I took to get my bachelor's degree. I wasn't expecting that, as soon as I completed my bachelor's degree, I had a position at my dental hygiene school as adjunct faculty.
For those who know me, I am very...
Difficult Patients: Not an Endangered Species
You see them all the time, difficult patients. They are definitely not an endangered species. We all have those war stories. Throughout the hygiene program, and the few months I’ve been in practice, I’ve already had my fair share of difficult patients. Even though they can sometimes bring a negative atmosphere to the appointment, we still have time to...
The Art of Sampling: A Fresh Insider Perspective of Dental Products
Samples, samples, samples! Sampling products from PPE to home-care supplies are a great opportunity for patients and clinicians to try something new and test it out. You may switch over to a new product almost immediately, quickly admiring the results of using it. Testing out products gives you hands-on experiences and observation, allowing you to formulate your own opinion...
5 Tips for Treating Geriatric Patients
Have you heard "I'm too old for x-rays!" from a geriatric patient? Age is but a number, and it is not an excuse for below standard of care. Quality dental care is always a must, no matter the age.
First, who is categorized as a geriatric? On average, adults older than age 65 can be grouped in this category. According...
Networking: Dental Hygienists Should Make One Connection after Another
Networking can be intimidating, but it is necessary for your continued success. Networking is a form of communication in the professional world. Networking can occur inside and outside the dental profession.
As with many things in life, it’s who you know. I’ll use my father as an example. He is not in the dental profession, but he is a professional...
What’s Next? My Personal Experience towards a Bachelor’s Degree
So you’re a dental hygienist, huh? Yes, yes I am. I am more than that though. Personally, I have goals outside the clinical setting. (And that’s ok if you have no desire to leave the clinic setting too). I hope to one day be an educator or work for a dental company, or possibly be a midlevel dental therapist,...
Why I Decided to Become a Dental Hygienist
What did you want to be when you grew up? Throughout childhood, we were asked this question. I assume many of you changed your answer a few times. I love to hear other's stories, see the similarities, and even the differences, of our dental hygiene upbringing. I knew my answer at a very young age, and it never changed....
The Importance of Social Media & An Online Presence for Dental Offices
Having a presence on social media and an updated website is now more important than ever, including in dentistry. Many patients, especially younger generations, prefer getting their information online through Google searches and social media platforms. Many patients even prefer to confirm their dental appointments by text or email.
Facebook launched over a decade ago, with its original goal being...
3D’s: Do’s, Don’ts of Dental Hygiene Interviewing
New graduate? Looking to change your office? Whatever situation you’re in, it doesn’t matter because it all starts with a job interview. Eww, the dreaded interview!
Before I talk about key points in interviews, we have to start with how to get an interview. Nowadays, there are many ways to find a job: networking, asking people you know, job search...