Kara Vavrosky, RDHEP
Kara Vavrosky, RDHEP, is a co-founder and the chief content officer of Today’s RDH, an independent educational publishing company for dental hygienists, encompassing articles, a podcast, virtual continuing education events, and self-study continuing education. Today’s RDH was launched in 2018 after Kara built her social media presence with her largest following on her Facebook page, Dental Hygiene with Kara RDH, which was created in 2013.
An Oregon Institute of Technology graduate, Kara has a deep passion for spreading knowledge about the importance of oral health and its association with systemic health. Kara’s passion extends to helping other hygienists understand current protocols and evidence-based research – all with the goal of lifting dental hygienists and the dental hygiene profession.
Kara was recognized in 2020 as one of the Top 100 Women in Media for her entrepreneurship as a co-founder of Today’s RDH. In 2022, she was recognized by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association for their Standout Seven Award in the Entrepreneur category.
Kara lives in Vancouver, Washington, just outside Portland, Oregon, with her husband, Ben, and their four Chihuahuas. When she’s not working, Kara loves riding the Oregon Dunes on her quad, spoiling her Chihuahuas, and spending time with her close-knit family.
Tips I Wish I Knew in Dental Hygiene School
If I were to ask you to think back to dental hygiene school, some would remember the feelings of being overwhelmed, being stressed to the max, and the tears that were shed. Others might remember the friends they made and the happiness they felt when hard work turned into successfully earning that dental hygiene degree. When I think back,...
VIDEO: Dr. Edward Zuckerberg on P. Gingivalis, the Oral-Systemic Link, and Emerging Diagnostics
If you are even slightly interested in the oral-systemic link, don't miss this! I chatted with Dr. Zuckerberg (yes, Mark Zuckerberg’s dad is a dentist!) where he eloquently connected the dots of the oral-systemic link, and P. gingivalis' very specific role, in a way I had never heard it done before. This is one you don't want to miss!
Learn...
Comprehensive Health History: Are You Doing a Thorough Review?
As dental hygienists, we are all educated on the importance of obtaining a thorough health history on our patients. Oral health can affect overall health and vice versa. A thorough health history also allows us to minimize risks associated with treating our patients and can help prepare and possibly predict, for a medical emergency. However, with appointment times being...
Ask Kara RDH: How Can Hygienists Protect Themselves against Negative Online Reviews?
Question
Recently, or at least since COVID, there has been an uptake of "bad patients" that can ruin your reputation. I'm wondering if you could write an article about how dental hygienists can protect themselves from negative and unfounded reviews.
It's unfortunate that, as a hygienist, we are put in a bad position to navigate between oral health, patient education, offering...
Ask Kara RDH: Anxiety Giving Local Anesthetic
Please help me and tell me I am not alone… am I alone? I have been a hygienist for three years. However, my anxiety over giving injections has not gotten any better. I get shaky and feel like my fear is written all over my face. I am the only hygienist who is licensed to give injections in my...
Differences in Dental Implant Maintenance and Training in Germany and Israel
In the United States, the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) sets accreditation standards for dental education programs, including dental hygiene. Despite these standards, not all dental hygiene programs are exactly the same because not all dental hygiene program directors or instructors are exactly alike. The knowledge a dental hygiene professional (DHP) has regarding patient care protocols, treatment modalities, current...
VIDCAST: Learning to Unlearn – Practicing with Humility (Culturally Committed Interview)
Kara Vavrosky, RDHEP, had an eye-opening conversation with Kim Trottier, Dental Therapist and Founder of Culturally Committed. Kim discussed providing care to First Nations Peoples, how the impacts of trauma and intergenerational trauma have influenced how she provides care, and why she is passionate about pursuing a culturally safe practice. This deep and sensitive subject can be taken beyond...
VIDEO: The Research Behind the New Philips Sonicare Power Flosser
Disclosure: This video is sponsored content from Philips Oral Healthcare as part of our sponsored partner program.
Kara Vavrosky, RDHEP, sits down with Cindy Sensabaugh, RDH, MS, to discuss the research behind the new Philips Sonicare Power Flosser. Watch this video to discover the science behind the Power Flosser and the research conducted to prove efficacy.
To learn more about the Philips...
VIDEO: Introducing the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser
Disclosure: This video is sponsored content from Philips Oral Healthcare as part of our sponsored partner program.
Check out the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser, a new water flosser that offers patients a more thorough and effective way to remove plaque and food debris interdentally while helping improve and maintain gingival health.
To learn more about the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser, including research conducted on...
Ask Kara RDH: The first job out of hygiene school is so stressful I feel like a failure
Just some background info first. I applied to jobs every day for a week until I got a call from a dentist to set up an interview. The interview went ok, and I was asked for a working interview. The pay was going to be less than I had asked for but I understand being a new grad and...
Ask Kara RDH: Do I really need to sterilize slow-speed handpieces after every patient?
I read one of your articles regarding infection control. Do slow-speed handpieces really need to be sterilized after every patient when using disposable prophy angles? We are currently sterilizing at the end of each workday.
Yes, slow-speed handpieces must be heat-sterilized in between every patient. Even though you use disposable prophy angles, and slow-speed handpieces are considered semi-critical devices, the...
Ask Kara RDH: Soaking gauze in disinfectant?
Is it OK to soak gauze in disinfectant or does disinfectant break down gauze to where the disinfectant is left ineffective?
Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Organization for Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) don’t recommend pre-soaking gauze in disinfectant. Cotton fibers in gauze can absorb and actually inactivate ingredients in disinfectants leaving them less effective or...
VIDEO: Why Dental Temps Should Consider Investing in their Own Instruments
Disclosure: This video is sponsored content from Planmeca USA as part of our sponsored partner program.
Watch this video where I discuss why dental temps should consider investing in their own instruments. Learn more about LM Instruments at https://www.planmeca.com/lm-instruments/
Entrepreneur Hygienist Ingrid Adeogun Launches PANGA with Eco-Friendly Homecare Products
Learn more about Ingrid's eco-friendly, dental products company, PANGA, at https://www.wearepanga.com/
Has the amount of garbage, especially plastics, used in dentistry ever crossed your mind? Though one-time use items such as plastic barriers, air/water syringe tips, prophy angles, sterilization pouches, and everything in between are imperative for infection control and keeping our patients as safe as possible, dentistry certainly creates...
VIDEO: Safety of LM Sharp Diamond™ Instruments & When to Replace
Disclosure: This video is sponsored content from Planmeca USA as part of our sponsored partner program.
Watch this video where I discuss the safety of LM Sharp Diamond™ instruments, how they are designed to minimize strain for hygienists, and when it is time to replace them. Learn more about LM Instruments at https://www.planmeca.com/lm-instruments/
Ask Kara RDH: Holding X-ray Sensor While Exposing Radiographs
I work in a pediatric office, and the doctor won’t buy a size 0 sensor. Because of this, to “get the shot” we are having to hold the sensor while exposing radiographs multiple times per day because of our patients’ small mouths. How do you address exposure concerns with the doctor?
This is a tough one because guidelines for operator...
Fluoride Varnish vs. Foam: What Research Shows
A patient comes in and with a chief complaint of extremely sensitive teeth. It’s painful to drink a cold beverage or eat their favorite ice cream. They even struggle with the simple act of brushing their teeth. You know the answer to their problems and so does every dental hygienist across the nation: Fluoride. Whether you have patients that...
Ask Kara RDH: Frustration About Backordered HVE Equipment
Question
I’m super frustrated that in order to use the ultrasonic, polish, or even use the air/water syringe, I have to use an HVE to control aerosols. I’m mostly frustrated because the equipment to make using the HVE easier for me is on backorder. How do I even know if what is ordered will control aerosols? What should I do?
Kara...
Ask Kara RDH: Why Isn’t Today’s RDH Addressing New Infection Control Guidelines?
Why aren’t there any articles on Today’s RDH addressing new infection control guidelines for when hygienists return to work?
The short answer is because new infection control guidelines for post-pandemic hygiene don’t exist. (Please take note of the date this was published/posted)
Long answer: Right now, the CDC only has interim guidelines for infection control practices for seeing emergency patients. They...
Ask Kara RDH: How to address patients who are routinely late?
Is there a polite way to tell a patient to come on time? I get that things happen and are out of their control, but I have a few patients that are always 10-20 minutes late for all appointments. What’s the best way to address this?
The offices I’ve worked at that run smoothly, on-time, and with the least amount...