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Kara Vavrosky, RDHEP

Kara Vavrosky, RDHEP
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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

dental hygienist 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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?...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...