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.
Reducing Tooth Sensitivity and Bacteria with CHX-containing Varnish, Cervitec Plus
Disclosure: This article is sponsored by Ivoclar Vivadent as part of our sponsored partner program.
When hygienists hear the word chlorhexidine, many may automatically think of...
5 Mouth Myths Debunked
There are many misconceptions regarding oral hygiene and the mouth that some of our patients believe to be true. With a large amount of...
How Clean Are the Waterlines in Your Operatory?
Patients come to your dental office because they are looking to improve or maintain their health. Unfortunately, news stories too often emphasize the opposite...
Ask Kara RDH: What would you do if you’re being questioned on probing depths?
My Director of Operations had her friend come in for a cleaning last week. She had not been to the dentist for ten years...
Ask Kara RDH: Good Job Offer, but 45 Minute Appointments
I was recently offered a job with more pay and good benefits. However, the appointments are only 45 minutes, except for SRP. Also, the...
Ask Kara RDH: Is Burnout in Clinical Hygiene Normal?
I have been doing clinical hygiene 3-4 days per week for over a year now and I’m already feeling burnt out. I work at...
What Hygienists Need to Know About Saliva, Xylitol, and Xerostomia
Article sponsored by OraCoat.
Unless a person suffers from xerostomia (dry mouth), most people don’t give a second thought to saliva. That is until they...
Ask Kara RDH: Patient Refusal Forms
The new office I work for has refusal forms for everything: X-rays, perio chart, SRP, etc. To me, this is supervised neglect for over...
Ask Kara RDH: What should I do about doctor cutting my pay?
I’ve been a hygienist at my current office for two years now. When the doctor hired me, he told me he would pay me...
UPDATE: Washington State HB 1935 Dies in Committee!
Great news came out of Olympia, Washington, on February 22, 2019. The House Bill that was proposed on Wednesday, February 6, 2019, that would...
Ask Kara RDH: Office Doesn’t Feel Like a Good Fit
I recently moved and started working at an office last week. After taking the position, I realized that it is very unorganized and patient...
Ask Kara RDH: Asking for a Raise
I work for one doctor at 2 of his offices. They are each in 2 completely different areas and therefore have two different average...
Dentinal Hypersensitivity Relief: A Review of Tokuyama’s Shield Force Plus
Disclosure: We value transparency at Today’s RDH. This review is sponsored content from Tokuyama Dental America, Inc. as part of our sponsored partner program.
Your patient presents...
Hygienists Under Attack! Oppose Washington State HB 1935 & SB 5833
On Wednesday, February 6th, 2019 the Washington State Legislature proposed bills in both the House and Senate that will allow dental assistants to perform...
4 Things to Consider When Recommending a Toothbrush
As dental hygienists, we all know we should be individualizing our home care recommendations. Whether it be a toothbrush, interdental cleaner, or other home...
5 More Infection Control Mistakes You Might Not Realize You’re Making
Infection control has always been a top priority for dental hygienists. After all, it is vital to create a safe treatment environment for patients...
Ask Kara RDH: PSA Block Injection Complication
I recently administered a right PSA block on a patient. Seconds after, my patient expressed that it hurt more than when I had numbed...
6 Things Hygienists Wish Their Doctor/Boss Knew
As dental hygienists, we respect the doctor we work for. After all, it is their practice, their business, and we work either under direct...
Ask Kara RDH: New Hygienist Doing Inferior Work
I have 33 years experience and have worked in my current office for 13 years. I take pride in my care of my patients....
Ask Kara RDH: Patients Complain I Talk too Much
When I am uncomfortable, running late, stressed out, fill-in the blank—–, I talk too loud and tend to talk too much. This “she talks...