Michelle Strange, RDH, BHS, MSDH
Michelle Strange, RDH, BHS, MSDH, has been a clinician in dentistry since 2000. She currently, is a practicing hygienist, surgical assistant, volunteer, educator in a dental hygiene program, lead clinical educator for TePe Oral Health Care, Inc., and podcast co-host for “A Tale of Two Hygienists.”
Michelle is a self-proclaimed dental nerd and sees the dental profession as not only her forever career path but her hobby. With a Master’s in Dental Hygiene Education and a belief in lifelong learning, Michelle hopes to continue to learn and grow within the dental profession and one day see the gap bridged between medical and dental. Her experience as a hygienist began in an implant driven office where she gained much experience with the placement and maintenance of dental implants.
Dentistry’s Aerosols: Giving the Dangerous Bugs the Attention they Deserve
Dental professionals must be aware of the potential risks involved within the dental clinic, educate themselves to prevent contamination, and protect all persons within their environment. The production of aerosols and splatter in dentistry is one of the biggest concerns about the spread of infection among both dental professionals and their patients.
With over 700 species of bacteria,1 the mouth...
Dental Patient Mentoring: Why Shaming Your Patients Doesn’t Work
Tooth brushing, eating habits, and overall health-enhancing behaviors are formed early in life. In childhood, parents and the extended family or community teach and coach body health techniques while consciously or subconsciously passing on what they themselves have learned.
Adults, for example, might be aware of the negative effects of fast food, but they still intuitively pull over at a...
Getting Out of the Op: Advice is Everywhere, but Beware
Googling “dental hygiene burnout” will give you articles, blogs, and videos, all with great ideas and information on how to beat it. This isn’t a new concern in the field of dentistry, especially within dental hygiene. If you are a person who has experienced burnout, doesn’t want to settle for the status quo, or knows their skills can be...
Hygienist Confession: Yeah, I Leave Stain. Here’s Why.
I am a “self-proclaimed” perfectionist. I need to know I am doing the best job I can while striving to do it better. Sound familiar? A little like most hygienists you know?
If you had asked me ten years ago that I would knowingly leave stain on people’s teeth, I would have laughed. Knowing this may have caused me to...
The Evolution of Biofilm Management: My Experience with Erythritol and Glycine Air Powder
In June, I had the opportunity to attend the EuroPerio9 workshop held in Amsterdam. While attending, I took courses from researchers and also sponsored courses on new products. During my travels, I saw a lengthy discussion on Facebook regarding selective polishing. Everyone had their own opinion, as they always do, and I couldn’t help but think, “Can we stop...
5 Things to Consider Before Recommending a Toothbrush to Patients
How much thought do you put into your patients’ home care products? I think most hygienists do put effort into recommending products. Maybe it is because they have seen those products work for patients in the past. However, some are very limited in their recommendations because the practice will only purchase certain products; usually, less expensive products that are...