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Rebecca Marie Friend, BS, RDH

Rebecca Marie Friend, BS, RDH
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Rebecca Marie Friend, RDH, BS, attained her Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene from Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan, in 1987, where she also met and married her husband. She has been a practicing dental hygienist for over 30 years and has raised three sons while working as a full-time clinical dental hygienist. Rebecca currently practices in Battle Creek, Michigan. She resides in neighboring historic Marshall, Michigan. Rebecca is board certified in Nitrous Oxide and Local Anesthesia Administration and is certified in low-level laser therapy. Continuously striving to improve upon her skills and methods of forward-thinking in the dental world, she recently attained her Bachelor of Science degree in Oral Health Promotion through Action Research at O’Hehir University. She is actively involved in a mentorship with students at O’Hehir University. “I take pride in my abilities as a skilled periodontal therapist. I enjoy the patient-practitioner relationship that develops when trust and health are gained, taking mindful care of every individual that I connect with. The benefits of helping others achieve a healthy mouth and regain their confidence with a great smile and healthier self are very rewarding. Whole-body health begins with the mouth.” In her free time, Rebecca enjoys visiting the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, where the sunsets are magical, the dunes are stunning, and the rocks are a collector’s delight. She loves to immerse herself in nature whenever she gets a chance and enjoys canoeing, kayaking, nature walks, flexibility training, yoga, and little “get-a-ways” with her husband. Family life has always been important to her, and now that her three grown sons have spread their wings, she has a little more time to spread hers.

Laser-assisted Hygiene Therapy: Integrating Laser Therapy for Dental Patients

March 2020 has forever changed our world as well as the way we treat patients in the dental setting. Adhering to strict Center for...

6 Things You Need to Know About Dental Sealants

Today’s society, especially in the U.S., is inundated with sugary liquids posing as healthy or energizing drinks. Many parents pack their children’s lunch boxes...

Eagle Syndrome: How RDHs Can Distinguish it from TMD

Eagle syndrome is a rare condition where the styloid process becomes elongated or the stylohyoid ligaments become calcified. When the process elongates, it can...

Online Dental Reviews: How to Turn a Negative into a Positive

In today’s online society, digital media has repeatedly demonstrated its power to influence, and dental professionals have been the recipients of the dreaded and...

Ergonomics: If I’d Only Known

Ergonomics Noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction er·go·nom·ics   ˌər-gə-ˈnä-miks  An applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people...

Zinc: A Closer Look, Including Some Dental Benefits

You may have noticed lately that the shelves in the local pharmacies and retailers have been depleted of zinc supplements. News got out like...

Post Coronavirus: The Alpha and Omega of a Successful Dental Hygiene Appointment

Editor's Note: Information about COVID-19 is changing on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis. We have made every attempt to ensure this article is up-to-date...

Smart Workday Stretches That Promote Longevity for Dental Hygienists (Videos Included)

Throughout my 30-year career as a clinical dental hygienist, I have had several physical therapy sessions for hand, shoulder, neck, and lower back chronic...

Be an “Eagle-Eye” – The Importance of Hygienist, Doctor, and Patient Co-diagnosing

My employer often calls me “Eagle Eye” because he knows and appreciates my skills as a hygienist. Having a heightened sense of the oral...

Type 3c Diabetes: Newly Discovered, Misunderstood, and Misdiagnosed

I am always surprised and intrigued to discover new information through my patients. Recently, a patient (male, late 40s) proudly showed me his smartphone...

Code Red: What Dental Codes to Use in Different Situations

Sometimes it feels like we need a code red to determine which code best suits our patient’s particular dental condition. I am sure we...

A Sharper Edge: Banishing Dull Instruments From Dental Hygiene Operatory

The clock is ticking along rather quickly in the dental operatory when your next patient arrives before you have even scheduled your current patient’s...

The Pinhole Technique: What Hygienists Need to Know

Gingival recession is a common malady we see to some degree on nearly every patient that comes through the dental office. Perhaps recession is...

45 Dental Hacks for an Efficient Day!

Whether it be in the clinical setting, or at home, we all need to streamline our resources to help us work smarter, not harder....

The Dental Hygiene Revolution: Reflect, Research, Take Action vs. Deflect, Accept, Do Nothing

We reflect, research, and take action on a daily basis in our clinical dental hygiene operatories. Sometimes the opposite is true of us as...

The Hidden Dangers of Diet Colas

As a whole, we are a health-conscious society. Exercise and diet play a major role in our attempt to become and remain healthy. Diet...

To Upsell or Not, That is The Question

I have been a practicing Registered Dental Hygienist since 1987.  I cannot believe the math, but yes, 31 years! I have witnessed a lot...

How to Connect with Patients and Get Results

Oral health promotion plays a primary part in our role as Registered Dental Hygienists. We are in fact, Oral Health Practitioners. How often though,...

Why One Hygienist Decided to Dust Off Her Laser for Periodontal Maintenance Care

Laser. The word sounds scary if it isn’t understood. A laser produces a narrow and intense beam of light energy which can be used...