Spring Hatfield, RDH, BSPH
Spring Hayes Hatfield, RDH, BSPH, is a graduate of Florida State College at Jacksonville, and she holds licensure in Florida, Louisiana, and Alabama. Spring is on the Advisory Board and holds the position of Continuing Education Manager at Today’s RDH. Her passion is elevating the dental hygiene profession through science, education, and clinical excellence. In her free time, she loves traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband, children, and the animals at her useless animal farm. She can be reached via email at Spring@TodaysRDH.com
Dental Radiology: New Recommendations for Patient Lead Shielding
Radiographs are an important aspect of providing comprehensive patient care in dentistry. Though many patients balk at the idea of getting radiographs, it’s imperative to acquire them in order to diagnose diseases such as periodontal disease, dental caries, abscesses, and certain lesions of the jaw.
One could argue radiographs are one of the most important diagnostic tools we use in...
Curiosity Killed the Plaque Ep. 13: The Concept of ALARA
In this episode of Curiosity Killed the Plaque, Spring Hatfield, RDH, BSPH, discusses the concept of ALARA.
Give it a watch, and make sure to subscribe to the Today’s RDH Dental Hygiene podcast on your favorite podcasting app or by going to https://anchor.fm/todaysrdh.
QUIZ: Test Your Oral-Systemic Link Knowledge
Are you in need of CE credits? If so, check out our peer-reviewed, self-study CE courses here.
Before you leave, check out the Today's RDH self-study CE courses. All courses are peer-reviewed and non-sponsored to focus solely on high-quality education. Click here now.
6 Case Studies Looking at the Oral Manifestations of Long COVID
Editor’s Note: As new research emerges, information about COVID-19 can change. We have made every attempt to ensure this article is up to date at the time of its original publication (August 28, 2023). However, knowledge about COVID-19 is constantly evolving.
We are finally on the other side of the pandemic, and though COVID-19 isn’t gone, we have prevention...
What the Research Shows Regarding the Efficacy of Dental Whitening Options
Almost every patient visiting a dental hygienist wants whiter teeth. I wish I had a dollar for every chief complaint that I described as “wants whiter teeth.” So many whitening options are available ‒ gels, strips, toothpaste, mouth rinses, and, of course, in-office treatments.
How do dental hygienists decide the best recommendation for patients seeking a whiter and brighter smile?
Whitening...
Curiosity Killed the Plaque Ep. 12: The Rights of Dental Hygienists as Employees
In this episode of Curiosity Killed the Plaque, Spring Hatfield, RDH, BSPH, discusses the rights dental hygienists have as employees.
Give it a watch, and make sure to subscribe to the Today’s RDH Dental Hygiene podcast on your favorite podcasting app or by going to https://anchor.fm/todaysrdh.
Curiosity Killed the Plaque Ep. 11: Traumatic Occlusion in Multiple Oral Conditions
In this episode of Curiosity Killed the Plaque, Spring Hatfield, RDH, BSPH, discusses the role of traumatic occlusion in multiple oral conditions.
Give it a watch, and make sure to subscribe to the Today’s RDH Dental Hygiene podcast on your favorite podcasting app or by going to https://anchor.fm/todaysrdh.
Unveiling the Oral Connection: High Blood Pressure, Foam Cells, and Periodontal Disease
Patients often inquire about why I take vital signs at their dental appointments. I respond that the mouth is connected to the rest of the body and every type of health care provider should take vital signs at every visit.
Though both statements are true, it doesn't really give the dental patient the real answer. As it relates to oral...
Can the APOE4 Gene Connect the Dots Between Cardiovascular and Periodontal Disease?
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), no gene has been identified that has a large impact on periodontal disease.1 Nonetheless, we see this disease affects families, which would indicate there is some level of genetic factor associated with disease onset and progression. The ADA clearly states environmental influences are the biggest association with periodontal disease, and the connection...
Articaine vs. Lidocaine: A Comparison of Local Anesthetics
Disclosure: This article is sponsored content from Septodont as part of our sponsored partner program.
Pain management is arguably one of the most important aspects of patient care. Poor pain management can lead to dental fear and anxiety that could ultimately delay treatment, increase costs, and require more invasive treatments. First introduced in the 1900s, local anesthetic is the most used,...
How to Make Effective Oral Health Recommendations to Dental Patients
Disclosure: This article is sponsored content from LISTERINE® as part of our sponsored partner program.
As dental hygienists, our primary role is as disease prevention specialists. This means we must have tough conversations with patients about their oral health status, but we get to follow up with recommendations to help the patient. Educating on oral hygiene techniques and products is...
Diabetes Mellitus: Oral Health Complications and Dental Treatment Considerations
In 2021, the International Diabetes Federation estimated that 537 million people are living with diabetes, and another 541 million people have impaired glucose tolerance.1 The pathophysiology of the disease is a malfunction of the feedback loops between insulin action and insulin secretion.2
Staying abreast of the oral-systemic link associated with diabetes mellitus can be overwhelming. In this article, I hope...
5 Reasons Dental Patients May Suffer from Halitosis
Halitosis is a concern for many dental patients. As a matter of fact, about 50% of the U.S. population suffers from halitosis. Halitosis can be put into two different categories − genuine halitosis or delusional halitosis.1
This article explores some causes of extraoral halitosis. But, first, a refresher on how halitosis is usually categorized is offered.
Delusional halitosis is further categorized...
Curiosity Killed the Plaque Ep. 10: What We Know About Black Line Stain
In this episode of Curiosity Killed the Plaque, Spring Hatfield, RDH, BSPH, discusses all things black line stain.
Give it a watch, and make sure to subscribe to the Today’s RDH Dental Hygiene podcast on your favorite podcasting app or by going to https://anchor.fm/todaysrdh.
Ludwig’s Angina: A Life-threatening Emergency Requiring Immediate Dental Treatment
Historical medicine and dentistry are fascinating. It gives a starting point that can be traced to current treatment modalities and prevention, as well as a basis for a better understanding of systemic and complex diseases.
The "discovery" made by Wilhelm Fredrick von Ludwig is one of great importance. During his lifetime (1790-1865), many people died from what he described as...
Don’t Let ALARA Discourage You from Obtaining Necessary Radiographic Images
ALARA is an acronym that stands for "as low as reasonably achievable." It is the concept health care professionals use to reduce radiation exposure to patients and themselves. However, this concept is often misunderstood. This concept is meant to be used to determine risk versus benefit and not to guide health care professionals away from utilizing radiation to manage...
Curiosity Killed the Plaque Ep. 9: Ethics of Using Live Patients for Clinical Dental Boards
In this episode of Curiosity Killed the Plaque, Spring Hatfield, RDH, BSPH, discusses the ethics of using live patients for clinical dental boards.
Give it a watch, and make sure to subscribe to the Today’s RDH Dental Hygiene podcast on your favorite podcasting app or by going to https://anchor.fm/todaysrdh.
An Open Letter to Patients about Your Dental Insurance
Dear patients with dental insurance,
There is no easy way to say this. So I'll just be straight with you. Your insurance company is not in the business of improving or maintaining your oral health. They are in the business of making money. Though there is a running joke about how much dental care costs and how dentists are making...
QUIZ: Test Your Historical Women in Dentistry Knowledge
Are you in need of CE credits? If so, check out our peer-reviewed, self-study CE courses here.
Now Check Out the Self-Study, Peer-Reviewed CE Courses from Today's RDH!
Listen to the Today's RDH Dental Hygiene Podcast Below:
We Don’t Need a Dental Hygiene Union: Know Your Rights as Employees
A statement I've heard from multiple hygienists across the country is that dental hygienists need a union. Unfortunately, that is unlikely to happen for multiple reasons, the biggest being that dentists regulate the dental hygiene profession. It is to their benefit not to allow us to create a union.
The idea of a dental hygiene union is a pipe dream....