Today's RDH
Today's RDH is for curious and passionate dental hygienists. We deliver the latest dental hygiene news, research, and entertainment on your phone, tablet, and computer.
Test Your Ergonomics Knowledge!
Disclosure: This quiz is sponsored content from Premier Dental as part of our sponsored partner program.Test your ergonomics knowledge with this quick quiz and then enter to win an AeroPro™ Cordless Prophy System from Premier Dental!
Research Shows Oral Piercings May Impact Dental Health
A recent study based in Switzerland, titled "On the association between oral piercings and periodontal conditions—A case series," sheds new light on how popular trends like oral piercings can affect someone's long term dental health. The research paper was published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene and closely examined whether oral piercings had a negative effect on the periodontal conditions...
Scientists Discover that Antibacterial Fillings Can Help Prevent Tooth Decay
Oral bacteria can have a negative impact on a patient's overall health. As a result, scientists are continuously trying to find new ways to stop oral bacteria from spreading to other parts of the body. A recent study suggests that dental restoratives and other filling materials can help fight tooth decay when antibacterial ingredients are added. An article published in the...
Research Shows Teeth Whitening Products May Harm Underlying Dentin
Teeth whitening is a billion-dollar industry. People from all over the globe routinely buy teeth whitening products with the hopes that it will remove stains and make their teeth appear brighter. Now there is new research that suggests teeth whitening products can potentially damage a patient's smile. The study, titled "Teeth whitening products can harm protein-rich tooth layer: Researchers...
Research Reveals Insights into Head and Neck Infections Caused by Tooth Abscesses
Over 90% of all head and neck infections develop from tooth abscesses. In rare cases, these infections may develop into potentially life-threatening sepsis. Other serious complications from odontogenic infections include obstructed airways, endocarditis, and tissue necrosis.
To understand the causes and progress of serious odontogenic infections, a German research team examined the characteristics that caused these infections to progress. The...
Study Concludes Poor Oral Health Increases the Risk of Liver Cancer
Patients have probably heard stories about the way poor oral health can lead to a variety of medical conditions, some of them serious. However, some patients may have doubts about the seriousness of the oral-systemic link.
In June of this year, the Mayo Clinic put many people's doubts to rest when it published "Oral Health: A Window to Your Overall Health." This analysis concluded...
A More Cautious Approach to Oral Pain Management In Young People
Recently, Governor Mike Parson of Missouri signed a new law that restricts the ability of dentists to prescribe opioids. Under the new law, dentists cannot prescribe more than the equivalent of 10 Vicodin pills per day, and can't write prescriptions for time-released opioids like OxyContin at all. The bill was crafted in cooperation with the Missouri Dental Association, who welcomed...
Research Shows Orthodontics Do Not Equal Happiness
Orthodontics make teeth straighter. It is often assumed that straight teeth will make patients more confident, and therefore more optimistic and happier. Researchers in Australia recently put that assumption to the test.
The Study Design
The study followed a cohort, or group, of adolescents in Australia. The children were chosen in the late 1980s when they were 13 years old. Over time,...
GC America Inc. Celebrates Grand Opening of New State-of-the-Art Facility
ALSIP, IL – Dignitaries and distinguished dental professionals from all over the United States came together on Friday, July 26, 2019 to celebrate the grand opening of GC America’s new home at 3737 W. 127th St. in Alsip, IL. The new building is now accommodating over 200 Associates and features a state-of-the-art education center, which consists of an all...
Study Examines How Much Dental Hygienists Know about Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The Journal of Dental Hygiene recently published a study titled "Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge: Attitudes and screening practices of Minnesota dental hygienists." The article, which was published in the journal's June edition, examined the current knowledge and attitudes among Minnesota dental hygienists on the subject of obstructive sleep apnea.
About Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical term used to describe patients...
Poor Dental Hygiene Linked to Gastrointestinal Cancers
Scientists have discovered a link between poor oral health and several gastrointestinal cancers. The study, which was published in the United European Gastroenterology Journal, provides strong evidence that lackluster dental health can significantly increase someone's chances of developing liver cancer and other serious illnesses in their lifetime.
About Liver Cancer
The liver is a necessary organ that helps eliminate bacteria from the...
New Research: Could Microbots Replace the Need for Scalers?
Researchers have found a new and exciting application for "magnetically driven" robots: to clean teeth. The Penn State scientists developed and examined two methods for using this technology to remove biofilm.
One was through a tray that a patient would put in their mouth. The tray would be 3D printed, allowing the microbots to get in between the teeth. A patient would...
Interview: A Hygienist’s Experience with Cetacaine Liquid Topical Anesthetic
Article sponsored by Cetylite. Cherie Wink, RDH was not a paid endorser for this article.
Cetacaine Liquid (Benzocaine 14%, Butamben 2%, Tetracaine HCl 2%), the prescription topical anesthetic from Cetylite, is frequently recommended as a pain control option for procedures such as scaling and root planing. Cetacaine can be placed into periodontal pockets to provide 30 to 60 minutes of...
Quip Launches QUIPCARE to Democratize Access to Professional Dental Services
The quipcare platform offers set, transparent pricing for dental care and allows consumers to book and pay for professional services directly from a curated network of providers all in one app — ensuring Americans with or without insurance can access the care they need for less.
NEW YORK, NY — July 9, 2019 - quip today announced the launch of...
Test Your Loupes & Ergonomic Knowledge
Disclosure: This quiz is sponsored content from DenMat as part of our sponsored partner program.
Charcoal Toothpaste: Deactivates Fluoride, Abrasive, and Some May Contain Carcinogens
Charcoal toothpastes are gaining popularity across the globe. From Southeast Asia to the West Coast of the United States, a growing number of patients are asking their dental hygienists about charcoal toothpaste. Responding to these inquiries is not always easy because savvy marketing tactics and social media bloggers promote charcoal toothpaste as a natural toothpaste alternative that can effectively...
Research Shows Dental Work Can Help People Recover from Drug Abuse
The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. There's a lot of research out there about how people become addicted and how to stop them from becoming users. There's also research on how to help addicts. Beating an addiction of any kind is incredibly difficult. A dental school in Utah has found a new, creative way to help people kick...