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.
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...
New Research Shows the Majority of Antibiotics Prescribed by Dentists Are Unnecessary
Antibiotic resistance is a hot topic, and for a good reason. The World Health Organization (WHO) sees antibiotic resistance as a huge threat to public health. As antibiotics are used, bacteria changes to resist the antibiotics. The bacteria becomes harder to get rid of, and the antibiotics become less effective. This is a global, timeless phenomenon. Anytime and any way...
Q&A with Today’s RDH Editor, Mark Hartley
Today’s RDH: We don’t want to make any pointed reference to your age, but can we obtain a ballpark guess at how long you’ve been involved with the dental hygiene profession?
Hartley: Well, Dr. Fones passed on almost 50 years before I arrived on the scene. And, Irene Newman passed on almost 30 years before I arrived. Does that...
DNA Proves Causation, Not Just Correlation, to Oral Hygiene and Alzheimer’s
Oral health is a component of overall health. Previously, oral health and overall physical health were seen as separate. Dental hygiene was not often thought of as something that could make a person healthy or unhealthy. If anything, good dental hygiene has often been seen as cosmetic.
New studies have emerged that prove how important oral health is to overall health....
Test Your Pediatric Prescription Toothpaste Knowledge!
Disclosure: This quiz is sponsored content from DenMat as part of our sponsored partner program.
Success Rates of Non‐Surgical Periodontal Therapy in Adult Perio Patients
The International Journal of Dental Hygiene recently released an article, "Success of non‐surgical periodontal therapy in adult periodontitis patients‐a retrospective analysis," that studied adult patients who had undergone periodontal treatment.
About the Netherlands Study
The study that was published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene was led by G.A. Van der Weijden. Van der Weijden is a periodontist and works at the...
Young Appalachian Girls More Likely to Suffer From Hypodontia than Male Peers
Researchers at the West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia have recently discovered a gender disparity among young dental patients. According to their research, female children were more likely to have at least one tooth missing than their male peers. The study was recently published in the April 2019 edition of the Journal of Dental Hygiene under the title, "Hypodontia,...
Survey Assesses Dental Hygienists Knowledge and Practices Towards HPV
Scientists at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in Minneapolis, Minnesota recently examined how dental hygienists discuss the link between Human Papilloma Virus and vaccines with their patients. The study, "Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Human Papilloma Virus Communication and Vaccine Advocacy Among Minnesota Dentists and Dental Hygienists," was published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene.
About Human Papilloma Virus
An...
Research Shows Aloe Vera Mouthwash Can Reduce Gingival Inflammation
Aloe vera is known for its many health benefits. Recently, scientists decided to study whether it could also improve someone's oral health. The results of their research, titled "Efficacy of aloe vera mouthwash versus chlorhexidine on plaque and gingivitis: A systematic review" was published in the March issue of the International Journal of Dental Hygiene.
Aloe Vera Health Benefits
Aloe vera is a...
Test Your Locally Applied Antibiotics Knowledge!
Disclosure: This quiz is sponsored content from DenMat as part of our sponsored partner program.Let's test your locally applied antibiotics knowledge!
Study Investigates Oral Health Awareness and Pregnant Women
Studies have found there is a strong correlation between pregnancy outcomes and a pregnant woman's oral health. The topic of how well health professionals know of this correlation was explored in a recent study titled "Evaluating Oral Health in Pregnant Women: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Health Professionals" which was published in the February 2019 edition of the Journal of...
Research Compares Flossing Techniques for Patients with Type I Gingival Embrasures
The Journal of Dental Hygiene recently published a study titled "Efficacy, Safety and Patient Preference of Knotted Floss Technique in Type I Gingival Embrasures" in their February edition. The research examined the knotted floss technique compared to conventional floss technique in patients with type I gingival embrasures.
About Gingival Embrasures
A gingival embrasure is a medical term used to describe patients with an open...
Study Examines Home Care and Healing after Periodontal Surgery
Periodontal disease has been linked to a wide range of systemic diseases when left untreated. Researchers are working to prevent this by conducting several experiments to determine which home care aids dental professionals can recommend to help with healthier outcomes. An article, titled "Effect of two post‐surgical cleansing protocols on early periodontal wound healing and cytokine levels following osseous...