Dental public health focuses on preventing and controlling oral diseases through organized community efforts. It includes “oral health education of the public, applied dental research, the administration of group dental care programs, and the prevention and control of oral diseases at the community level.”1 I asked Paula Morrison, RDH, BS, the same questions from my previous interview, What Other Hygienists Do: A Look at Care Behind Bars. Paula has been a dental hygienist for over 15 years. More specifically, Paula works in a school-based dental program. I wanted to dive in deeper and learn ho ..read more

What are some top phrases that make hygienists want to pick up their full tray of instruments and fling it straight at the wall? Or, get up and walk right out the door and not come back? “Will my insurance cover it?” “How much does my insurance cover?” “I only want what my insurance will cover.” What if you never had to hear the words dental insurance ever again? No more words like copay, deductible, or waiting period either. Just think about that for a minute. What would your clinical day look like? How would it affect your patient experience? How would it affect your own experience? As a hyg ..read more

While permanent molars typically appear at ages six, twelve, and eighteen in humans, chimpanzees attain them at a much earlier age: three, six, and twelve years old. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University investigated the late emergence of adult molars in humans compared to their closest relatives, chimpanzees.1 The evolutionary success story of humans is marked by their exceptional characteristics, such as high intelligence, strong social bonds, resourcefulness, and a capacity for learning and teaching. These attributes are intricately lin ..read more

In this hygiene chat, Dr. Emily Boge, EdD, RDH, CDA, and Kara Vavrosky, RDHEP, look back at the history of where the terminology used to describe hygiene appointments began, if we should refer to hygiene appointments as “cleanings,” and where the “6-month recall” interval came from. A big thank you to Dentsply Sirona for sponsoring this video series and their support of hygienists in general! Check out the extensive line of preventive products from Dentsply Sirona at https://www.dentsplysirona.com/en-us/discover/discover-by-category/preventive.html⁠ References for this Video 1. Fones, A.C. T ..read more

Researchers have been utilizing tree rings for years to determine a tree’s age and the environmental factors that influence the development of a tree. In school, you may possibly recall learning this information yourself. However, did you know human teeth also have “rings” similar to trees? Researchers are now concluding that these markings can be used to determine what types of stress a person may have endured and intervene by preemptively providing therapy to offset future physiological issues. A Quick Review on Tooth Structure, Development, and Eruption The human tooth is much like an ice c ..read more

A study conducted at the University at Buffalo has uncovered a potential association between the use of heartburn medication and a reduction in the severity of periodontal disease. The study focused on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a class of drugs commonly prescribed for conditions like heartburn, acid reflux, and ulcers.1 The researchers hypothesize that PPIs may influence bone metabolism, the gut microbiome, and periodontal microorganisms, potentially contributing to the reduction in periodontal disease severity.1 Evidence suggests that administering proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to pediat ..read more

When we first entered dental hygiene school, we were taught that as dental hygienists, we perform many different roles, such as clinician, advocate, researcher, educator, and administrative/manager. Some of us work in different types of dental offices, including private practices, general, perio, and pedo to name a few, while others work in the public health sector. Some hygienists have switched paths and have moved into administrative roles, work as dental manufacturer representatives, or educate future hygienists. There are a variety of clinical settings that dental professionals work in, an ..read more

  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. The post QUIZ: Test Your Ultrasonic Instrumentation Knowledge appeared first on Today's RDH ..read more

Many dental conferences include an exhibit hall aspect. I have experienced exhibits big and small, and I absolutely love this part of any dental conference. Exhibit halls are your opportunity to sample new products, learn, network, and gain more resources to bring back to your job position. Exhibit halls can sometimes be intimidating since much is happening, and a lot of communication needs to occur. When I began to attend conference exhibit halls, I used to just go up to booths and simply talk to the reps. It may surprise those who know me, but I was super shy. However, dental hygiene and net ..read more

Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has identified an association between certain oral bacteria and the development of hypertension among postmenopausal women. The potential association may offer new insights into the prevention of this disease in older adults.1 Researchers from the University at Buffalo-State University of New York conducted a comprehensive study involving 1,215 postmenopausal women over an extended period. The study examined blood pressure levels and collected oral biofilm samples to investigate the relationship between oral bacteria and hyper ..read more