Beyond Burnout: 5 steps to lead your hygiene team toward higher job satisfaction and retention

Posted on by Jamie Dooley RDH BIS
Every practice has that one person who steps up and helps out (without being asked), enjoys learning, and boosts the morale of the whole team. Chances are it is one of your hygienists. The best RDHs to employ are those who go the extra mile; but if you don’t acknowledge their extra effort, they will move on to a setting that does.  There is a shift happening in dental hygiene, and if we aren’t prepared for it, we are going to fall so far behind that it will be challenging to catch up. As ...
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Protect Patient Health with Salivary Diagnostics

Posted on by Kathryn Gilliam
Persistent oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infections have been linked to an increased risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancer. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Over 200 strains of HPV have been identified. The high-risk types, HPV-16 and HPV-18 are associated with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The CDC reports that HPV is responsible for approximately 70% of oropharyngeal cancer in the Unit...
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The Lagom Method: A Balanced Approach to Health

Posted on by Jessica Lederhausen
Health isn’t just about avoiding disease – it’s about thriving sustainably. As a dentist, public health advocate, and former professional athlete, I’ve learned that lasting well-being isn’t built on extremes, but rather on balance and consistency. In Swedish culture, we call this Lagom – "just the right amount." As part of The Lagom Method, I incorporate salivary diagnostics as part of the ”toolbox” to manage your health journey. The Lagom Method: A Habit-Based Approach Lagom is a phil...
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Throwback: AAP Classifications Simplified: Part 2

Posted on by Kelly Young BSDH
  A couple weeks ago, establishing a stage for your patient was highlighted – click HERE to read part 1. Once you have established the stage of your patient, the grade needs to be determined. The three grades are A, B, or C. The grade indicates the speed of progression and the quality of treatment response. In order to establish the grade, there are 3 factors to consider: Direct evidence – Evidence of bone loss over the past 5 years. (You may not have access to previous records, but...
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The Hidden Threat to Dental Implants: Why Ignoring Bacteria is a Risky Gamble – Part 2

Posted on by Michael Goldberg DMD
  In Part 1, we uncovered a hidden threat to dental implants—bacteria—and explored why so many providers overlook the critical step of testing for harmful pathogens before placement. Despite the clear risks, common objections like cost, insurance coverage, and lack of awareness often stand in the way. In Part 2, we’ll break down how to shift the conversation, overcome objections, and use ethical influence to help patients make the best decision for their long-term health. The truth i...
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RDH Spotlight: Danielle Wisor

Posted on by Danielle Wisor
Dr. Ron McGlennen: What inspired you to pursue a career in dental hygiene, and what do you find most rewarding about it? Danielle: I always knew I wanted to help people love their smiles, like I did after having a great dentist growing up and going through years of braces. It wasn’t until I was in college for dental hygiene that I learned about the Mouth-Body Connection®, which solidified that I was pursuing the correct career path. Dr. Ron McGlennen: How has incorporating salivary dia...
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The Hidden Threat to Dental Implants: Why Ignoring Bacteria is a Risky Gamble – Part 1

Posted on by Michael Goldberg DMD
    Dental implants are everywhere these days. But you know what else is popping up more often? Implant failures. Here’s the title of a recently promoted CE course: “Peri-Implantitis Badlands: Surviving the Wasteland of Failing Implants” It’s like Einstein said: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. So, when a patient loses teeth due to periodontal disease, why in the world would we expect implants to be immun...
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Bacteriological Testing Offers Many Opportunities

Posted on by Lee Sheldon DMD PA
    Why Do Bacteriological Testing? The question is often raised: Why do bacteriological testing when amoxicillin and metronidazole effectively address most periodontal infections? I don't disagree with the efficacy of these medications, but there are compelling reasons to incorporate bacteriological testing into your clinical practice. Targeted Application First, it's important to clarify that I don't perform bacteriological testing on every patient. For cases chara...
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Throwback: AAP Classifications Simplified: Part 1

Posted on by Kelly Young BSDH
    How the heck are we supposed to implement the new American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Staging and Grading Periodontitis classifications into practice? This new system seems so complicated, right?? Actually, it can be simplified and once that is done, the new system is extremely valuable! As hygienists, we know that periodontal disease is multifactorial. It is affected by systemic health, habits, occlusion, and more. We know that it is just as much about the host resp...
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RDH Spotlight: Rebekah Jungina

Posted on by Rebekah Jungina
    Dr. Ron McGlennen: What inspired you to pursue a career in dental hygiene, and what do you find most rewarding about it? Rebekah: My childhood dentist was a family friend, so he made sure my dental experiences were positive. As a teen I worked in his dental office during the summer and that really sparked my interest in dentistry. I noticed the bond that my hygienist had with her patients, and I wanted to be able to improve their health while building relationships wit...
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