I have been a dental hygienist for 12 years now; my back and neck pain started while I was in school. The assumption was that if you’re a dental professional, you will have neck and back pain. My first full time job out of school was taking over for a hygienist who had to retire after 20 years due to back problems caused from her profession. Every time I would go to the chiropractor, he would always remind me that dental professionals were one of his largest patient bases. That wasn’t very reassuring! As the years went on, I visited him more and more looking for relief. Probably like many of you, the relief was better after the adjustment, but my next clinical day, the pain was back. I was finding myself calling my massage therapist/chiropractor in between patients in desperation. I needed an emergency appointment because I didn’t know if I could make it through the next working day without their help. It was like a drug I could not get away from and not to mention all the money I spent on the care I received. Finally, the pain became so bad I knew I had to do something, and I couldn’t give up hygiene because I had a family to care for.
When I was in school 12 years ago, I purchased traditional loupes as it was recommended to help with ergonomics. At my school, they only allowed one company to come in to meet with us and I hadn’t had any previous dental experience prior to school so I thought that was the only company there was. I had my first set of traditional loupes for 10 years and finally I decided an upgrade was needed. I had just started hearing about ergonomic loupes, but I didn’t know anyone else who had them, and I wasn’t sure if they really made a difference. So, I stuck with what I knew and ordered another set of traditional loupes.
Fast forward two more years, when my pain was at an all-time high and I was looking for a solution. There was a new doctor fresh out of dental school who was wearing ergonomic loupes, so I started asking him about his experience with the product and company. He had nothing but wonderful things to say, about Andau Medical, so I made the call. Here is what you need to know: IT SAVED MY HYGIENE CAREER, AND IT CHANGED MY LIFE! Day one, my neck and back pain was gone! The first time I went to my massage therapist after receiving my ergonomic loupes, she said “Miranda, your back feels so much better today, have you done something different?” From that moment on, I became determined to help other dental professionals who are suffering and who want to extend their careers!
Today, I am proud to say that I am an Andau Medical territory manager for the state of Kentucky! If you’re like me, you may have never heard of Andau Medical before so let me fill you in on this wonderful company and what makes us stand out from the rest! They are the distributors for Admetec, and they have been manufacturing ergonomic loupes since 2009. Yes, that is 15 years’ experience and counting, making them pioneers of this technology. In 2020, Andau and Admetec became partners. They first entered Canada, where now they are the market leader for loupes and lights. Then in 2022, Andau entered the USA, so they may be new to us here in the States, but they are not new to the loupe and light industry! Andau is known as the ergonomic company, and they have the lightest loupe and light combo on the market! Their ergonomic loupes range from 3.0X to 10.0X and that’s the widest range on the market! They are also known for their customer service, and some might say that is the most important quality! OH! And one more thing, most of our territory managers are hygienists, so we understand your needs firsthand!
For the past six years, I’ve incorporated OralDNA® into my practice, and it has truly transformed the level of care I’m able to provide for my patients. Salivary diagnostics isn’t just a tool—it’s an investment in your patients’ long-term health and well-being. By leveraging this advanced technology, I’m able to offer more precise, personalized treatment plans that make a real difference in their lives. Andau Medical Ergonomic loupes are an investment you can make in yourself and is a technology that will help us practice longer, and who doesn’t want to work pain free?! Combine that with OralDNA Labs, a game-changer in salivary diagnostics, and you have the tools to provide the highest level of care. OralDNA and Andau are equally important to continue providing lifesaving dentistry! Who is ready to get ergonomic and start testing?
In 2012 I graduated from dental hygiene school and have been practicing ever since! I went back to school and graduated in 2017 with my bachelor’s degree in marketing.About 6 years ago I was introduced to biologic dentistry, and I am proud to say today that I am a health care hygienist! I look beyond the mouth to help my patients be proactive instead of reactive. I own my own business called “RDH Hero” and it focuses on helping other dental professionals as well as holistic options for our patients. I have a few articles that have been published on a blog called “Trends in Salivary Testing.”I am trained in microscopy and have used microscopes to proactively diagnose disease before it is evident in the mouth! Earlier this year I served as an expert witness in a dental hygiene legal case and have held my own CE course called “Hygiene Superstar!”
I am passionate about helping dental professionals and their patients through innovative technologies!
- Investing in Technologies that Help You While Helping Your Patients - September 27, 2024
- RDH Hero LLC: Ozonated Water - June 23, 2023