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

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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Interview with Tonja Willey RDH, MS–Dental Hygiene Instructor

Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how your students use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics. Tonja Willey RDH, MS: Our students’ select one patient with moderate to severe periodontitis for a special program called Senior Capstone project; Perio Project. The goal of this project is to have the student follow one patient from the New Patient Consultation through all the steps of therapy in hopes of improving health or finding a more stable condition. The program fee ($175) includes several types of tests i...
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Education and Encouragement through Connecting and Commitment: An Interview with Rosie Jimenez

Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how do you use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics.  Rosie RDH: Let me begin by sharing; I have been very fortunate to work in practices that support my passion for treating periodontal disease. My patients have benefited through the communication, assessment and treatment I provide. I know there are hygienists who feel they are not supported in their efforts. In honor of dental hygiene month, my advice- stay strong, keep educating yourself on new technologies and keep as...
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Are you tired of the “Are you flossing?” song and dance? Find the Root Cause Instead: An Interview with Angie Bays

Dr. McGlennen: What are the biggest benefits to using salivary diagnostics? Angie RDH: The biggest benefit with offering MyPerioPath® is it gives the clinician another platform for educating the patient. I know patients are fed up of hearing about brushing and flossing, just as much as hygienists are weary of saying it. Don’t get me wrong brushing and flossing are important but OralDNA® takes care to another level. We can now show the patient the root cause of the infection, maybe even ti...
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Saving Patient’s Time and Money: An Interview with Lori Appehans

In many, if not most dental offices, the dental hygienists are the engine that makes the practice go. Clinicians like Lori Appehans are providing optimal treatment by choosing to utilize salivary diagnostic technology. It is my sincere hope that her patients understand how well they are being taken care of. It was certainly my pleasure to discuss the impact of salivary testing with Lori. Dr. Nagelberg: Tell me why you started to use OralDNA salivary diagnostics. Lori, RDH: We were frus...
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