Posts

When Hygienists Lead and Dentists Confirm: Why Collaborative Perio Diagnosis Strengthens Outcomes

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Periodontal disease is one of the most common chronic conditions, affecting more than half of the adult population. Yet in many dental practices, the diagnostic process can feel fragmented, rushed, or inconsistent. Here’s a common scenario: The dental hygienist completes the assessment, shares their suggested condition, also known as a dental hygiene diagnosis with the dentist that reflects their clinical findings. They then collaborate with the dentist, who is ultimately responsible for making the formal periodontal diagnosis. But somewhere along the way… the pieces don’t always connect. Something to consider: The diagnosis of periodontal disease only reaches its full potential when hygienists and dentists work together, deliberately, confidently, and consistently. This blog explores why shared diagnosis matters, the key contributions, and how collaboration transforms both patient outcomes and practice culture. The Hygienist’s Role: Leading the Assessment With Precision Denta...
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"Just Clean My Teeth”: Navigating Pushback With Confidence and Care

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You know the moment: You begin a conversation with a patient about their current oral health needs, rooted in their history, habits, and risk factors, and just as you start to make specific recommendations, you hear: “Can you just clean my teeth?” “I don’t want you to do the probing today.” “You don’t need to go into all that… I’m fine.” The wall goes up. The energy shifts. And suddenly, what should be a meaningful and motivating discussion becomes a very delicate interaction. But here’s the good news: These moments don’t need to stop you in your tracks or prevent you from delivering best-practice care. With a pause, a breath, and a coaching mindset, you can approach these situations with curiosity instead of pressure, and continue the conversation with confidence and compassion. Below are three simple strategies , paired with easy actions you can start using immediately. 1. Lead With Curiosity, Not Correction When patients push back, whether about information, charting, or treatm...
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Vaping & Oral Health: What Every Dental Professional Needs to Know

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Vaping has exploded in popularity over the past decade especially among youth. In Canada alone, 30% of teens aged 15–19 have tried vaping , and the numbers continue to rise. While marketed as a “safer” alternative to cigarettes, e-cigarettes carry a hidden set of dangers that reach far beyond the lungs. As oral health professionals, we’re on the frontline of this conversation. Dental Hygienists see patients more frequently than most other health providers, making us uniquely positioned to identify early signs of harm and support behaviour change. Why Is Vaping So Appealing? If you’ve ever wondered what drives young people toward vaping, one word stands out: Flavour. More than 99% of e-cigarettes contain flavouring chemicals , and they come in options like bubble gum, cotton candy, cherry, birthday cake, and fruit punch. These products are engineered to be enticing, especially to younger users. The concern? These flavouring chemicals don’t just taste sweet. They: Encourage grow...
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Lights, Camera, Connection: Visuals That Drive Patient Engagement

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Through the ongoing delivery of my Embracing Visual Technology to Elevate Patient Care webinars and in-person support sessions with teams, I continue to see incredible opportunities unfold. When dental hygienists consistently integrate visual tools like intraoral cameras and before-and-after images, the impact on patient understanding and motivation is immediate and lasting. The Power of a Visual Moment Many of us have experienced that patient who’s overdue for their hygiene visit. You pick up the intraoral camera and capture those first few images, heavy biofilm, plaque, calculus, and stain. Then, after the visit, you show them the difference. That’s the moment awareness turns into action. From Awareness to Action Before-and-after images don’t just tell a story they create a partnership. These visuals help patients make personally informed decisions about their oral health. When patients see their own condition clearly, conversations shift to a place of curiosity and ownership...
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From Red Dots to Real Impact: Why Bleeding on Probing Matters

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If you’ve ever found yourself midway through a perio charting thinking, “ I know this is important, but do I really need to capture something like bleeding on probing?” You’re not alone. That’s a perfect time to reconnect as a team and revisit the benefits of a comprehensive periodontal assessment. Furthermore, reflecting on key questions  such as, is my perio assessment able to guide my dental hygiene diagnosis and a care plan that’s patient specific and targeting current disease activity?  This is when we can uncover where infection persists, where health is maintained, and where disease may be quietly progressing. Completing a comprehensive periodontal assessment isn’t just a clinical box to check, it’s a dedicated, patient-specific timeframe that allows for evaluation of disease activity, assess healing, and personalize care. Comprehensive Records Protect You and Your Patients Why it matters: Complete documentation benefits everyone, the patient, the practice, and the den...
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Mindset Matters: The Hidden Force Behind Quality Care and a Fulfilled Day

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  In dentistry, skill and science are only part of the story. It's important to recognize what truly determines how we show up for our patients and teams starts with our mindset. Our internal state shapes not only our words, tone, and body language but also how patients respond, how smoothly our day flows, and how we feel at the end of our day.  When we bring self-awareness to our thinking, we can intentionally choose our energy, connect more deeply, and anchor every interaction in purpose, one that aligns with our patients’ goals. 3 Mindset Statements for Dental Professionals 1. “The energy I bring to the operatory sets the tone for connection and trust.” Why it works: Our brains have mirror neurons  cells that unconsciously reflect the emotions and energy of those around us. When we enter with calm confidence and genuine presence, patients’ nervous systems attune to that energy. It creates psychological safety, builds trust, and opens the door for collaborative car...
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The Many Opinions of Dental Polishing: Where Do You Stand

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Dental polishing has always been one of those satisfying moments in a dental hygiene visit. From the patient perspective it's that finishing touch that leaves patients running their tongue across that "just saw my dental hygienist" feeling. As our profession continues to evolve, so does our understanding of what polishing truly brings to patient care. It’s no longer about whether we polish or not, it’s about how , why , and when we polish. As dental hygienists, we’ve learned that polishing is both an art and a science, and that every patient deserves an approach tailored to their unique needs. The Shifting View of Polishing There was a time when every patient received a full-mouth polish, every visit. Then came the movement toward selective polishing,  the idea that only teeth with visible stain should be polished to prevent unnecessary enamel wear. That was decades ago, based on early research that has since been questioned. Today, the focus is less about limiting ...
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