Posts

When Instruments are Dull Everything is Harder

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The success of non-surgical periodontal therapy relies on multiple factors, one of the most critical being the effective removal of biofilm and calculus through instrumentation. In today’s dental hygiene practice, clinicians commonly use a combination of hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers to achieve this goal. Current evidence supports that both modalities are effective for subgingival instrumentation, with comparable outcomes in pocket depth reduction and bleeding on probing when used independently or in combination (1). Because both approaches are integral to periodontal therapy, instrument performance becomes a defining factor in treatment effectiveness. For ultrasonic instrumentation, efficiency is directly influenced by tip wear. Research shows that a loss of just 1 mm of tip length can reduce efficiency by approximately 25%, while 2 mm of wear can decrease efficiency by up to 50% (2). While monitoring ultrasonic inserts is essential, this publication will focus specifically ...
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Dental Hygiene Best Practices: Fueling Growth

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When the dental industry talks about growth, it’s often framed in numbers.  With production, p rocedural data, b udgets, and c ase acceptance metrics.  Sustainable growth in a dental practice requires attention to key areas that may not appear on a spreadsheet, yet are often directly correlated with measurable outcomes. It begins in the dental hygiene operatory. Dental hygiene best practices are not just about “doing things by the book.” They form the foundation for individual growth, team alignment, sustainable practice growth, and greater patient acceptance of necessary care. Growth shows up in many shapes and forms. And it starts here. 1. Clinical Calibration: Growth Across the Team  Inconsistent processes or protocols creates inconsistent results. When assessment protocols vary from provider to provider, when periodontal charting is not prioritized or incomplete, when active disease is present but the approach remains unchanged, we unintentionally create stagnation. B...
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Turning Patient Resistance into Coaching Moments

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  Chairside resistance is something every RDH experiences. “Can we skip the charting?” “I just want a quick appointment today.” “Everything feels fine.” These chairside moments can feel uncomfortable, especially when you know reviewing and/or updating assessment data is essential to delivering quality periodontal treatment.  Here’s a reframe that's worth considering: These aren’t difficult conversations. They’re coaching opportunities. When we approach chairside pushback with curiosity, partnership, and clarity, we don’t just improve patient acceptance we strengthen trust, elevate clinical outcomes, and reinforce the value of the dental hygiene process of care. 1. Lead With Curiosity, Not Correction When patients push back, they’re rarely rejecting you . More often, it’s fear, overwhelm, time pressure, or a past experience speaking. Curiosity keeps the conversation open and lowers defensiveness. It signals safety. Try this chairside: “What’s making you hesitant ab...
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When Process Creates Clarity: A Perio in Focus Insight

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This is something that took me a while to truly understand. Following ADPIE + D , our best-practice process of care, isn’t about doing more. It’s about gaining clarity in our critical thinking and clinical decision-making . This is an insight I’m unpacking in an upcoming webinar, Perio in Focus , where I explore how this process shapes periodontal care, guides clinical decisions, and reinforces the value of the Registered Dental Hygienist. Here are some of the key reflections I’ll be expanding on and embedding into the presentation. ADPIE + D creates clarity, not complexity. When we intentionally follow assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation, and documentation, we move away from assumptions and toward purposeful care. This process helps us clearly understand why we are making a clinical decision, and that clarity supports patient-centered dialogue and meaningful partnerships with our patients. It protects us from autopilot and routine-driven care. Without a stru...
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Collapsing the Gap: How Dental Teams Lean Into Alignment

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Over the last 4.5 years in my coaching role, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside dental teams at many different stages, from practices that feel well-oiled to teams that are newly formed and still getting to know one another. What I’ve seen time and time again is this: when challenges arise, they are rarely rooted in a lack of skill, effort, or care. In fact, the opposite is usually true. Most gaps emerge when priorities differ, roles aren’t clearly understood, and communication begins to break down between departments. This gap isn’t a failure. It’s a signal. Collapsing it doesn’t require working longer days or pushing harder. It requires intentional alignment, by  helping every team member see how their role connects to the bigger, how everyone has the capacity to contribute to the overall sucess of the practice, team culture, and patient experience.  Here’s what I’ve seen and experienced first hand when this signal is addressed.  1. Start With Shared Awareness ...
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The State of Being an RDH: Where We Are & Where We’re Going

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As this year comes to a close, I’ve found myself reflecting on what I believe it truly means to be a Registered Dental Hygienist right now. We are practicing in a time of rapid change, due to innovations that are creating influence both clinically and professionally. Expectations are higher. Patients are more informed. Practices are navigating staffing challenges and evolving models of care. And yet, in the middle of all of this, RDHs continue to show up, leading conversations, delivering care, and advocating for what is best for patients in ways that often go unseen. I don’t believe we are at a breaking point as a profession. I believe we are at a pivot point . A moment where we get to decide how we continue to show up, how we articulate our value, and how we shape the future of dental hygiene. Here are three key takeaways I believe define the current state of our profession and the direction I feel we are heading.  1. The Role of the RDH Is Evolving, from “Provider” as wel...
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From Heart To Hands: Why Loving Dental Hygiene Starts With Reflection

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Every so often, it’s important to pause. Not to plan the next goal. Not to chase the next certification or seek the next job opportunity. But to reflect, on our journey within the profession and what continues to keep us inspired. Recently, I found myself doing exactly that while preparing a submission for the Heart to Hands Awards , an initiative that celebrates excellence in dental hygiene by recognizing dental hygienists who go above and beyond in their careers and communities. The simple question at the heart of the award,  “What makes you love dental hygiene?” s parked something deeper than I expected. It reminded me that my love for this profession has grown and evolved over time, and that intentionally looking back can be a powerful way to propel ourselves forward. My Journey: What makes me love dental hygiene is simple, but powerful: the ability to make a difference, one person at a time… and eventually, many at once. I began my career in general practice, where I saw ...
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