This article should begin by introducing the concept of setting new goals for new year in general. The give a couple of generic personal examples. After this, focus the article on setting professional goals and personal goals that help in your professional life. Two examples could be learning a new skill or attending CE on a specific area.

Scanners are valuable tools with many applications for dental hygienists. Learn how to incorporate them in your practice here.

Mentoring a dental hygiene graduate can be beneficial for both parties. Here’s our advice for building a rewarding mentor relationship.

Unrealistic expectations about teeth whitening could lead to disappointed patients. Here’s how to anticipate and manage your patient’s expectations for a positive outcome.

This article should address how dental hygienists can prepare for seeing pediatric patients during the summer season. Areas to address include potential changes in dietary habits and oral hygiene during the summer season – for example, increased consumption of ice cream and other treats, and potentially a more relaxed (lax) attitude to oral hygiene. Then, from there discuss how to prepare and deal with this – for example, making sure to perform CRA, additional coaching on oral hygiene, and preventive care. Another area to address is the potential for increased demand for treatment before children go back to school.

As the prevalence of diabetes increases, we need to understand how to monitor our patients.

Study Groups have shown important since school. This continues to be a great resource as we continue our careers.

We strive to take care of our patients to our best ability. We want our patients to have the best experience. What happens if they don’t?

Recommendations for products for our patients should be made to make their home care routine easier. Learn how to make this easier for them and us!

'Mask mouth' is a new term coined during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is used in reference to the potential oral health side effects of wearing a mask for extended periods of time. It is important for dental hygienists to educate patients on this topic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted quality of life (QoL) for many people around the world. Disruptions in day to day routines can have a negative impact on oral health and potentially contribute to dentinal hypersensitivity. Identifying patients who are silent sufferers and providing solutions for sensitivity relief will have a positive influence on patients QoL.

Bright Smiles Bright Futures

Collaboration with other dental hygienists provides encouragement and support, especially during difficult times. Staying connected with colleagues who are spread out across the country can provide a fresh perspective on dental hygiene related topics. We are fortunate to live in a digital world where it is easy to stay connected.

Teledentistry has traditionally been thought of as access to care for the most vulnerable populations. However, during the pandemic there was a significant increase in the utilization of teledentistry. Teledentistry beyond its traditional role, may offer solutions for dental hygienists who are still adapting to the new normal of returning to work during a pandemic.

Learning to listen to your patient should be the first part of the appointment. Listening helps us make appropriate recommendations and earn our patients' trust.

Sjögren’s Syndrome is an auto-immune disorder that is characterized by dry mouth and dry eyes, and often accompanied by a connective tissue disorder as well. Dry mouth means that patients with Sjögren’s syndrome are at increased risk for dental caries.

Virtual Meetings can be a great experience! Creating an environment wrapped around the meeting can be exciting and bring great memories for the entire team!

Tooth whitening is as popular as ever and we are seeing people in all age groups opting for this esthetic treatment to improve their smiles. A successful whitening program could have a positive impact on your practice. Successful results lead to patient motivation to maintain the results with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits.

It is important to have an understanding of the whitening system that you, the dental hygienist, will want to integrate into your office as well as a plan of action before approaching your dentist with the idea.

Learning how to prepare an appointment for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder can help establish a better dental experience and develop good oral health habits.

Dental caries is a preventable disease. Working together, every child can have an opportunity to have a healthier oral health!

Sensitivity is a topic we have heard over and over again. Are we still talking about it because we aren't addressing it and helping to resolve it? Going out of our own comfort zone and learning about what the patient is willing and not willing to try, so we can recommend appropriately, must be at the top of our list! A happy patient will be a returning patient!

Success begins with a plan! Starting the day with a morning huddle can create a happier environment, a cohesive team and greater production!

As dental hygienists step up during the pandemic, we've compiled a list of tools to help maintain high standards of patient education.

Sustainability within the dental practice may seem like a large task. However, there are many simple steps dental hygienists can take to partner with the dental team, our patients and Colgate, to help create a healthy and sustainable future.

It is the responsibility of the dental provider to identify and provide recommendations based on the need of that patient for full mouth health. Giving a patient the full picture of what their needs are, based on their specific health and charting it into the Caries Risk Assessment, will help a patient understand their needs and help them to follow through with recommendations.

As dental hygienists are going back to practicing dental hygiene, many changes are coming our way! Some clinicians will meet new obstacles with exciting opportunities to grow their practice which will be better for the practice and the patient. Having an assistant in the hygiene department can provide great success if the right attitude, plan of approach and execution has been made! Being open to new ways of doing things will be important as we venture into the current and post-pandemic chapter of dentistry.

Many hygienists are looking for new opportunities as their previous employers are unable to reopen. There are many great opportunities waiting! Preparing yourself - from the search to the interview - will help to ensure you find the best practice for you!

COVID-19 can intensify dental anxiety in pediatric patients. Here's how dental hygienists can help nervous young patients feel safe in the dental office.

This article should first first discuss what an RDHAP is. After this, briefly describe what training is needed to become an RDHAP. The article should then describe what an RDHAP does, the types of facilities they work in and opportunities this presents.

Can initiating a pre-procedural mouthrinse protocol help to protect against COVID-19 transmission?

There are many opportunities in dental public health programs for dental hygienists. From education programs for preschoolers to community administration & more.

COHA Advisory Board

COHA Advisory Board

This article addresses both in-office and at-home (take-home) tooth whitening options. It discusses how to identify which of these two options would be the best solution for your patient – consider, for example, speed – how quickly does the patient need/want whitening (e.g., likes almost instant gratification or has a special event coming up fast?), ability to choose when to whiten, ability to follow instructions at home, preference to have whitening done for you in the office with no effort on the part of the patient. You should also include the fact that patients today desire whiter teeth during teenage years and at all ages/stages during adulthood, and that while we may have typically thought of this as a desire for the young, many patients are choosing whitening later in life as they embark on new phases in their life such as retirement.

This article should provide an overview of e-scripting – what it is, why it came into existence, advantages (and potential disadvantages). After exploring this, provide some hints and tips on what the dental office should do when using e-scripts and provide a couple of examples. Hints and tips should include at least the following: 1. Making sure to save the information on the products you prescribe in the system 2. Making sure you have the correct variants for what you want 3. Making sure to fill in that the branded product is required. 4. Additional tips as applicable.

This article should discuss the role of diet in dental caries and erosion. Examples should be provided of foods, drinks and dietary habits contributing to this problem.

This article should begin by providing a definition for root caries and its location. After this, the disease process for root caries should be briefly discussed. The remainder of the article should focus on the management of root caries - both prevention and nonrestorative treatment for existing caries lesions on root surfaces. Also address need for OHI and dietary advice. Can mention may be dexterity issues causing difficulty with OHI in older patients.

This article should address why it is important to reassess your patient's caries risk post-pandemic. It should include information on what may have changed for an individual patient during the pandemic, making it even more important to reassess their caries risk. Examples of areas to address that include potential changes that would increase caries risk: 1) habits (e.g., more frequent snacking, greater consumption of soft drinks (sugars), increased alcohol consumption, drug use). 2) Anxiety/depression during the pandemic and use of medications causing dry mouth. 3) Reduced home care 4) lack of visits to the dental office/reduced visits. Also mention that COVID-19 can itself result in dry mouth. After this, briefly address options for care based on the outcome of the risk assessment.

This article should discuss how RDH can best partner with other members of the dental team. It should provide tips on how to do so, and including to discussing how each member contributes to patients wanting and receiving whitening treatments, how to all 'sing from the same sheet' on information and discussions about whitening with patients. The roles of each individual should be also be discussed.

No one wants a medical emergency in their office. Good preparation, before an emergency actually happens, will help prepare for a good outcome!

Sweet treats are in abundance during the holidays, but this can put your patients at higher risk of dental caries. Here's how dental hygienists can help.

Giving patients resources to help with medication induced dry mouth and increased caries risk can be easy when you understand their need!

Prescription-level fluorides are shown to prevent, arrest and reverse dental caries. Are you prescribing them in your office?

With National Children's Dental Health Month approaching, we discuss how dental hygienists can prepare to get involved and give back in February 2022.

Many patients do not need a thermostat to know the weather is getting colder. The extreme sensitivity many of them suffer from is very real and with proper recommendations, can be resolved!.

There are oral and systemic health issues we need to continue the conversation on for patients with diabetes.

Lasers have become popular amongst dental hygienists. Their ability to assist with patient care has made them an enticing adjunct therapy.

Optimism is key to a happy, healthy and productive dental office. Here's how every dental hygienist can become a champion of optimism in the workplace.

Summer means more outdoor activity, higher sports drinks consumption -- and potentially more dental erosion. Here's how dental hygienists can help.

We all want our patients to be enthusiastic about brushing, but what happens when they're too enthusiastic? Here's how to manage the risks of overbrushing.

Colgate is committed to leaving a positive footprint on our world, to encourage not only healthier resources, but a way of life that benefits us all!

Leaving home doesn't mean our patients have to leave behind the products they have always used. Resources such as Colgate Professional Direct help patients continue to get the products recommended by their dental professional.

Parents have their children's best interest at heart, but may not be educated on proper oral care for them. It is your job to make parents feel comfortable.

Here are some of the facts about this unfortunate crime and what you can do as a dental hygienist to help your patients feel safe at home.

Social media is fast becoming a great way to draw eyes to your dental office, and you might be looking for social media tips.

Volunteering individually, as a practice or with a group of dental hygiene friends can be an extremely rewarding experience, and a valuable team bonding experience.

Managing nervous patients can be very challenging for dental hygienists. Incorporating relaxation techniques into your practice may allow you to provide better care for these patients.

Planning a dental hygiene maternity leave doesn't have to be stressful if you stay organized and develop a plan that works for you.

As a dental hygienist, your patients look to you for guidance about their dry mouth symptoms and for suggestions on how to get relief from dry mouth.

Trending Topics

A discovery made by the University of Nottingham and the Wyss Institute at Harvard University has uncovered the capabilities of regenerative dental fillings.

The potential of squid ink in dental hygiene is part of the newest research in the dental community. Learn more here.

Dental hygienists play an important role in teaching patients that proper plaque removal is critical for protecting their oral and systemic health.

This new classification system has two key components: identifying a stage and a grade of periodontal disease involvement for the patient.

Career Development

Numerous applications for 3D printing technology are being researched, including in dentistry. Read more about these exciting updates at Colgate® Professional.

Fluoride therapy was thought of as a measure to help prevent caries in children. Your patients may be unaware that fluoride therapies are not only for children.

Dentists are usually viewed as leaders of a dental practice. This includes being able to make difficult decisions & communicating those choices to all team members.

Have you felt pain in your shoulders, hands or knees after a long day? Learn how to distinguish between types of arthritis and joint inflammation.

Completing dental coding correctly based on diagnosis & treatment is critical. If performing localized delivery of antimicrobial agents, D4381 may be useful.

Like many others, you may not be saving as much as you should be. But here's the good news: you can start building your savings today, and it doesn't have to hurt.

If you are suffering from daily discomfort at work, try out these sneaky in-office stretches to help you relieve your pain. Your body will thank you.

Here are some networking tips to stay updated on the latest advancements in the dental hygiene field and also to meet new people along the way.

Working with chronic pain is a very real possibility in the clinical career of a dental hygienist; however, pain does not have to mean the end of your career.

The long-term effects of poor smartphone ergonomics may cause neck, back, wrist & hand strain. Luckily, proper smartphone posture may help to prevent injuries.

Dental hygienists should invest in physical health through yoga, Pilates & other physical activities; a healthy body is essential to longevity in the operatory.

Dental hygienists can help patients by understanding the model and knowing what information would help at each stage necessary for positive habit changes.

Talking to patients with eating disorders can be a difficult part of a dental hygienist's job. It is crucial to reach out to in a non-offensive manner.

Dentistry is doing its part in fighting the opioid epidemic. The American Dental Association (ADA)'s new policy on opioids may help this national crisis.

Here are some tips to help you through your 'not-your-average' day and provide your coworker's patients with the best care possible.

Depending on where you work, your compensation as a dental hygienist may be flexible too, so it's important to understand how each works.

Stress can be unavoidable, especially when you deal with individual patient factors, ergonomic demands and even personal conflicts within your clinical team.

Writing the perfect resume can keep a potential employer interested and inspire questions that will keep the conversation flowing during the interview process.

Saving for retirement may not be a top priority right now, but maybe it should be. Everyone wants to have a dream retirement free of financial worries.

As a dental hygienist, you can inform about HPV and oral cancer. Talking to your patients about this does not have to be awkward if you know where to begin.

Dental hygienists know the difference between recall appointments, aka a "cleaning," and periodontal appointments. But do you know if your patients?

Dentistry itself is full of disposables, in part due to concerns about keeping patients and staff safe but there are many opportunities to reduce waste.

Geriatric dental care has become more important than ever as the dental field can expect to see an influx of geriatric patients over the coming decades.

Are you wondering what the difference is between a working interview and a standard interview? Read on to learn more tips for acing your test.

Dental hygienists who have good time management skills can increase productivity and encourage a positive work environment. An organized office will often have more efficient workdays.

Dental hygienist professionals are an important part of educating patients who are currently under, or are considering, orthodontic care.

We owe it to our patients to ensure that our dental hygienist continuing education units (CEUs) are updated annually. Here are tips to elevate your career.

Read on to learn more about why DHPs are so valuable to patients and dental offices alike, and why some professionals are apprehensive about the new position.

Sharpening manual scalers and curettes, and keeping their cutting edges in top condition, are essential for effective instrumentation and to help avoid hand strain.

Dental recycling may seem like a big job to tackle, there are many simple steps you can take to help eliminate waste and go green in the dental office.

Chronic pain is common among dental hygienists, the good news is there are steps you can take to prevent and manage dental hygienist pain throughout the body.

If you're ready to purchase a pair of loupes, a guide to the types available and important specifications can help you choose the best pair for your work.

If you follow these seven steps, you will be well on your way to creating long-lasting patient relationships that go beyond clinical care.

There are many challenges that a dental hygienist may face when caring for the elderly patient population. Read on for some suggestions for overcoming issues.

Learn more about periodontal & cardiovascular diseases, how to communicate the connection, and educate patients to take charge of their oral & systemic health.

Although first introduced in the 1970s, you still may want to use an air polisher (without retiring your prophy cup completely) depending a patient's needs.

Rather than trying to tough out pain from your dental hygiene career, you should identify exactly what causes pain during your workday.

You may wonder just what ergonomic chairs can do for you. You may also be overwhelmed by the variety of seating options & how to decide which is best for you.

Many patients recognize your work & leave their appointments feeling great; but, there is always one patient who gives the impression they just don't like you.

Keeping in touch with classmates from dental hygiene school takes some effort. Here are some tips for networking events you can employ to advance your career.

Dental radiographs are part of thorough dental care and can provide you with information related to caries, bone loss & other pathologies.

You probably have a wish list of dental hygiene equipment. Products such as loupes or an ultrasonic insert with LED lighting make our jobs easier, but they come with a hefty price tag.

When it's time to take a vacation — or to make plans for when your children are out of school, getting that time off can become a logistical nightmare.

While dental hygiene is a growing field with real financial benefits, coming right out of school with debt can be a daunting financial dilemma.

To accommodate curve balls that come with being a dental hygienist, be strategic in setting goals to make sure you're planning for whatever comes your way.

Preventing and managing carpal tunnel is essential for a long career as a dental hygienist, so here are some things you need to know to help protect yourself.

As a dental hygienist, you can help improve patient compliance with their oral health care regimen with these five tips available at Colgate® Professional.

Technology has had an amazing impact on dentistry & many offices still offer conventional impressions alongside digital ones. Which is best for your patients?

Here are some ways you can use online resources to help you provide your patients with the high-quality care they deserve.

This code now bridges the gap between dental procedure codes D1110 (prophylaxis) and D4341/D4342 (scaling and root planing).

Making eating right a priority will have a positive impact on your workday and your personal life. Here are steps to add healthy eating habits into your day.

Newer dental practice management programs can work for both Macs and PCs. Cloud-based software is easy to access in any location for multiple locations.

Do you worry about how to pay for college for yourself or your kids? If so, you're not alone.