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.

Fluoride application should be an ongoing conversation. It's important to talk with parents about the benefits of fluoride and how it's more important than ever with the change of schedules and routines.

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.

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.

Negotiating a pay raise is often a difficult task. Find an appropriate time for both you and your employer to discuss a raise. Dental hygienists are invaluable members of the dental team and you deserve to be compensated fairly for your contributions to the office.

As dental teams return to work after COVID-19 closures, here's how dental hygienists can take a leadership role to help ensure a safe, informed workplace.

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.

Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 vaccine rollout, how should dental hygienists answer questions from patients about their vaccination status?

In-person conferences are resuming in 2021! Coming together is an exciting time that we are all looking forward to.

Here are three ways to engage and encourage adolescent patients to take good care of their oral health.

There is debate in the dental community surrounding the issue of whether patients need antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures.

As a dental hygienist, it's important to stay motivated. When dealing with work-related stress, you may lose sight of why you chose dental hygiene as a career.

The key to achieving the right balance between your career and parenthood is to come up with a system to make time for family, but also yourself.

Did you know you can leverage your social media profiles to advance your dental hygiene career? Follow these social networking tips to get the most from your social media profiles.

Have you wondered what the benefit would be if you were to further your education? Here's what to know when considering a bachelor's degree.

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

If you feel you're ready to transition from mentee to mentor, you may not know where to begin. Here are some tips to help you make the leap.

Find tools and resources on a wide variety of topics to help dental professionals inform patients of better oral care practices.

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.

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Here is an overview of mouthwashes, their ingredients, and how to tailor recommendations to best fit your patients' oral health needs.

Attending a dental convention can be an overwhelming experience. Read more to learn how to take advantage of them to propel your career forward.

Dental schools don't teach students how to find a mentor, they place students in guided clinics & classes under direct mentorship from expert dentists.

How do you make the transition from student to dental health professional? Here is advice on finding your way in the real-world workforce of dental hygiene.

Dental caries, if left unchecked can produce cavitation of enamel & collateral damage to the dentin and pulp. Help patients practice good oral health.

A full dental hygiene schedule keeps up the efficiency of the hygiene department & helps patients. Here are some methods to help ensure a full schedule.

Dental hygiene is a field that can be very stressful at times. Use these helpful tips on how to relax after work to help yourself decompress and re-energize.

Networking and building a relationship with a mentor allows dental hygienists to share their knowledge and years of experience with each other.

Questions to ask mentors can include advice on job location, furthering your education or career goals. Here are ideas to help grow your relationship & career.

Questions to ask mentors can include advice on job location, furthering your education or career goals. Here are ideas to help grow your relationship & career.

Dental hygiene is a very mentally and physically demanding career. When your body starts to ache, you are expected to push through the rest of your workday.

When you educate your patients as you treat their gingivitis, it can help them improve their oral hygiene. Here are tips to help your patients oral health.

After the wedding, if a woman chooses to change her name, she will have to change it legally. Here are tips to make the name change process as easy as possible.

As many dental hygienists know, there's a high risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome rearing its ugly head and affecting your ability to perform everyday duties.

Encouraging patient compliance can be difficult with patients who have poor home care habits and a history of periodontal disease or gingivitis.

How can we get our patients to understand that the blood in the sink is a sign that their gums aren't healthy, and to be more proactive with their oral health?

Discomfort can interrupt your life in several ways, that's why it's important to do stretches for shoulder pain. Read more on these stretches.

What you need to know about the complications that may arise due to cancer therapy and what dental measures you can take to keep a patient's mouth healthy.

Dental hygiene can be taxing on the body, resulting in emotions and chronic pain that are all too familiar for many dental hygienists.

You may often put your body in painful positions without realizing it, and poor posture and shoulder pain are directly related. Learn to alleviate both, here.

Working in the limited space of a patient's mouth requires a high degree of precision. For this reason, it is essential that your manual dexterity is developed.

Dental consultants can help your practice provide more efficient, productive care. Understand the pros & cons of a dental consultant before hiring one.

Discussing the effects of smoking and the importance of quitting is difficult. Have you begun talking, only to get an eye roll from your patient?

Patients with diabetes may not realize the connection between diabetes and oral health, or that periodontal disease may add to a rise in blood glucose.

Preventive care matters for treating caries & periodontal disease, learning good habits & proactive care may help prevent back problems and foster a long career.

Follow these time management steps to schedule individual appointments, and your day as a whole, to have a smooth, stress-free day.

Dental practices might adopt an assisted hygiene model for many reasons, from increasing productivity to offering more appointment options for patients.

As a dental hygienist, your job is to provide quality care to everyone, so here are five ways to make your most troublesome patients a little less challenging.

The AHA issued new blood pressure guidelines in November 2017. As a result, almost half of adults in the U.S. fit this definition of hypertension.

Therapy pets help calm patients and may reduce anxiety in children and adults with dental phobias. Learn the pros and cons of pet therapy here.

Dental hygienists have 3 ways to conserve water: in the office, with patients and at home. Here are some tips for a better world through water conservation.

Sales representatives are knowledgeable about products that can help your office and your patients, and a gateway to learning and networking opportunities.

Dental erosion is something you see in patients on a daily basis. Although it has multiple causes, many people aren't aware of the damage done to their teeth.

When it comes to persuading patients to accept a care plan, dental hygienists should be sensitive to the factors that help determine patients' care choices.

Making the connection between oral signs, symptoms, & sleep problems, is key to help patients understand long-term health consequences of their sleep patterns.

For dental hygienists, it can be so frustrating when you realize your patient isn't flossing. Here are some tips to help your patients floss regularly.

It is a dental hygienists responsibility to help patients understand the benefits of preventive dental care, even if insurance may not pay for treatment.

What is reverse mentoring? The name suggests it's a way for the teacher to be taught by the student, but it's so much more than that. Read more to learn how it can help your career.

By using these tooth brushing tips when providing oral health education, you will effectively relay a simple message that focuses on each individual's needs.

Working in multiple dental practices can be like musical chairs. Some may work in one practice exclusively, others may choose to work in multiple offices.

Navigating and understanding the grief process with your patients is a delicate process, but with careful consideration, you can help during a stressful time.

Dentists can be an excellent mentor who can pass down valuable knowledge & first-hand experiences. Read more about the five things you can learn from yours.

Learn how to benefit from a mentor relationship with an experienced dental hygienist and how they can impact your career. Read more at Colgate® Professional.

Considering working with a financial advisor? Having someone guide your financial decisions is a great way to provide peace of mind & financial security.

Networking is important for growth in the dental health field. Discussing latest topics with peers will help you stay up to date on new technology & methods.

Botox injections are a well-known solution for cosmetic needs, but can also be an option for the treatment of certain orofacial conditions.

As the calendar flips to the new year, people may wish to make resolutions to improve their oral health. With the right support, they may reach their goal.

Dental hygienists who ask patients questions beyond their oral health can help build successful relationships and make oral health a more achievable goal.

Here are some tips for communicating effectively with patients and coworkers, and how to integrate into your new office as a dental hygienist.

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.