Did you know that acronyms are actually very modern inventions? They were found to be in existence around World War 1, but were still not used very much until World War 2. The word “acronym” did not even come into…
I recently had coffee with one of my dental hygiene classmates from the University of Alberta. We reminisced about our days of learning about the profession of dental hygiene with memories of our favourite instructors, exams, radiography labs, petri dishes…
Owning my own practice seemed insurmountable in 2010 when I put together my first business plan. It took me three months to add the lines and numbers into various spreadsheets and when I realized that I didn’t have enough money,…
I’ve been blessed to have an extraordinary support team of friends, family and colleagues who have helped me with every step of our mission, to help ‘Transform the Dental Hygiene Experience’, for the Clinician, the Client and the Practice.Advertisement It…
As you are all very aware, dental hygienists are educated health professionals who specialize in the promotion of oral health and the prevention of oral diseases. But in the grand scheme of things, you are so much more than that.…
Historical thinking about the role of the dental hygienist as a member of the health care team is that their purpose is primarily auxiliary or clinical.1 However, a paradigm shift in the profession has been in process for several years.2…
In the world of dental hygiene, we commonly refer to routine follow up exams with patients as ‘recall’ appointments. More appropriately, these can be considered re-care exams, as our patients aren’t recalled per se, rather compassionately re-cared for through the…
Forget trying to lose weight for the next selfie on Instagram – get healthy and fit to boost productivity and mental clarity. You see being physically fit has major physiological benefits that go far beyond fitting into your skinny jeans.…
As dental hygienists across Canada, we are united and bonded by one major, collective fear: The Continuing Competence, Quality Assurance auditing process. The mere mention of the term elicits a sequence of events including, but not limited to, sweating, blurred…
As we approach the end of the year, it’s common for many people to look at their bank accounts and question where all the money they made has gone. Taking control of your finances requires discipline and we have provided…
Ivividly remember my interview, first job and very first day. I thought outside of the box to secure my first job. Writing my resume was a challenge being a new graduate without any dental experience. Unlike some of my 2007…
The dental patients we once knew are a thing of the past – much like your old flip phone. Today’s patients are tech savvy, well educated and likely to have researched all of their symptoms and dental treatments prior to…
As a practicing dental hygienist, I focused on the delivery of patient-centred care, avoided the financial and operational aspects of a dental practice, and had no need for business acumen. Over time working in dental clinics, my interests and horizons…
When we graduate from dental hygiene school and enter the workforce, it is the skills that we attained and the desire to help people that drive us. We do not think when we meet a potential employer to ask about…
What is the number one reason why patients do not return for their hygiene visits? Doctors and team members: if you don’t know, you need to find out! We’ve all heard the excuses; illness, my boss called a meeting, my kids…
Dental hygienists and therapists have been empowered by legislators in Canada, the UK and increasingly in the US to deliver dental services outside of the dental practice. There has been a boom in independent hygiene and this will only grow…
More studies are showing that a small segment of the community needs medical care on an ongoing basis. This pattern is called persistent care and it seems to be associated to those with more than one chronic condition. It may well…
This was a recent headline in the Los Angeles Times. The article outlines a new California law that authorizes dental hygienists to treat cavities without a dentist on site by placing low-cost, temporary fillings. The temporary fillings applied by the…
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