Being new, but knowing your worth
The struggles of completing your dental hygiene academic career, passing your boards, and getting your license are real! So real that you may look back and wonder, “How the heck did I do that!?” When you let your overactive brain matter start to relax as you put dental hygiene school in the review, a new stressor takes its place, the real dental world. Many dental hygiene clinicians will agree that academia prepares you for patient …Read More
adminOctober 23, 2020
Understanding what really protects us in dentistry—it isn’t just our PPE
Our PPE is not the only thing to protect us in dentistry. There are many other defenses and precautions that keep us safe and limit the spread of infection. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light multiple perspectives on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in dentistry. Some practitioners believe that we have good enough PPE in dentistry and should be allowed to continue working throughout the pandemic, while others are afraid to return …Read More
adminOctober 16, 2020
Why I Became a Dental Hygienist (and would again!)
Sometimes it takes something major to cause you to reevaluate every aspect of your life. For all the challenges and disruption the pandemic has brought, it has also forced us to take stock and re-evaluate what is important. For me, it has rekindled and renewed my love for the dental community and helped me re-identify with the reasons I got into dental hygiene in the first place––to care for others and be in community with …Read More
adminOctober 9, 2020
CDC Updates Its “Guidance for Dental Settings”
Key Points Recognize dental settings have unique characteristics that warrant specific infection control considerations. Prioritize the most critical dental services and provide care in a way that minimizes harm to patients from delaying care and harm to personnel and patients from potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Proactively communicate to both personnel and patients the need for them to stay at home if sick. Know the steps to take if a patient with COVID-19 symptoms enters your facility. …Read More
adminOctober 2, 2020
Managing Stress In The New Dental Normal
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but when we control it, instead of the other way around, we feel better and have better life outcomes. Having seen patients this week and understanding what working in today’s dentist offices requires, I felt compelled to sit down and write to my dental community friends and colleagues who may not be feeling so positive. Did you know that 80% of all the thoughts we have are negative. Yes, you read …Read More
adminSeptember 18, 2020
Adapting to today’s many changes in dental assisting
It’s been more than two months since the American Dental Association (ADA) put forth its recommendations for dentists nationwide to postpone elective procedures as a way to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus. During this time those of us in the dental assisting profession have been faced with significant challenges. Our profession includes clinical and business assistants, dental assisting educators and students, and dental assistants who serve administratively. One benefit that has been apparent throughout this …Read More
adminSeptember 4, 2020
Dentists are sweating under three layers of face protection to get patients back
Dr. Norberto Camacho says he’s drenched in sweat and yearning for oxygen after every shift at his dental practice in Brickell, where the AC is stuck above 72 degrees and staff are adapting to multiple new layers of personal protective equipment. With an 80-year-old grandmother waiting at home and Florida hitting more than 244,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 4,100 deaths as of Friday, Camacho, 35, is determined to minimize the risk of infection for …Read More
adminAugust 28, 2020
Here’s How Much Money Dental Assistants Make In Every State
The career of a dental assistant is currently on fire and is poised to continue its fast growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of dental assistants is projected to increase much faster than average, with approximately 38,700 dental assistant jobs being added from 2018 to 2028, an increase of 11%. Currently, there are 346,000 dental assistant jobs. Using occupational data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we’ve analyzed and …Read More
adminAugust 18, 2020
Are you more than just thirsty? The dangerous impacts of dehydration
The physical environment in the dental office is more taxing than ever. A growing number of health-care professionals are experiencing profound and wide-ranging health complications since returning to the work setting. As of July 23, 2020, 65% of over 3,200 health-care providers back in active practice report dehydration. Out of 65 symptoms, dehydration tops the list as the most reported symptom.1 An increasing number of dental health-care workers are experiencing blackouts while delivering patient care, …Read More
adminJuly 31, 2020
MYTH BUSTERS for Dental Assistants: Dental Assistants are not oral health-care professionals and our opinions do not matter…
Wrong! Tija Hunter, CDA, EFDA, believes dental assistants should all receive mandatory training for infection control. She feels this would help them gain some of the respect that traditionally lacks toward the profession. What do you mean we aren’t professionals and our opinions do not matter? This is not just wrong, but whoa, this could not be further from the truth! Have you ever been made to feel like the black sheep of your dental office? In many …Read More
adminJuly 10, 2020
UPDATE: Dental Assistants Bureau of Labor and Statistics
Quick Facts: Dental Assistants 2019 Median Pay $40,080 per year$19.27 per hour Typical Entry-Level Education Postsecondary nondegree award Work Experience in a Related Occupation None On-the-job Training None Number of Jobs, 2018 346,000 Job Outlook, 2018-28 11% (Much faster than average) Employment Change, 2018-28 38,700 What Dental Assistants Do Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, keep records, and schedule appointments. Work Environment Almost all dental assistants work in dentists’ offices. Most work full …Read More
adminJuly 3, 2020
Conquering a Difficult Case
INTRODUCTION: WHERE TO START? This is one of the most challenging questions when encountering a difficult case. Patients may enter our office hoping to fix an aesthetic problem when their dental issues require far more attention than veneers or crowns alone. Every case truly begins as a “fact finding mission.” We must ask, “How did this patient get into this dental situation?” and evolve into, “Where do we want to go from here?” As dentists, we …Read More
adminJune 12, 2020
CDC Releases New Guidance for Dental Care During COVID-19
The anticipation seemed to be over when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its long-awaited guidelines for dental settings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the CDC has set up a framework for dental healthcare providers, it is encouraged to consult state dental boards and state health departments to stay current on local requirements. These will vary due to the different rates of infection throughout the country. The risk associated with …Read More
adminJune 5, 2020
4 Reasons to be Grateful for Dental Assistants
November brings with it the opportunity to reflect on the many reasons to appreciate dental assistants, as well as all of the ways they contribute to the dental office. In fact, dental assistants’ colleagues agree that assistants positively impact the practice, according to research commissioned by the DALE Foundation, the affiliate of the Dental Assisting National Board. The DALE Foundation’s “Value of Dental Assistants to the Dental Practice” research, which drew insights from nearly 3,000 dentists, dental …Read More
adminMay 27, 2020
Use a “Growth Mindset” to Be Ready for Your Dental Comeback!
Tonya Lanthier Do You Have a Comeback Mindset? When the doors to your practice open, will you be ready? Will you be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with team members who are ready? Our ability to innovate and find new operational efficiencies is critical, but perhaps more critical to our comeback success is our “growth mindset.” Belief systems, both conscious and unconscious, can help or hinder our abilities and our behavior. Our mindsets are rooted in our belief systems and …Read More
adminMay 8, 2020
UPDATE: Dentistry Workers and Employers
COVID-19 Control and Prevention This section provides guidance for dentistry workers and employers. This guidance supplements the general interim guidance for workers and employers of workers at increased risk of occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2. On March 16, 2020, the American Dental Association called for dentists to keep their offices closed to all but urgent and emergency procedures during the COVID-19 outbreak. Unless emergency dental procedures absolutely cannot be delayed, OSHA further recommends that emergency dental procedures be performed on patients with suspected or …Read More
adminMay 4, 2020
An article on whether the exposures to aerosols pose a risk to dental professionals?
Abstract Background Dental care professionals are exposed to aerosols from the oral cavity of patients containing several pathogenic microorganisms. Bioaerosols generated during dental treatment are a potential hazard to dental staff, and there have been growing concerns about their role in transmission of various airborne infections and about reducing the risk of contamination. Aims To investigate qualitatively and quantitatively the bacterial and fungal aerosols before and during clinical sessions in two dental offices compared with …Read More
adminApril 24, 2020
Coping with Social Distancing: Tips for Managing Time, Stress, and Anxious Feelings
By now, most, if not all, of us are practicing social distancing until further notice. For those with kids, they are homeschooling while trying to balance remote work schedules. For others that may be alone or have no kids or family nearby, or have been temporarily laid off of work, this time is especially challenging. We must all do our part to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing functions as a means of …Read More
adminMarch 24, 2020
Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush?
Answer From Thomas J. Salinas, D.D.S. It’s possible to brush your teeth effectively with a manual toothbrush. However, an electric toothbrush can be a great alternative to a manual toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other conditions that make it difficult to brush well. An electric toothbrush’s bristle movement might even help you remove more plaque from your teeth and improve your gum health. If you use an electric toothbrush, make sure it’s comfortable …Read More
adminMarch 13, 2020
Whitening strips could be doing serious damage to your teeth
Pearly whites can come with a price. Teeth whitening is expected to become a $7.4 billion industry by 2024, with Americans spending $1.4 billion alone on over-the-counter whiteners to bleach away the stains from cigarettes, red wine, coffee and natural aging, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. But preliminary research presented at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s annual meeting this week suggests that these whitening strips could be damaging teeth beneath the surface. …Read More
adminMarch 10, 2020Patient-Friendly Short-Term Orthodontics
Category: Orthodontics Created: Monday, 18 March 2013 13:55 Written by Angie Nauman, DDS INTRODUCTIONAdults comprise a large part of the population in need of orthodontic treatment to correct misalignment. While the benefits of orthodontic treatment include a healthier mouth, the most obvious is a cosmetically enhanced and more pleasant smile. However, people needing orthodontic treatment generally are more likely to suffer from or develop periodontal disease, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, headaches, and neck, shoulder, and back pain, all of …Read More
adminFebruary 27, 2020
2020 Best Jobs: Dental Assistants
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11.2 percent employment growth for dental assistants between 2018 and 2028. In that period, an estimated 38,700 jobs should open up. Dental assistants prepare patients for treatments and teeth cleanings, plus sterilize instruments. You may think every scrub-wearing worker in the dentist’s office is either a dentist or dental hygienist. Some of them are, but some of the other professionals performing integral tasks in running the office and facilitating …Read More
adminJanuary 23, 2020
MIT researchers create a reusable silicone mask to replace the N95
New Research for N95 MaskRead More
adminAugust 21, 2020