The Burning Question: Is Prison Dentistry for You?
By Jean Carter I still remember the day I told my employer I was leaving. Not just leaving Houston, Texas, for a rural town a hundred miles north—but leaving private practice altogether. And for what? A position in a state penitentiary. The reaction was immediate: “Oh God, why?” It
Navigating Burnout: A Comprehensive Guide for Hygienists to Recognize Signs and Find Solutions
By Danielle Avila & Laura Bettencourt Burnout is a phenomenon with many faces, touching lives in uniquely personal ways. Danielle’s own struggles with burnout began quietly in 2019—a creeping shadow she couldn’t name until it fully enveloped her in 2020. Amidst the chaos of being a mother
Bone Loss and Periodontal Disease: Root Cause, Prevention, & Clinical Indicators of Successful Treatment
By Sarah Balaster, DMD In our minds, bone loss is synonymous with periodontal disease. It has been drilled into us through multiple-choice exams in dental or dental hygiene school, repeated at conferences, reinforced through continuing education, and discussed in nearly every forum on periodontal disease. Bone loss—specifically radiographic bone
Teeth Whitening and Setting Realistic Expectations: Communication Tips and Analogies That Make Sense
By Stephanie Nightingale, RDH Whether you’re browsing the oral care aisle, scrolling through Gwyneth Paltrow’s top picks for at-home whitening treatments on Goop, or considering professional whitening with your dentist, choosing the right option can be more complex than we’d like. There’s the cost, the time
Elevating Dental Assisting: Navigating Career Opportunities in Modern Dentistry
By Rachel Sanner, RDA, SOA In today's ever-evolving dental landscape, opportunities abound for dental assistants to expand their skill sets and carve out fulfilling career paths. From traditional chairside roles to specialized orthodontic assistance and the integration of digital dentistry, the options are vast and varied. As a
Humanization in Healthcare and Dentistry: The Unpaid Debt
By Andrea Lorena Basualdo Allende, DDS Humanization in healthcare is a concept that goes beyond addressing patients’ needs from a purely technical standpoint. It also encompasses kindness within healthcare systems, collegial relationships, and the treatment healthcare workers receive from both patients and employers. Humanizing care means inclusion, solidarity, and the
You’re Worth It: Overcoming the Negotiation Gap
By Ellie Halabian, DDS Women have grown to occupy more space in the professional world, and dentistry is no exception. Today, 37.7% of working dentists in the U.S. are female (Health Policy Institute, 2024). While this may seem small, it represents a significant increase from 24.1% in
The Impact of Breathing on Face Shape: Understanding the Link and Seeking Solutions
By Hayley Zulkowsky, RDH, BSDH, CDHC Have you ever considered that the way you breathe could play a significant role in shaping your face? From the alignment of your teeth to the overall structure of your jawline, breathing habits have far-reaching consequences. In this article, we explore the intriguing connection
Buy Now, Pay Later: The Price We Pay to Become a Dental Hygienist
By Dana Paladino, BS, BSDH, MS Do you remember life before and during dental hygiene school? If you ask most dental hygienists, they will tell you those were some of the most difficult times of their lives. We all assume the golden ticket to happiness awaits us when we finally
The Future is Now: Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry
Dentistry is entering a new era, one where artificial intelligence is reshaping diagnostics, patient care, and practice efficiency. From enhancing radiographic analysis to expanding access through teledentistry and mobile care, AI offers transformative potential for both providers and patients.
Challenging the Status Quo: Serving Unmet Needs and Enhancing Dry Mouth Care
By Dr. Sarah Balaster, DMD Sponsored by Aquoral In today's dental landscape, the commodification of services has transformed care into a transactional experience, often prioritizing cost over patient-centered outcomes. This shift has depersonalized interactions with patients, eroded trust, and left many needs unmet. As dental professionals, we face