Dental Hygiene Student Podcast with The Happy Flosser RDH

This episode will review the prenatal development process of the face, palate, and tongue. It is important for the dental hygienist to understand the process, timeline, and developmental disturbances that can occur during this phase of development. As I say.... "Those who know will grow." Additional resources:  Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ ⁠⁠⁠ Specialized Course:...

Prenatal development details are important for the dental hygienist to understand. Developmental disturbances occur during prenatal development and can be seen in the clinical setting. In this episode, we will review the three periods of development and the five physiological processes involved with growth and developmental of the human body. As I say.... "Those who know will grow." Addi...

One of the biggest challenges in providing comprehensive care as a dental hygienist is TIME! It feels as though there is never enough time to do everything that is required in an appointment. Often times this feeling of being on a treadmill of patient care is the main cause of burnout, anxiety, and stress. In this episode we will discuss some of the main ways that you can take control of your appo...

One of the most important roles of the dental hygienist is patient education. If we want to see changes in the oral health status of our patients, we must understand how to instruct them on the changes that they need to make in how they care for their teeth in order to see those changes. The RDH should understand the various tooth brushing techniques including specific recommendation qualities. It...

In this episode we will discuss some of the recommended action steps that will help you to rest, recharge, reflect, and reboot to get yourself ready for your next semester. The week leading up to final exams can take a toll on our physical and mental state. It is important to recognize that we need to recover and recharge. We want to come back for the next semester ready to go. As I say.... "...

Oral pathology is the study of diseases that present in the oral cavity. It is important for the dental hygienist to be able to differentiate between abnormal and normal conditions that appear in the head, neck, and oral cavity region. There are many correlative signs and symptoms from systemic diseases that can manifest in the oral cavity. Conditions, descriptions, and signs of oral cancer and ma...

This episode will cover the components related to the occlusal assessment. Proper documentation steps for each component of the occlusal assessment process will be covered. Molar/Canine relationship, Overjet, Overbite, Midline deviations, Crossbite, marginal ridge discrepancies, and parafunctional habits are all a component of a complete occlusal evaluation. As I say.... "Those who know will...

This episode will discuss the key features specific to each tooth type. Discussion of features that will provide help for determining left from right will be reviewed, as well as clinically significant features to keep in mind when performing instrumentation in the clinical setting. As I say.... "Those who know will grow." Additional resources:  Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrd...

This episode will review the primary dentition characteristics and functional significance. Occlusal classification of the primary dentition will be discussed. Clinical considerations of character traits related to form and function will also be reviewed. As I say.... "Those who know will grow." Additional resources:  Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ ⁠⁠⁠ Specialized...

This episode will review specific dental anomalies that occur as well as some of the related causal influences. The impact, clinical presentation, and descriptive ways for the clinician to document findings when they treat patients who present in the clinical setting with these anomalies. As I say.... "Those who know will grow." Additional resources:  Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflo...

Occlusion is part of the assessment process in caring for your patients in the clinical setting. In this episode we will review Angle’s Classification of occlusion for the permanent dentition period. A review of parafunctional habits as well as contributing factors that exist between occlusion and long term dentition stability will be discussed. Implications of malocclusion will be reviewed. As cl...

This episode will cover the class traits, arch trait, and specific tooth type traits associated with the permanent mandibular molars. Emphasis will be placed on unique features that clinicians can use to identify specific tooth types in the clinical setting. We will review tooth morphology that relates to periodontal and caries risk associated with these teeth. This information should be well unde...

This episode will cover the specific class traits, arch traits, and specific tooth type traits associated with the permanent maxillary molars. Emphasis will be placed on unique features that clinicians can use to identify specific tooth types in the clinical setting. We will review specific tooth morphology that relates to periodontal and caries risk associated with these teeth. This information s...

This episode will review the basic principles, steps, and techniques associated with proper dental charting of all three dentition periods. All ECR’s (electronic charting records) are just slightly different, but the basic foundational steps and principles behind this part of assessment remains the same. The goal of dental charting is to be accurate and detailed for dental records that meet the st...

This episode will cover Oral health promotion and intervention. Oral health promotion is a process of increasing knowledge and empowering individuals and communities to increase the control they have over their own oral health. The key component to success of oral health promotion is informing and motivating members of the community to adopt healthy living habits and behaviors. Dental hygienists a...

The Extraoral and Intraoral examination is performed after you have gathered your medical history and determined that your patient is safe to treat. This episode will cover the science behind the exam, the techniques used for an effective exam, and the documentation methods used in the Extraoral and Intraoral examination process. As I say.... "Those who know will grow." Additional resour...

This episode will review the specific tooth type traits of the maxillary and mandibular premolars. Clinical significance and considerations will be reviewed as well as applied form and function. A fun poem about premolars is shared to make you smile as you learn about the premolars. As I say.... "Those who know will grow." Additional resources:  Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrd...

A complete review of the Maxillary and Mandibular premolars. Class traits will be reviewed. Major character traits and clinical application will be reviewed. Specific premolar tooth type traits will be covered in the next episode. As I say.... "Those who know will grow." Additional resources:  Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ ⁠⁠⁠ Specialized Course: How to be success...

The medical history is one of the first assessments that you learn how to do in your preclinical rotation. This episode will discuss the reason and need for the medical history, ASA classification, and effective communication strategies that help build rapport and trust with your patients. As I say.... "Those who know will grow." Additional resources:  Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyfl...

This episode will review the character traits of the specific canine tooth types. The class traits of anterior were reviewed in a previous episode. We will review specific type traits that relate to caries and periodontal risk. This information should be well understood when applying instrumentation techniques in the clinical setting. Major character traits and clinical application will be reviewe...

Early introduction of the ultrasonic can help students develop confidence in using them. In this episode we will introduce students to the design characteristics of the Standard Straight Ultrasonic tip and compare those design characteristics to the design of the periodontal probe. The probe is one of the first instruments introduced in preclinical rotation. Taking the time to relate the similar c...

The position of the clinician, the patient, and the chair are important foundational skills that need to be mastered for proper ergonomics during instrumentation in the clinical setting. Proper chair positioning provides the clinician with visibility and accessibility to all aspects of the dentin and allows for proper adaptation, visibility, and proper ergonomics. It is an important foundational s...

Learning the eruption sequence of the deciduous and permanent dentitions can be a daunting task. This episode will walk you along the process of the eruption sequence and share some of the connections that exist to help you make sense of the process and correlate the numbers as well. As I say.... "Those who know will grow." Additional resources:  Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserr...

Personal Protective equipment known as PPE is used to protect us from injury and infection in the dental setting. In this episode we will review some of the basic PPE used in the dental office with the primary focus on gowns, masks, eyewear, and gloves. We will review some of the basic guidelines for each and best practices to ensure clinical safety and patient safety. As I say.... "Those who...

This episode will cover instrument design basics. Understanding of design characteristics will make it easier for clinicians to easily select the correct instrument for the specific task. Even if a clinician is unfamiliar with a specific manufacturer, specific design features guide proper use and tasks associated with them. We will review the character traits of the handle, shank, working end, and...