Dental Hygiene Student Podcast with The Happy Flosser RDH

If your patient has a prosthetic to replace a tooth or many teeth, you need to be aware of your role in helping them care for those prosthetics. You are also responsible of helping your patient make an informed decision on what type of prosthetic will work best for them based on all of the information provided to them. In this episode, I review some of the main types of prosthetics. Additional res...

On your journey, you will learn about case studies. These are patient based questions which challenge your knowledge of patient care and clinical process. Case based questions are designed to test your knowledge of theory to practice in dental hygiene. In this episode, we will review some of the strategies to be successful in preparing for your national boards and tackling case based questions. Ad...

Community Dental Health can be a complex course to develop a deep and meaningful understanding of. This episode is designed to support your learning about how to think about a target population in order to develop a successful program or community health project. Listen in as I review the key terms and basics of target population understanding. This information will be on your board exams, so it i...

Cris Duval is a paient health advocate and wellness coach. She has decades of knowledge on how to be the very best dental hygienist you ever wish to be! She has unlocked the code to the appointment - and yes - You CAN do it all!! Cris shares so many things in this episode! Connect with Cris - cris@thelifeguardapproach.com She is also on Facebook and Instagram. Additional resources:  Study Sheets:...

You have put all of your energy and personal resources into your semester. I am sure you are feeling exhausted and completely drained. The challenges of dental hygiene school can do that - it is normal. In this episode, I share some tips on spending time over your break to recharge your body and mind so that you can hit the ground running and start your next semester ready to go. We all have the c...

Meet my friend Jonathan Jones. Jonathan is an RDH who loves to challenge himself and consider the possibilities. I met Jonathan at RDH Evolution in Denver. Jonathan shares some insight into what keeps him motivated to grow and evolve as a dental hygienist in the field. We share stories and laughs = lots of laughs. I love Jonathan's laugh. His personality is warm and inviting and his laugh makes yo...

I had a great conversation with Britt Glauz. She was a graduate of COVID and used that experience to develop an understanding of resilience and perspective. She shares about finding her voice in this profession and what it takes to stay committed to being a healthcare professional. Britt shares how surprised she was to discover how much advocacy is needed in our profession. She is hopeful about ou...

Join me in conversation with Joffree Bunleang from Hygiene Elevated , Dana Paldino from Dental Hygiene Basics Podcast , and Shelley Brown from Hygiene Edge . We had a robust conversation about our relationship with being a member of the ADHA and possible ways to advocate for additional enrollment. Each of us share in our concerns about the proposed ADA Resolutions and weigh in on the pros and cons...

Pharmacology can be challenging. The names of the drugs can be hard to learn about and differentiate. As a dental hygienist, it is important to understand how the medications your patient is taking interact with the body and how chronic diseases are managed with drugs. In this episode, we will review some of the basic pharmacology terms to help you get started on your path the developing the knowl...

If you want to change the world....start by sharing all you have learned with the younger people in your life. Guess what? They are listening! Join me in this conversation with my 12-year-old daughter Autumn. She came home from school and told me she was tasked with a project in her health class. I was thrilled to hear she decided to write a comic book on oral health. Autumn has always amazed me!...

Dr Suzie Bergman is a remarkable change agent who is working to unite each of the unique disciplines in total body care. Interdisciplinary care is an essential requirement of comprehensive care for every patient. As providers, we must break down the barriers between disciplines and unite in a shared vision for treatment. With shared knowledge and collaborative care, outcomes will improve. Join me...

As a dental Hygienist we are tasked with learning how to manage patients of all ages and with many special restrictions and needs. In this episode, we will go over some of the primary considerations when treating the pediatric patient in the clinical setting. Additional resources:  Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Specialized Course: How to be successful in Dental Hygien...

Growth happens when we keep showing up and developing a can-do mindset. One thing I have learned is that if you keep showing up and Pressing on, you develop the skills to survive and thrive in your career (and in your life). Amanda Hale is one busy girl! I am grateful for her time to share her story with all of us on how she developed the skills needed to overcome some pretty major life challenges...

I have been recording podcast episodes for over four years. I have never shared the "Why" behind why I spend the time on the podcast week after week. It is a labor of love to do it. I sometimes wonder if it is worth the effort and if students are truly benefiting from the content. The truth is, I value the information and the content. I feel as though if it helps anyone - it is worthy of my time a...

Taking radiographs is a challenging skill to learn and develop. Understanding all the complexities of what you see on those radiographs is a whole different skill to learn. Part of your journey will involve radiographic interpretation of the beautiful radiographs you take on your patient. In this episode, I will review some of the major considerations to look for when you are reviewing radiographs...

Come hang out with me and hear about the journey of a special dental hygienist. Amanda Horman was one of the attendees at RDH Evolution this year. I was blessed to have the opportunity to spend some time with her and get to know her. Amanda is truly one of a kind and has a heart for the profession of dental hygiene. I love her story and her journey on how her profession has developed. She shares s...

We all walk our own journey to reach our goals and become the best versions of ourselves. While I was at RDH Evolution, I met Maddison Dailey "Maddy". I was immediately drawn to get to know Maddy. She is a ray of sunshine. Maddy shares the many twists and turns in her journey to become a dental hygienist. I was so impressed to see how resilient she is and how she has grown through every...

The legal documentation of a patient record is essential. Many providers feel the time crunch and can get caught up on the treadmill of the appointment. Take the time to complete all the aspects of the assessment process to have an accurate record for proper diagnosis and treatment planning. You may be the dental hygienist who saves a life or two along the way. Additional resources:  Study Sheets:...

As a student enrolled in a dental hygiene program, you are exposed to all of the foundational skills you need to enter the workforce as an entry-level clinician. Once you graduate and enter the field, it takes practice to develop your clinical skills, communication skills, and patient management skills. Join me in the conversation I have with Noriana about her journey into the field of dental hygi...

There are many obstacles to obtaining quality oral health services for our underserved populations. In my community, I have seen the challenges families face trying to get into a provider. Some of the challenges are things we may overlook. In this episode, I speak with Kylie Bland, a public health dental hygienist. Kylie is what I would describe as "On the Move in Montana" who set out to...

Calculus Detection can be a super challenging skill to develop. It is much like any other detailed skill - it takes practice, persistence, and a commitment to the process. Listen to your professors when they say "roll around the line angle and lighten up your grasp." I know it can feel daunting, but these things actually work. In addition to those fundamentals, there are some othter tric...

I have covered the cranial nerves in episode #50 and #51. In this episode, I cover all of the basics of the cranial nerves as well as easy ways to remember them. It can be hard to remember the names of each of the cranial nerves and also understand if they are sensory, motor, or both. I hope that the simplicity of this episode helps you ace your exams and remember each of the cranial nerves with r...

I am as passionate about finances as I am about dental hygiene. There is nothing more rewarding for me than to see students set themselves up with an amazing future in dental hygiene. I am all about student success, and when I read Dana's article on FIRE, I knew we needed to get together and share this perspective. her article is here In this episode, I ask Dana to share her best advice on how...

I have had RDH Evolution on my bucket list ever since the very first conference four years ago. When I read the brochure, I was compelled to attend. I have always found that the most growth happens in my life when I step outside of my comfort zone and really stretch myself. This conference did not disappoint. Listen in as I share my journey and experience at the conference. I hope you put this con...

I read the book Breath by James Nestor and couldn’t help but share the insight from what I discovered in it. I would highly recommend reading it to discover how you breathe yourself. More importantly, how you can help understand how your patients breathe. Reading this book will change how you think about breathing - if you have ever thought about it before, you are ahead of me. This book really ch...