A New Product For You To Check Out- Smart Select Polishing Paste

Our latest video shows you how to use Smart Select Polishing Paste (by Young) that has a fine and course paste in the cup. This allows us to preform the selective polishing techniques we have all been taught about. 

Hygienist Spotlight- Krystal Frankfurt

Name: Krystal Frankfurt

From: Grew up on a dairy farm in Gibbon, MN. Lived in Australia, Germany, Nevada, and currently; Montana.

Where and when you Graduated DH School: Minnesota State University, Mankato -May 2012. Studied abroad in Australia and got to visit the “Crazy Dentist” of Australia

Favorite Part of Dental Hygiene: Knowing that I can help someone and make a difference in their life and health!

Funny story from school or practice? Oh boy, which one! I will start with the most recent. I was doing my chart notes when I noticed my patient from earlier that day was checking out at the front desk. I saw their date of birth on the top of my chart read todays date, so I exclaimed “[Patients name]! Happy 48th birthday! Hope you have a great birthday!” and their blank expression turning into a confused looked smiled back with no words exchanged. As I turned back and continued in my chart notes, I thought to myself “that’s weird they didn’t say anything, maybe I did the math wrong”. I continued writing when I realized I had someone else’s chart! It was at that point I completely turned red because I not only called my patient the wrong name/age but gave them a “happy birthday wish” that turned out to be 8 months ahead.

In the military I was instructed to called my patients by their rank and last name. I had been working for about 3 months mind you, calling them by their rank and last name. Well one day, the patient I called back started laughing. When we got to the patient room and they informed me they had to tell me something. I was shocked to find out SSG wasn’t pronounced S-S-G but STAFF SERGENT! (and you can imagine all the other ranks I butchered.) It all made sense why sometimes my patients were unsure when I was calling them back and received lots of smiles.

One day when I got home my husband informed me his tooth just “fell out!” I looked inside his mouth and indeed he did lose something, but rather than “his tooth”, it was a crown. Coincidently it was hailing out and we were about to get in the car to head to the dentist. I asked if he had remembered to bring his crown. He dug in his pocket grabbing his white crown to confirm he had it and then accidentally dropped it on the ground. WHILE it was hailing. We spend hours digging, sorting, and deciphering what could be a crown or hail. After hours of only finding hail, we gave up and spent a big chunk for a new crown.

Last one is the greatest memory from hygiene school. I laugh every time I tell this story! I placed fluoride varnish on my patient and told them not to eat or drink for 8 hours. Later I ran into their mom I thanked her for her son helping me out. That’s when I found out it all went well except he was starving! I had accidentally told them 8 hours instead of saying nothing hard or crunchy for 4-6 hours. At least we know the fluoride was absorbed!

Eight grade I knew I wanted to go into dental hygiene. My dad went to the dentist for routine care and they found a lump on his jaw. After referring him, he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He was able to catch it in Stage 1 and after going through chemo and radiation, he is now 13 years cancer free! That’s when I knew I wanted to pursue hygiene.

Any advice for a dental hygiene student? Stay positive and keep working! Be proud of the things you’re learning—everything you learn will help you to help others!

The Diary Of A Pregnant Hygienist- PART 2, The "Prego"genist

Do you see that picture? Yup, that is me, 8 months pregnant, the “prego”genist working with a watermelon tucked under my scrubs. At this point there IS a daily apology for my baby kicking at least one of my patients in the head.  Once showing you will probably get some funny questions. For example, one patient recently asked if I had a condition that made my stomach large or if I was pregnant. Those patients say the darndest things sometimes. 

 The extra weight you gain while pregnant brings on lots of new things you didn’t know your body could experience such as, swollen hands and feet making running around treating patients all day hard and may cause you to have to use a larger sized glove to keep those hands happy and healthy. Give yourself permission to buy the most comfortable shoes, and consider some type of compression stocking to make life a little easier as well.

You may start to notice your back hurting at some point. Some options to combat this are a seeing a chiropractor, massages, stretching, using a more ergonomic chair, purchasing a belly support band, or consider standing for portions of treatment delivery.  It will also help to keep pounding the water while working. This will make for more trips to the ladies room but will help you feel better at the end of the day.

With my first child, I worked right up to the last day. I felt good and had a flexible sub for when I was ready, which I would recommend lining up at least 2 months in advance. The more you can help the office be prepared for the transition the better off everyone will be. Each pregnancy will be different; with this child I am taking off 2 weeks early to rest and relax. Not everyone has that luxury but do what feels best for you.

You may be asking yourself, how long of a maternity leave should I take? I have seen several coworkers over the years take anywhere from 1 week to 2 months. Some are the sole providers for their family and just don’t have the luxury of weeks off of work without pay. With my first baby, I told them 6 weeks but when it came time to return I called to see if they could give me 8. I was very blessed to have that opportunity and was allowed that because I had lined up the temporary hygienists schedule first before talking with the manager about it. If I had just dumped it on her, for her to figure out all of those details, she may have not been so gracious.  

With my second child I went back very part time just two weeks later (from 2-4 hours 2 times per week.) This was because I had an awesome child care provider. For me, that made all of the difference in my comfort level in returning to work knowing my baby was properly cared for.  Stay tuned for part 3 where I talk about finding childcare and working as a now nursing mother.   SEE PART ONE, THE FIRST "TRAIL"MESTER HERE.

Advice for the Recent Dental Hygiene Graduate

Being a recent dental hygiene graduate is full of emotion. For one, relief that you made it through a really tough program! Sadness that you won't see your new best friends that you've been hanging out with every day for the last two years, and nervousness as you set out to find your perfect job. We've been compiling advice from hygienists all over the US and Canada for you recent grads! Things they wish they would've known when they graduated, how to keep hygiene instresting, and how to be dental hygiene for the long haul.

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"Try and get as much experience temping in multiple offices as possible. You're able to find out what you like and most of the time, temping can lead to a permanent job."  Courtney Calder

"Be confident, especially in your knowledge and skills. However, you must still be teachable and know that you are still going to learn something new every day." Mandy Faucette, graduated in 2012

"The advice I would get be after 30+years is to get to know your patients. Build a relationship. You'll help them want to improve their oral health and do what you ask when they know you care. It's simple. But very powerful."  Karen Alston

"I would say my best advice is to value your education and be willing to continue learning. I think we are very well educated and that sometimes we are discredited, by dentists, our patients who think we're the same as assistants, and even each other when people go to different schools. But we are very knowledgeable and have all the knowledge and skills that we need to provide excellent patient care. We need to be confident about that. But at the same time, we also need to be willing to learn from our peers and search out the latest information that is continually being released so we can make sure we are providing the best patient care."  Chanci Oyler, graduated in 2008

"You have a professional degree, but your learning doesn't stop now. Take the time to develop yourself personally, gain emotional intelligence, and have courage. Your courage will help you as you evolve professionally but it will also help you uphold your integrity and your dental hygiene oath. Remember the galaxy is your limit!" Jazmin Haley

"When you first graduate, trying to find the perfect job can be tough. Take your time and do a lot of temping to see what you like in an office, what you don't, and to be exposed to many different software systems, instruments, and office dynamics. Don't stress, which I know is hard, if the perfect 5 day/week office doesn't fall into your lap right away. Just like it dental hygiene school, it all works out! Congratulations on joining an amazing profession!" Melia Lewis, graduated in 2009

"One of the most important things is to keep learning and working on developing your skills, especially in dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment planning, also clinical skills take a while before they develop fully.
Also, if you have a diploma or associates degree, get a bachelor's degree ASAP. It won't affect your income in clinical practice, but you will have more career options later on, in case you want a change from clinical practice Also, even if money is tight, get disability insurance. I worked with someone who was in a car collision soon after graduation, she could not work for six months.."   Linda Douglas

"GET A MENTOR YESTERDAY and Networking really does matter." Elicia Lucpoli

"Pay attention to the ergonomics/kinesiology experts.  Too many careers ruined by bad backs and other chronic workplace injuries in this job.  Avoid working in offices with 12 o'clock delivery." Scott Ross

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Thank you to everyone who offered advice to our recent grads!

What advice would you give yourself as a recent gradute? 

Sealant Placement

In our latest video, we should the sealant placement technique per The Clinical Practices of the Dental Hygienist, 2017.

We definitely know there are lots of other techniques out there based on materials, patients, etc. What do you do in your office? What works and what doesn't work for sealant placement? Let's talk about it! Let us know below.

Citation of video content  Wilkins, Esther Mae., Charlotte J.. Wyche, and Linda D.. Boyd. Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, 2017. Print.

Hygiene Dental Code Flow Chart

See new patients in your office?

Confused with what codes to use when?

Wondering when to use the "new" hygiene code and what to use after you've treated a patient with generalized gingivitis?

Wonder no longer! We have a Quick Code Flow Chart to print off, hang up in your cupboard, and know exactly when to bill what! Download it here!

Our Hygiene Edge Code Flow Chart is for personal dental hygiene use. Not to be sold. Thanks!

Improve Your Pediatric Appointments

It is very important to help our pediatric patients have a positive experience in our hygiene chairs. It can set the stage for compliance for their oral health for the rest of their life. There are many ways to make the appointment a positive experience; from little details such as writing their name on their patient cover to letting them pick out the flavors of the polish paste and fluoride. The tell-show-do technique for treatment is one of the most accepted behaviors. Check it out in this weeks video. 

How to Start a Caries Remineralization Program- Part 1

I remember as a new grad sitting there perplexed (sound familiar?) as a female patient with immaculate oral hygiene in the chair with a mouth full of caries.  She was understandably frustrated.  I tried remembering what I learned in hygiene school and couldn't come up with anything beyond brush-floss-rinse&repeat.

I even pulled the other hygienist aside and asked her what I should do.  She said "some people just have soft teeth."  I couldn't accept this.  

I went home and read and read.  I learned about the role bacteria plays in caries. I learned about a natural sweetener found in fruits, vegetables and even you body makes it- it's called xylitol.  There are over 2000 studies done and it decreases caries substantially. 

The office I worked at started a caries remineralization program with xylitol.  The kits flew off the shelf.  The only problem was- I was the only person (at the beginning) that could confidently discuss xylitol.  I want you to be able to confidently share this product with your patients.

Here is a video I made with ABC 4 in Utah discussing Xylitol.  

Coming up soon:

Part 1:  What is xylitol
Part 2:  How to explain xylitol to patients
Part 3: How to get xylitol in your office

5 Tips for a Smooth Pedo Appointment

We have all had those days. Lots of pedo patients scheduled with definitely not enough time to see them all. Then, if they are nervous, it can take even longer and be a little overwhelming as a clinician. This video gives 5 easy and quick tips to help make your pedo appointments run just a little bit smoother, and hopefully help you keep on schedule!

Happy National Children's Dental Health Month!

Happy Love Day!

Happy Valentine's Day from us at Hygiene Edge! We love you for following our journey, asking the best questions, and for us to grow together into the dental hygienists!

Love: Melia, Shelley, Candi, and Jessica