Common Errors on the IA Injection
We came up with a few of the most common errors made on the IA injection. Made specifically for students in mind but will help any hygienist review their skills.
Common Errors on the PSA Injection
Taking local anesthesia boards soon? Having trouble getting your patients numb? This video can help with both!
Getting To Know Us: Shelley Brown, RDH, BSDH
It is my pleasure to introduce you to the one, the only, Shelley Brown. I have had the privilege to be Shelley’s student, colleague, co-worker, business partner and friend. Shelley’s first and foremost passion and priority is her family and she treats those in her circle of influence like her family. When I was a student, in the throws of dental hygiene stress, it was always a relief to see her walk into clinic. Shelley has been an instructor at the Utah College of Dental Hygiene for 7 years and my feelings about her as an instructor have been shared by the over 500 students she has taught. I compiled a few of my favorite comments from those students and feel that they introduce Shelley well.
“She always made me feel like I was doing ok and that I was going to make it even when I felt like I was never going to pass. She was relatable. Easy to talk to or ask questions.”
“The thing I loved most about Ms Brown was that she was REAL!”
Shelley IS “relatable,” approachable and “real” because of how she has chosen to share her life experience. There was a time where she could have gotten stuck in feeling like she was never going to pass and should just give up. Shelley applied 7 times to Hygiene programs in a 4 year span and was finally admitted to the Utah College of Dental Hygiene. She was determined to show the world that she was Hygienist material and would be the best hygienist around. Students with gratitude now exclaim that Ms. Brown “knows EVERYTHING” and “We can always ask her anything and she will always have an answer for us. There wasn't anything she didn't know, and she would teach you it in a way you would remember!”
Shelley went on to score a 100% on her clinical WREB exam and 96% on her National written exam!
“If she saw a problem she was willing to help with a solution.” Shelley saw a need to help hygienists and our conversations quickly snowballed into what is now Hygiene Edge. I am grateful to have Shelley because she has a gift to teach. “She is an extremely patient teacher. She also did so much to help build my confidence. I couldn't possibly list all the tips and tricks she gave me to make me the hygienist that I am.” With Hygiene Edge we are happy to share her with the world of hygienists.
“You could tell she honestly wanted us to succeed!” Shelley truly has the desire to see all hygienists succeed and become their best selves.
“I loved the one-on-one time. I felt like I learned so much from her.” I invite you to watch some of our youtube videos and have your own one-on-one time with Shelley and our team.
Ms Brown didn't just sit there and waited for someone to ask for her help. She always went around and help with whatever you were doing that day. You as a student don't always know when you need help. She always gave you great suggestions, wonderful tips, some shortcuts, and little tricks that made you a better clinician. She made you feel special (in a good way) hahaha
As Hygienists we often don't know when we need help, when our skills have become dull and need a little sharpening. Shelley doesn’t wait to help, click on one of our videos and sharpen your skills. You have someone in your corner, just one click away. Her name is Shelley Brown.
How To Use Endo Ice
There will come a time, or maybe it has already happened, when that emergency patient gets scheduled in your hygiene chair. It is important to become familiar with a product called Endo Ice that tests the vitality of the nerve. Check out our latest video to learn more.
Things your Patients are Talking About: Smile Direct Club
Our newest series on Hygiene Edge talks all about products, procedures, and techniques that patients are talking about and asking you for your professional advice. This week's topic- Smile Direct Club.
We all know the ins and outs of Invisalign- initial radiographs, follow up appointments, impressions, photos, post op instructions, oral health education. This list goes on and on. And because of that, it can be pricey. And as we all know, patients love the cheapest options for their oral health.
In comes Smile Direct Club- an affordable option to Invisalign. Sounds perfect, right? Though it is cheaper and sounds like the dream treatment, it definitely is not.
First, the patient never has to set foot in a dental or orthodontic office. Sounds perfect, right? This can cause MAJOR problems for the patient since they never have to have their periodontal health checked, radiographs exposed and roots evaluated, or decay treated that could worsen with any kind of orthodontic treatment. Instead of going to an office, the patient takes their own photos with their phone and take impressions with a mail in kit. They do not require a bite registration with their evaluation.
Second, it is the same price for everyone. After the impressions and photos are sent to the company, they evaluate if the patient is a candidate for their treatment for a fee of $95. If the patient does qualify for the treatment, is it a flat fee of $150, no matter how many trays they need. Also, if only the maxillary qualify, it is the same price.
Third, occlusion and TMJ issues are not included in the treatment planning. This could cause major problems down the road, and cost a lot more money to fix the problems than the original price that an orthodontist would charge.
And fourth, the company does not directly work with insurance. The patient is responsible for all the upfront costs. Then, they are are to work with their insurance for reimbursement. Since they are a few company and not a typical way for orthodontic treatment, there is no guarantee insurance companies will pay anything for the treatment.
So, if a patient brings up an "teeth straightening procedure that they saw on Pinterest", you'll hopefully know a little bit more about how to educate your patients on this new company.
What are your patients talking to you about? Let us know below!
Winner of The Double Gracey Anterior
Please send us your address to hygieneedge@gmail.com so we can send you your instrument.
Double Gracey Anterior Instrument
This Double Gracey Anterior is a game changer for hand instrumentation in the anteriors. Check out our latest video to learn how to use it. Also, win your own by sharing this video from our Facebook page.
Grandma Calls Me A "Tooth Picker"
One time when I first graduated from dental hygiene school my sweet grandma introduced me to her friends saying that I was one of those…. “tooth pickers.” Then she made little tooth picking motions with her hands, and her and her little friends laughed. It was all in jest at the time, but I feel like we get this in our profession A LOT! Oh yes, you will be called a dental hygeeeenist, be asked if you went to school for this, be told from your patient that their daughter is one of these, but they really are a dental assistant. You may hear, “Can’t you just clean my teeth? It isn’t that hard, is it?” I therefore would like to stand on my soap box for just a moment and shout out to the world just a FEW of the things I have to know/do as a dental hygienist.
The upper lip fuses at just 6 week when you are about 2-5mm in height.
There are about 500 abnormalities of the mouth and teeth that I had to memorize, recognize and know how to detect during an oral cancer screening.
There is a science to where I sit to work on you, how I hold the instruments, and the clothes I wear.
I have to know about film development and all the parts of the x-ray unit. Don’t get me started on the electron, protons, the tungsten target, or how to increase or decrease the kvp and my tube head angles to get a beautiful x-ray of your teeth.
I had to know all of the nerves, blood vessels and muscles of the face so that I can get your need numb when you have an infection in your gums that you think I created.
I risk my life every day from potentially being exposed to diseases you may transfer to me or that may be caused by the repetitive motions that I have to do while working on you.
I had to take a national written board that is 8 hours that cost around $300.
I took special courses on how to treat children and geriatric patients, along with the oral health of the community.
I have to learn how to do and read research so that I can interpret it and better treat you. The p-vales, mean, median, modes, hypothesis and summary are our friends, or our enemy such as in the latest fiasco in the flossing debate!
I took several semesters of a class we call Perio, where I learned the names of hundreds, of the millions of bacteria in your mouth. Such as: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Streptococcus mutan , Granulicatella elegans, Neisseria subflava, S. sanguinis, S. gordonii, and Rothia dentocariosa and my favorite, Adiacens actinomyces, just to name a few.
I also had to take 1-2 clinical boards where I must find a patient with heavy chunks of black calculus that will flip up into my hair and clog my suction for the 2 hour allotted time.
I will have to find about 120 of my own patients, for 3 hour appointments, to learn on including kids, adolescents, geriatric, healthy and periodontally involved patients. So that when I graduate I can do everything in a 30-60 minute appointment.
Wow, my list can go on and on. So next time you show up to get a check up and preventive cleaning from your dental hygienist, please educate yourself, be respectful, and remember that we are educated and licensed professionals. Okay, I will step down now:)
Ways To Hold The Prophy Cup
There are many ways to hold the prophy cup. Try something new and find out what works best for you.
Meals for Sustained Energy for the Dental Hygienist
We invited Lauren Fowler, RDN and creator of the popular blog Mindful Meals to write out an ideal menu for dental hygienist to keep our energy up!
The key is to having a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats in your meals for sustained energy for your body and brain throughout the day. Having fruits and veggies will also provide antioxidants and fiber.
Breakfasts:
- Eggs, veggies, avocado, and fruit - Saute some veggies like peppers, onions, or mushrooms with scrambled eggs. Top with avocado. Add a side of fruit. The protein, healthy fats, and fiber in the meal will create sustainable energy and keep you satisfied longer.
- Smoothies with protein and/or healthy fats. Having a smoothie with fruit, as well as protein and healthy fats is a great, easy and convenient breakfast or snack idea. Adding greens will also boost the fiber and antioxidant content. One of my favorites is banana, almond butter, handful of spinach, almond milk, and hemp seeds. Using ingredients like a nut butter, chia, hemp, or flaxseeds, a good quality protein powder, or unsweetened coconut products are great additions.
- Avocado on whole grain toast and a hardboiled egg. Smash avocado on 1-2 slices of toast, using the avocado as a spread.
Lunches:
- Soup or chili. These are great to cook up a big batch for the week and bring in for lunches. Some of my favorites are sweet potato black bean chili or a butternut squash coconut soup (I like to top this with pumpkin seeds).
- Salads. Having a big green salad with veggies, a protein like hardboiled eggs, chickpeas, chicken, or tofu, and a fat like a olive oil salad dressing or avocado. You could also top it with some raisins or nuts/seeds.
- Mexican Bowls. Make a bowl with brown rice or quinoa, black beans, sauteed peppers and onions, avocado, and salsa. You can make a batch of these at the beginning of the week for lunches, and vary the veggies or protein you want to add.
Snacks:
- Carrots/peppers or whole grain crackers + Hummus - I like Mary's Gone Crackers brand
- Hardboiled egg
- Piece of fruit
- Trail mix with nuts/seeds and dried fruit - Trader Joe's has bunch of them, or you can make your own.
- Smoothie
- Energy Balls (homemade) - There are a bunch of recipes here, and these are great when you're in a rush for time to pack a few of these for the day and grab one in between patients. My favorite store-bought bars are Kind and Larabars as well.
The key really comes in preparing for the week by making food ahead of time to pack for lunches and snacks, as well as making time for breakfast in the morning. Then, it's about reminding yourself that taking time for lunch or a quick snack helps re-energize you, so you have the energy to give your best to patients throughout the day too.