2017- A Year in Review
2018! How did this happen?
I’m definitely excited for a new year, a new start, and new opportunities in dental hygiene and with Hygiene Edge! But, before we jump into this new year with two feet, let’s reflect on 2017, shall we?
Last year was definitely one of our best years at Hygiene Edge. We learned so much, grew so much, and realized that Hygiene Edge is not just a hobby, but a passion that we love. We’ve loved getting to know more amazing hygienists and chatting all things dentistry with so many like-minded individuals.
Here are some of the highlights of 2017:
1. Speaking! We were able increase our reach of dental hygiene through speaking at events all over Utah. We talked with hygienists about dental fads and myths, what we needed to know about them as professionals, and how to answer patients tough questions. We also chatted about local anesthesia, how to give local anesthesia to pedo patients, and how to numb for different dental treatments like wisdom teeth. If you’re looking for a speaker for an event, reach out to us! As much as we love the internet, we love interacting with dental hygienists face to face even more.
2. Expanding our shop. When Hygiene Edge was first started, having our own shop wasn’t even in the plans. As we’ve grown, we’ve seen a need for classic dental gifts and easy to read hand outs and cheat sheets that weren’t covered in company logos. Hopefully the (few but soon more!) products our store has helped you in your dental hygiene practice.
3. Meeting/emailing/chatting/messaging/Facetiming hygienists from all over the country. Personally connecting with hygienists, business owners, and students from all over has been amazing! We’ve learned so much from each conversation and it’s amazing to hear how Hygiene Edge has helped others.
Now, for our 2018 goals! We decided to include both a professional and personal goal this year, not only to help us keep them (gulp!) but to show that even though we love dental hygiene, we have lives too.
Hygiene Edge Goals:
1. Grow our shop. We want to include more amazing guides and products to help your practice of dental hygiene or dental hygiene school go a little bit smoother. On crazy days, even the tiniest thing helps!
2. Attend a national conference. Dental Hygiene Conferences on a national scale are definitely worth the time any money. So, we are planning our year to attend at least one to meet more amazing hygienists. Which one is your favorite?
3. Be okay with where we are. There are days when we’d wish we were bigger, we could spend more time on making videos, or have contact with more companies and most hygienists. This year we are going to be nicer on ourselves and take one day at a time. We’ve loved growing to where we are now and we definitely want to grow, but at our own pace.
Melia
Professional: Attend American Dental Hygienists’ Association Annual Session this summer. Do some simple stretches between each patient.
Personal: Adopt a baby. I’ve talked about my daughter a bit on Hygiene Edge before, but I don’t know if I mentioned I had a lot of health problems with pregnancy and she was born at 31 weeks. Because of that, we are hoping to adopt a little one to grow our family. You can learn more about it on our Instagram (@davidandmeliaadopt) or our new website that should be launching in the next little bit (www.davidandmeliaadopt.com) if you’re interested in following along and spreading the word!
Jessica
Professional: Graduate with my masters of education in under 2 years! I started this month on my master’s degree which will be amazing but a lot of work. I’m excited to see where it will take me in this profession.
Personal: Write in my journal daily. Keeping a daily record help me foster gratitude and keep perspective on what really matters.
Shelly
Professional: Make an amazing board review course. I’m lucky enough take over this year’s board review course at the school I teach at (Utah College of Dental Hygiene). Making amazing course for my students that will hopefully help hygienists all over the country is my goal.
Personal: Put down the phone and be present with my kiddies.
Candi
Professional: Start Vlogging! And do at least 10 vlogs this year.
Personal: Date my husband!
What are your goals for 2018 either professional or personal? Let us know so we can help support each other!
Great Morning Huddle Tips and Tricks
Team huddles in the morning can either make or break your clinical day. They can either be a great team and production-building tool or bore the entire office. If you have meetings or are thinking of holding them, make sure you follow these few tips to make them worth the time.
1. Have an agenda. Having an agenda will make sure the meeting flows, everything is covered, and the meeting stays on topic. Put someone in charge of creating this agenda but allow everyone to contribute to it beforehand if they have ideas on how to improve your office.
2. Discuss that day’s schedule. Discuss new patients, openings in the day where hygiene patients with needed restorative work can be scheduled, and any personal information coming up about patients, like birthdays or celebrations.
3. Review marketing techniques for the office. Talk about any current promotions your office has, what is happening on your social media, and remind everyone in the office to ask for referrals and online reviews.
4. Start and finish on time. You loose staff attention if you go over the allotted meeting time anyway. We are expected to stay on time with patients, we should hold the same standards with our personal meetings.
Does your office have regular morning huddles? What works for your office?
The Clip Mirrior By DH Essentials
The Clip Mirror is a mirror that attaches to the slow speed suction. This way you can suction and see at the same time. Check out our latest video below to see it in action.
If you want to win one for your practice, lets us know in the comments below where your favorite area is in the mouth to use indirect vision.
Things we love about it:
It was created by a fellow hygienist
It has a super clear high-quality mirror face
It snaps on quick and easy to the suction, and is sturdy
You can learn all about it from DH Essentials HERE.
Winner will be announced by January 19, 2018
BOGO on Instruments
Hey there hygiene friends. Just a reminder that today is the last day to
buy one instrument get one freeeeee.
Of the LM sharpen freeeee instruments. Check them out HERE.
Things I love about them are the wider handle, that helps relieve my carpel tunnel hand. The different colors of each instrument for easy identification, and best of all, that you don't sharpen them. YAY!!
December Favorites Round Up
Do you follow us on Pinterest?
Did you get new scrubs for the Holidays? What is your favorite brand to wear?
This cute watch is on sale! And will brighten up a slow and dark January.
This study is interesting. Did you have a hard time with dental or dental hygiene school? I definitely have flash backs of break downs. Could it be PTSD?
Looking for something to do on your days off? Why not take in a few CE's from Viva Learning.
If you're setting your goals for 2018 this week, maybe look into joining the ADHA to help the profession?
The ADA just released their 2018 brushing calendar for each month next year.
Winner!
Congrats to our winner of the two LM Sharp Diamond Instruments.
K. Hastie
Please send an email to hygieneedge@gmail.com for the details on claiming your instruments.
Congrats to our winner of the two LM Sharp Diamond Instruments.
K. Hastie
Please send an email to hygieneedge@gmail.com for the details on claiming your instruments.
You have 30 days to claim you prize.
No More Sharpening
4. ENTER TO WIN THESE
Head on over to our Facebook page and hit the "share " button.
Yay, no more sharpening!! LM Instruments has created an instrument that you don't sharpen. Now, I know you are saying... I will sharpen them anyways, but NO I am serious when I say DON'T SHARPEN these. Some of the features we like are:
1. Obviously that you DON'T sharpen them. They are sharp and they will stay sharp. So don't do it!
2. You replace them as often as you do your current instruments. For example, if you currently replace your instruments yearly then you will do the same with these. It really depends, just like your other instruments, on how often you are using them.
3. The wide silicone handle is very ergonomic! It WILL feel new at first, as these are the widest handled instruments I had ever used, but the adjustment time is short, like 1 day short.
4. ENTER TO WIN THESE
Head on over to our Facebook page and hit the "share " button.
(Winner will be announced by December 22nd.)
5. Check them out in our video below.
Hygiene Edge's Favorite Things Winner
Congratuations MacKenzie on winning our Favorite Things giveaway!
Please email us @ hygieneedge@gmail.com with your shipping information.
Dental Loupes Break Down
Do you wear loupes? Looking to purchase some for the first time or get a new pair? It can be so overwhelming to look at all the different companies. And since they are an investment, you definitely want to know what you're purchasing. Well, today you're in luck! We've collected information, from price to how to clean, from all the major loupes companies and combined them into a document for comparison. You can download it here!
What brand do you wear? How long have you had them? What do you love or don't love about them?
Dental Holiday Gift Guide 2017
Have a fun loving dentist? Why not set up a small treasure hunt around the office with a few clues. Have the last one lead to the fridge and have their favorite restaurant gift certificate or movie tickets stuck to it with these perfect dental magnents. See if they notice them!
If you have a dentist or boss that loves to camp, hike, has a boat, or their favorite holiday is the 4th of July, this is the perfect gift for them. The Yeti is definitely the coolest (no pun intended) cooler on the market. It has a higher price point, so it may be a great group gift idea.
I mean, who doesn't love Hermie? You can't go wrong with this lovable elf that just wants to be a dentist. Anyone else wonder if he actually did and if he set up shop in the North Pole? You could tie this one the outside of a basket full of Trader Joe's snacks to make the packaging a little more fun.
If you watch Shark Tank, you may have seen this pretty cool belt featured a few years ago. They are creative, they work, and since most people wear belts, they are practical which is perfect for most dentists. They have simple designs which will take the guess work of which one to pick for them. Watch for the next couple days if they wear a belt and which color, and order accordingly.
23andMe is perfect for a dentist. It is a great conversation starter for both new and established patients, it is all about science, saliva and DNA which is another interest of most dentists, and it's something new and different. How 23andMe works is the recipient sends a saliva sample to the company and the analyze the DNA for different health concerns, ancestry markers, and current wellness. It is pretty interesting to have such a personalized report from a simple saliva sample.
This is definitely a staple for a dental office staff room. Fill it with a note and your boss's favorite treats to snack on over the holiday break. Hopefully they'll keep it in the office and share with everyone!
Have a beauty loving dentist, office manager or boss? This is definitely an easy and fun way to go for a holiday gift. Each month, they are sent a new box full of different beauty items to try and experiment with. It is always a new surprise whenever a box is delivered to their home or the office. You can sign up for 3, 6 or 1 year subscriptions, depending on your budget. It's the perfect gift to remind them how amazing you are even after December has ended and the slower winter months come. It is always a great conversation starter with them each month to hear about their latest products, what they loved and what didn't work for them. They also have a men's version.
With so many holiday parties to attend during December, this sweater is perfect for any of them. They'll love this silly gift and will be able to reuse it each year.
With the lower price point, the Google Home Mini is a fun, tech gift for anyone that won't break the bank.
What are you doing this year for the holidays for your dentist or boss? Let us know below!