Connecting with Patients during #COVID19
We all know we have too much time on our hands right now. We’re missing work, our kid’s homeschool work is a bit overwhelming, and we are inside out houses all day. With that, we have the thoughts of what our offices and schedules will look like after being able to leave this social distancing phase. But, this could be a positive time as well! What’s one thing your office has wanted to do but seems to never have the time? Most people will answer starting their social media channels for their practice and creating content for them. This is a perfect time to take over the creation, do something creative, and help your patients from a distance.
Now that you’ve decided to start working on your office’s social media, what do you post? We’ve compiled a few content ideas for you to take a run with right now to upload now, but create and save for the entire year.
Create a short video for Instagram or Facebook about #DentalER. Encourage your patients to reach out to you if they have a dental emergency instead of the ER to relieve some stress from the already busy hospital, and that you’re open and ready to help whenever needed. Check out our example:
Create videos answering patient’s most asked questions. You know the ones that get asked every hour when we’re working- what’s the best toothbrush or toothpaste, how should I whiten my teeth, why is this tooth sensitive to cold, etc. Each commonly asked question could be its own video for your social media accounts. Wear your scrubs, make sure your light is good, and film with your iPhone. Keep it short and casual so patients can relate with you. The last thing people want right now is scary information, negative information, or stuffiness.
Write a few blog posts about similar topics. If you don’t feel comfortable being on film (which you shouldn’t-you’re a babe!), you could write some blog posts for your office website to use throughout the year. Make sure they are at least 500 words and the main point of your article is in the header on your website.
Take some photos of your office. Since no one is in there right now during the day, go take a bunch of pictures of your space. Download a light and bright filter for them, and use these photos to update your Google Profile and save them as stock photos to use throughout the entire year.
Does your office use social media to help connect with patients? What’s working and what isn’t when it comes to social media? We love the idea of connecting with patients through social media and meeting them where they currently are. We know that connecting them with positive, educational content right now definitely makes a difference in their lives and your practice.
A huge thank you to #CrestOralBPro for working with us to help our communities stay safe and healthy! #COVID19
A Response to the ADHA Call to Action
As soon as the Call to Action hit my newsfeed, I had it filled out and sent off before the comments even started streaming in. Then the comments started streaming in… and I was surprised at them. Here is why I was surprised, I sat in the room as the topic of clinical boards came up at the ADHA House of Delegates last summer. I sat and listened as both sides of the issue were presented. I watched the process of how we are represented as a profession and I felt proud. I walked away from that experience supporting the ADHA’s stance of “The American Dental Hygienists’ Association supports elimination of the patient procedure-based, single encounter clinical examination for candidates who are graduates of Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredited dental hygiene programs and who are eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.” I have worked in three different hygiene programs, all of which go above and beyond CODA requirements. This year is also the first year that I have been more involved in the self-study process, a process where schools show that they are meeting and often exceeding CODA standards to ensure competency in Dental Hygiene through the education process. Guys, it’s INTENSE. I am a proponent of licensure upon graduation of a CODA accredited program because of my experience. We have been graduating students above the competency requirements. Yes, I have had students who aren’t at the “top” of the scaling game upon graduation but, were they going to go willy nilly chopping people’s papilla off? No! Do I feel like those who have graduated were at a competency that was safe for the public?. Do I feel that clinical competency is only part of what makes a competent Dental Hygienist? Yes. Do I believe that Dental Hygiene is a profession of LIFE-LONG learning and progression? YYYYEEEEESSSSS!
With that being said, there are some legitimate concerns I have heard- not the “I had to do it, so you have to do it” outcries I have been hearing… we don’t eat our young. The concerns where programs may feel pressure to push students through to graduation without meeting competency. I am open to these discussions of how to address these concerns WITHOUT the “patient procedure-based, single encounter clinical examination” ONE day does not legitimize or decimate the MONTHS of growth and clinical competency already shown. It is important to listen to other’s concerns because it is through that dialogue that GENIUS is born and we can come up with a summative assessment that is ethical, practical and will show the competency of our professional future. This is why we need ALL voices as members of OUR Association, to listen, to understand and to grow. My colleague Chanci and I were up way too late texting about this very topic. Looking at it from differing sides of the issue.
Chanci Oyler, MEd, BSDH, RDH:
When I first heard about the idea of discontinuing the single-encounter clinical exam several years ago, I was taken aback. It was all I had ever known as a hygienist. Was it stressful and hard? Yes. But it wasn’t impossible and most everyone passes on the first try so what’s the problem with it? As the discussion continued I gained some valuable insight that eventually led me to a change of heart and it was more than just the questionable ethical implications the exam has on patients.
As a dental hygiene educator I have always strived to hold my students to a high standard. Most of them meet or exceed those standards and some fall short on occasion. I sometimes worried about some of their futures as dental hygienists. In the back of my mind I always thought, well if they graduate and pass boards then they must be good enough! So as an educator on the front lines of licensure, the thought of taking away that security blanket that was the clinical board exam was a little unsettling. At first I thought, well if they are going to nix the clinical exam then we need to adjust our CODA standards to compensate for that! I have been part of three dental hygiene programs and have associated with countless instructors at many more. We all do things so differently. Won’t CODA need to set a standard as far as showing competency goes? Or is it all ok if individual schools and instructors to create their own competencies within the CODA standard? Well guess what? That is already what is happening and has been happening for decades and everything has been ok!
In our discussion, I also brought up the point that students can pass clinic and not get a passing score on any of their Type 3 quads, and then they can just go get licensed? The horror! To which Jessica replied “is being able to scale the only thing that makes a dental hygienist competent?”. Ok, good point, I probably didn’t pass my fair share of Type 3 quads in school. Being able to scale does not a competent hygienist make (hello not wanting dental assistants to be able to scale with just on the job training), it is our in-depth education that sets us apart. Are new graduates the best they will ever be? No, not even close. We have to remember that the goal is NOT to graduate perfect dental hygienists (that’s not even possible), the goal is to graduate dental hygienists that are competent at the entry level. Now, think about that for a moment. I have told my students many times, when you are done with school your dental hygiene education is not over, not even close! We have the opportunity to learn so much more out in the real world. We should always be evaluating ourselves, our techniques, our knowledge, our patient rapport. What can we improve and how can we improve it? There shouldn’t be a dental hygienist out there that feels like the peak of their career was when they passed the clinical dental hygiene exam right? Right! So why do we put so much importance on that one-time clinical exam? Again, as an educator I have seen many students pass that I didn’t think would and many fail that I was surprised about. Did the outcome of that one exam negate everything I had seen them struggle with or accomplish as students? No. So it’s not that unrealistic to think that maybe we should stop putting so much importance on that one clinical experience and instead focus our energy on making sure that programs are graduating competent hygienists who will be able to continue assessing and improving themselves throughout their entire career!
I think the most important realization I had last night was this- the ADHA is not asking for an exception to be made for the students this year just because of everything going on right now. Students still have to successfully finish school requirements and successfully pass the NBDHE. ADHA members, your voting delegates from your local components and states, already voted to discontinue the clinical portion of the exam last year. The ADHA is just using this circumstance as a catalyst to begin this process of change. This isn’t an exception, this will be a long lasting and far reaching change that I believe will be beneficial to our beloved profession in the long run.
Do we have more questions than answers right now? Yep, and that’s ok. Will this be a learning and growing process where mistakes will probably be made? Yep, and that’s ok too. It’s going to be a process and that process is going to go a lot smoother and benefit our profession more if we are all willing to work together and support each other.
We’d love to hear YOUR thoughts on this new Call to Action effecting students right now. What do you think?
Love To The Dental Hygiene Students
We know of your struggles and want to wish you the best. We dedicate this to you.
6 Tips to Thrive as a Freelance Dental Hygienist
There are countless benefits of working as a freelance dental hygienist. When you work independently, you can set your own schedule, choose which practices you work in, decide your hourly rate and even open your own practice if you want to really progress in the industry.
Whether you’re a first-time freelance hygienist or you’ve been temping for years, walking into a new dental practice for the first time is always a little intimidating. To help you fit right in and ensure you’ll get called back, follow our six tips to thrive as a freelance dental hygienist.
1. Confirm important details in advance
The day before you’re due to arrive, contact the person who offered you the position and confirm the important details. Double check the address, starting time, working hours and hourly rate. If you don’t get these particulars settled in advance, it could lead to some confusion and unpleasantness further down the line.
2. Familiarize yourself with the equipment
When you practice at different offices, it’s almost certain you’ll be required to work with different types of equipment than you’re used to. To avoid looking unprofessional in front of patients, make sure you understand how to use all the apparatus in the room before your first appointment.
Don’t be scared to ask your coworkers how the ultrasonic scaler or x-ray software works. It’s much better to ask your coworkers for help before the day begins than taking up everyone’s time asking questions during treatment.
3. Fit in with the workflow
Take note of how the dentist treats their first few patients and try your best to mimic their treatment style. Do they have a strictly professional appearance with minimal talking using proper terminology? Or are they really friendly and make a lot of small talk using layman’s terms to make the patient feel at ease?
However the dentist acts toward their patients, it’s important you fit in well so as to not disrupt the workflow or clash.
4. Be a team player
Some of your coworkers might feel a little put out by your presence. Try and shake off any potential hostility by getting involved in the team as much as possible. At the beginning of the day, offer to help set up treatment rooms and lay out equipment used by other dental hygienists. At the end of the day, ask if anyone needs help breaking down rooms or cleaning equipment.
When your coworkers see you’re invested in the team and not just there to earn your hourly rate, they’ll be much more welcoming toward you. You’ll also greatly increase your chances of being called back if your client can see you’re willing to go that extra mile.
5. Ask for helpful feedback
When all the patients have been treated and the workstations have been cleaned, ask for feedback on how you did and ways you can improve in the future. Even if your client doesn’t have much criticism for you, most will be thrilled you’re showing an eagerness to improve and work better within their team.
If you do receive advice on things you could do to better fit in with the practice, tell the dentist that you’ll take it on board and work on it for when you return or for your next client. Try not to take any criticism personally. Constructive feedback is designed to help you progress and develop in your career.
6. Document everything
For many, the biggest downside of working as an independent contractor is taking on the responsibility of doing your own taxes. Here’s a brief overview of the paperwork you need to submit each year when working as a freelance dental hygienist. So you can file everything accurately, it’s important you keep track of:
Names of your clients and their registered businesses
Dates and hours worked
Money earned for each position
Proof of work-related expenses
If you don’t monitor this information as you go, you’ll find it almost impossible to fill out your tax forms and will land yourself in some serious trouble.
To benefit from the incredible freedom you get from working as a freelance dental hygienist, it’s important you win over your coworkers, impress your clients and do an excellent job. Follow our advice and you’ll be well on your way to filling your work schedule with exciting new opportunities.
-Special thanks to Clouddentistry.com for the provided post!
Reducing Aerosols Through Evacuation System Maintenance
AEROSOLS, that is an important word lately. How do we reduce aerosols? The answer to that questions is, having a properly working suctioning unit. To keep those suction lines working TOP notch we need to be flushing the dental unit lines daily.
We NEED top notch evacuation systems to reduce airborne diseases and maintenance of that system is key.
In our latest video we talk all about how a usual bucket to solution technique only cleans the bottom half of your evacuation lines, due to gravity. To clean the entire 360 circumference of the lines use the Biotrol EZ 1-2-3TM Atomizer with VACUSOL Neutral or NeutraVAC® Evacuation system cleaners. The system dislodges and removes blood, saliva, amalgam, fluoride gel debris and is an anti-corrosive, non-acidic, non-foaming formula protects pump parts.
The Future of Our Profession
Being one who recently got laid-off (hopefully temporarily) from their clinical job due to the COVID-19 pandemic has me thinking about the future of my profession. When I graduated dental hygiene school in 2008, the economy was right in the middle of the housing crisis. At the time I honestly didn’t even give the economy a thought. I was young and hopeful. I worked hard to make myself marketable and found 3 different jobs to fill my schedule from M-F. This current situation is a little different than way back when.
As I sit at home now reading all about this pandemic, a few things stand out to me about the future of my profession.
1. We will go back to work. We will however, economically be in a situation where some patients have lost jobs and insurance plans, and won't be able to afford treatment. Is there still a way to take care of these patients during this crisis?
2. While back at work we will once again fill our schedules but COVID-19 will NOT be gone. It will never fully go away. The hope is that in 12-18 months a vaccine will come out to help prevent illness. I also hope that we find an antiviral for COVID-19 that is curative, and possibly prophylactic, but those things take time.
3. So after we do lower the curve and head back to work for the next 12-18 months, how do we protect ourselves and our patients? Below are a few changes that will need to be implemented. Note that I recognize that this will be ever changing as new guidelines come out.
Pre-screening over the phone about travel, and recent illness.
Taking of the temperature before the patient enters the clinic. (As COVID-19 tests become more readily available, we may need to screen patients before they even come into the building.)
Once the patient is cleared for treatment, they head right back to the operatory and skip the waiting room.
They will do a pre-procedural 1% hydrogen peroxide rinse for 60 seconds. (That’s half water half hydrogen peroxide)
We will proceed with treatment trying to reduce aerosols as much as possible. That means using high volume suction during polishing and power-driven scaler use. Consider investing a high volume suction attachment like the Nu Bird Suctioning mirror.
N-95 masks for us to use.
All proper PPE. Do you remember all the lab coats and precautions they made you take in hygiene school? There shall be no more bare arms folks. This may also include a face shield and changing your scrubs before you leave the office.
WHAT OTHER CHANGES DO YOU THINK WE WILL SEE?
Be sure to read the Clinicians Report article that discusses some things we need to be doing in office as well, such as disinfection protocols. HERE
I know that the dental bigwigs will be coming out with a great list of MUST HAVES before we can all head back to work so start preparing for more changes. Love you all and wish you the best on this unique journey. We are #dentalhygienestrong!
Online CE's to Get You Through
I’m not going to lie. This has been a tricky time for everyone! Honestly, the hardest part is staying put at home and getting a bit stir crazy. Need an idea to help pass the time, but also keep you on your hygiene game? We’ve made a list of upcoming webinars, CE courses, and online events that you can take part of from your own bed!
One of our favorite podcast “A Tale of Two Hygienists” has several podcasts that you can listen to for CE credits. Not live credits, but a great source of information.
Dimensions of Dental Hygiene is offering free infection control CEs right now. Their classes are awesome since they are all research based.
Viva Learning has 1 hour live CEs each week. I’m not going to lie- they are lots of ads during these CEs, but you can definitely pick up on some good tidbits.
Looking for some OSHA training? Hu Friedy has one coming up on March 23.
Colgate has a few scheduled coming up. Some topics covered are dental implants, treatment planning, and treating patients with autism.
Dentsply has a course about pandemics coming up on Thursday, March 26.
How Are We Talking About Toothpaste to Patients?
A few days ago (before everything stopped!), I dropped by my local pharmacy and strolled down the oral hygiene aisle. Now, being a dental hygienist, I feel like I know quite a bit about all the products that are lining the shelves. But, as I walked down, there was a customer picking up a box of toothpaste, spinning it around, putting it down, then went to the next product. Seeing her thumb through each item highlighted how confusing this aisle probably is to most patients and how we can be a source of credible information for them. It’s easy for me to rattle off oral hygiene instructions in my operatory, but putting myself in the store where the patients make the ultimate decision put everything into perspective.
So- what are we telling patients when are they in our operatory chairs? Are we creating meaningful conversations that they can take with them into the store? Are we recommending products that are easy to find and easy to remember? What are things you want to point out to patients so they can make the transition to purchase the best product for them? Here are a few things I like to chat about with patients to tailor product recommendations:
Ingredients: When talking about toothpaste, it’s all about the active ingredient. Point how important having fluoride in a paste and educate your patient to actually read the labels of brand they’re looking at. Like Crest Gum Dexofiy or Crest Gum and Sensitivity, I always recommend a stannous fluoride.
Cost: Of course, cost is a factor. You’ll need to look at the patient population you have and what they can afford at their time in life. Do you work with lots of college students, who may not have a lot of extra income and not be able to purchase an electric toothbrush, or work in a more middle class area?
Location: What stores are close to your office? Is there a big box retailer across the street that only carries a certain brand of toothpaste or toothbrush? Take a second during a lunch break and check out what products are offered at the stores close to you, so you can make practical recommendations to your patients.
We can educate all day to our patients about their needs to improve their oral health, but if we aren’t making it accessible to them, it is even that effective?
What do you do in your office to help patients improve their oral and overall health?
A huge thank you to Crest/Oral B for sponsoring this post! We have loved working with this amazing brand who focus on being #hygienistproud and supporting dental hygienist’s missions.
COVID-19 for the RDH
I’m currently quarantined.
A few days ago, I found out that a family member we had seen the week before tested positive for COVID-19. This news was a huge shock- there haven’t been many cases diagnosed in Utah, let alone America, and the thought of having it so close in the family made it unreal. With all this new, bring so many questions from me, the safety of my family and my patients, and what’s next. We had several conversations with the Utah Health Department and the CDC about what was next for us and them, and what’s best for our communities. Since I am low risk with no physical contact with the person but have been within 6 feet of them, my family and I was put on a state mandated home quarantine. So here I am, a few days in, with many questions as I watch from the outside (inside since I’m stuck in a house?) the news unfold of number updates, changes in ADA recommendations, and company closures.
Through it all, this is what I’ve learned so far:
1. We need to look out for each other. This thing is scary. It’s unknown, and we don’t know how long it’ll last or how bad it can be. Because of that, let’s be compassionate with everyone around us. We’ve had several neighbors text or reach out, but they rarely ask how we are doing or how the patient is. The questions are always “should I be worried about myself?” “You shouldn’t go into your yard” “You should get tested…” Unfortunately, we can’t really answer many of these questions, and it’s a bit overwhelming.
2. Get my finances under wrap! Since I’ll be out of work for a while with lots of questions of when offices can open again, this has really put my finances in the forefront. We’re excited to be working on some easy tips for RDH with finances. Because nothing makes you think more about them then being out of work for weeks.
3. This virus is ever changing. Each day, we are getting new updates on what to do, where to do and where not to go. And it’s overwhelming! There also is a lot of fear involved with the unknown and the changes. Take some time for self care and to make sure your mental health is doing ok.
Am I low key freaking out about being out of work for who knows how long, especially since I’m the main breadwinner in our family? YES!
Am I worried about my patients, my students, my career? YES!
Did I just stress order a comfy lounge outfit to wear the entire time I’m in lock down? YES!
There are many emotions and concerns with all the unknown that’s happening right now. However, one thing I do know is that I’m here to help if you need it. Need someone to vent to? Put on your own self isolation or a state mandated quarantine? Have a family member diagnosed? Need to vent? Have personal questions about what the CDC has been telling us? Please reach out! I’d love to chat with you and support you through this crazy time.
Let’s work together to stay safe and make the world a bit better.
How To Do Hygiene Recall Like a Pro
Most of the time there are things in every profession that you don't realize you will be doing when you chose to purse it. Recall, recare, continuing care or preventive care (whatever you want to call it) phone calls was one of those things for me. I didn't realize that hygienists need to be proficient in "telemarketing." Personally I would rather be treating patients, but that is an issue for a blog post on another day.
Most of the time there are things in every profession that you don't realize you will be doing when you chose to purse it. Recall, recare, continuing care or preventive care (whatever you want to call it) phone calls was one of those things for me. I didn't realize that hygienists need to be proficient in "telemarketing." Personally I would rather be treating patients, but that is an issue for a blog post on another day.
The skill of knowing how to make a successful recall phone call does often times come with the job description. I am not a natural on the phone and quite frankly doing recall scared me for a long time. I figured that many of our viewers were probably feeling the same stresses so I created an easy to follow phone script for you to use while doing recall. You can get the latest version in our shop HERE.
Special notes on how to use the script sheet
1. If you have to leave a message tell them that you have a question concerning their appointment. No, they don't have an appointment scheduled but you would like to schedule one. This will usually get them to call the office back thinking, what appointment did I schedule? If you leave a message only saying, " it is time for a check up, please call us back," 99% of the time you wont get a call back.
2. Don't take no for an answer. They are going to give you a reason that they don't want to schedule. My rule of thumb is to try and have a solution to the reason for them saying no. As shown on the script sheet, it will most of the time be, "I don't have time," OR, "I don't have money." Check the script sheet on how to answer these common, "no" responses.
3. Keep it positive, upbeat and try to remember that you are doing this to help keep their mouths healthy for a lifetime.
You can get the latest version of the script above in our shop HERE.