One of the very first skills you will learn about in your preclinical rotation as a dental hygiene student is all aspects of infection control. This topic covers the prevention of disease transmission and safety. As you begin to learn about infection control, you will soon discover that it is has evolved over time and will continue to do so during your career. It is important to understand the basics of infection control and your role as a clinician to control the spread of disease.

Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Specialized Course: How to be successful in Dental Hygiene School

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Resources: Textbook Wilkins Clinical Practice of The Dental Hygienist. 2021, (13th Ed.). Burlington, MA. Jones and Bartlett Learning.

Dental hygienists are prevention specialists who are charged with increasing knowledge and creating behavior changes with their patients. Motivational interviewing is a skill based practice proven to be effective at strengthening personal motivation to achieving goals, make changes, and develop collaborative relationships from a compassionate space. In this episode we will review some of the micro-skills of motivational interviewing and share some ways to develop the skills required to integrate MI into patient care effectively. Lisa Stockwell is an experienced trainer, educator, and coach who specializes in motivational interviewing and has graciously shared her expertise in this episode. Our profession grows exponentially when we collaborate with others. Lisa is a member of MINT and can be reached at www.lisastockwellcoaching.com.

As I say.... "Those who know will grow."

Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Specialized Course: How to be successful in Dental Hygiene School

Instagram: ⁠@the_happy_flosser⁠

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The use of Local Anesthesia can be one of the most risky treatments provided by the dental hygienist. It is important to develop a comprehensive understanding of your patients level of risk to unplanned dental issues with the use of local anesthesia. In this episode we will discuss some of the key areas to keep in mind as you perform your assessment on your patient to keep the risk level low. Study Sheets: https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ References: Textbook: Local Anesthesia for Dental Professionals. Bassett, DiMarco, and Naughton. 2009.

As I say.... "Those who know will grow."

Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Specialized Course: How to be successful in Dental Hygiene School

Instagram: ⁠@the_happy_flosser⁠

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Pain management allows us to perform dental procedures without discomfort or pain for our dental patients. But what about our fearful patients? Or patients who are anxious about the needle? In this episode, we will review some of the basics around pain and management of our patients who present with fear and anxiety in the clinical setting. There are some effective strategies that can be used to help with patient management during local anesthesia use. As a new clinician, these techniques and strategies should be pr

Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Specialized Course: How to be successful in Dental Hygiene School

Instagram: ⁠@the_happy_flosser⁠

Take a look at a recent product I have tried and recommend. ⁠⁠⁠bit.ly/thehappyflosser ⁠⁠⁠promo code: HAPPYFLOSSER  

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Resources: Textbook: Local Anesthesia for the Dental Professional. Bassett, DiMarco & Naughton. 2009.

The mere presence of pathogens is not enough to cause disease. The host plays a specific and unique role in the progression, advancement, and destruction seen in our periodontal patients. How the host responds to periodontal pathogens is one of the most significant components of the disease process. Clinicians should have an understanding of risk factors that contribute to disease progression and how the host response to the disease process should be considered when creating a care plan for patients.

As I say.... "Those who know will grow."

Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Specialized Course: How to be successful in Dental Hygiene School

Instagram: ⁠@the_happy_flosser⁠

Take a look at a recent product I have tried and recommend. ⁠⁠⁠bit.ly/thehappyflosser ⁠⁠⁠promo code: HAPPYFLOSSER  

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There are three major delivery systems in the U.S. Federal, State, and Non-Government. It is important to understand how the delivery systems impact dental care delivery in our country. Students should study the main framework of government agencies as they relate specifically to oral health delivery. Consideration should be given to the framework of these delivery systems as well as the functions of each of these delivery systems. Healthy People is an important resource for those of us who practice and design care with evidence-based research around services rendered to patient populations. This episode will cover the basic vision and framework of the Heathy People website. Students enrolled in a dental hygiene program will be required to take community dental health and develop a foundational understanding of public health. This episode covers the basics to get you started in developing an understanding of your role in the big picture of community dental health. 

As I say.... "Those who know will grow."

Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Specialized Course: How to be successful in Dental Hygiene School

Instagram: ⁠@the_happy_flosser⁠

Take a look at a recent product I have tried and recommend. ⁠⁠⁠bit.ly/thehappyflosser ⁠⁠⁠promo code: HAPPYFLOSSER  

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Dental biofilm is composed of a complex system of microbes that are found in the oral cavity. The dental hygienist performs a Carie’s risk and Periodontal risk assessment and should understand the connection of these risks to biofilm composition. It is important to understand the development process of dental biofilm and how it relates to the risk of disease development. Comprehensive understanding of dental biofilm development and composition will provide the dental hygiene student the “Why” behind all that we do to educate our patients to have good daily habits. It also helps develop an understanding of the need for use of ultrasonics, air flow, and laser technologies.

Resources used: Wilkins, Clinical Application for the dental hygieneist 13th edition

As I say.... "Those who know will grow."

Additional resources: 

Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Specialized Course: How to be successful in Dental Hygiene School

Instagram: ⁠@the_happy_flosser⁠

Take a look at a recent product I have tried and recommend. ⁠⁠⁠bit.ly/thehappyflosser ⁠⁠⁠promo code: HAPPYFLOSSER  

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One of the prerequisites for many students trying to gain acceptance into a dental hygiene program is to conduct an interview of a dental hygienist and find out more details about the profession. In this episode, I share the experience of being interviewed by a student aspiring to become a dental hygienist. This gives you a little more background about me and the profession I love. This content will help the aspiring student prepare for acceptance into the dental hygiene program.

As I say.... "Those who know will grow."

Additional resources: 

Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Specialized Course: How to be successful in Dental Hygiene School

Instagram: ⁠@the_happy_flosser⁠

Take a look at a recent product I have tried and recommend. ⁠⁠⁠bit.ly/thehappyflosser ⁠⁠⁠promo code: HAPPYFLOSSER  

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The Lymphatic system is a complex network designed to provide filtration and excretion of toxins away from and out of a region. The dental hygienist should be very familiar with normal tissue presentation, function, abnormal clinical presentations, as well as understanding disease risks associated with the lymphatic system.

As I say.... "Those who know will grow."

Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Specialized Course: How to be successful in Dental Hygiene School

Instagram: ⁠@the_happy_flosser⁠

Take a look at a recent product I have tried and recommend. ⁠⁠⁠bit.ly/thehappyflosser ⁠⁠⁠promo code: HAPPYFLOSSER  

Email Me: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Cranial nerve VII, IX, and XII are the remaining significant nerves of the head and neck that are closely related to dental hygiene. Students should develop an understanding of anatomy and function of these nerves prior to taking pain management. Clinical considerations and problems related to these nerves will also be covered.

As I say.... "Those who know will grow."

Additional resources: 

Study Sheets: ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyflosserrdh.etsy.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Specialized Course: How to be successful in Dental Hygiene School

Instagram: ⁠@the_happy_flosser⁠

Take a look at a recent product I have tried and recommend. ⁠⁠⁠bit.ly/thehappyflosser ⁠⁠⁠promo code: HAPPYFLOSSER  

Email Me: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠