Patient Care

Being the bearer of bad news can be an unpleasant yet necessary part of the job.

As the founder of dentalhygieneanswers.com, Kara Vavrosky has heard a lot of questions this month. Here are some more of the ones that stuck out the most to her.

Dental cleanings do more than just keep teeth and gums healthy, they can even prevent deadly diseases.

A new study from The University of Melbourne has potentially found a cure for periodontitis.

Interleukin genetics introduces the new ILUSTRA system.

We take a look at DentalEZ's recent donation to the Project Chimps organization.

What resolutions did you make in this New Year? Make sure that you include your patients' health in your to-do list!

3m hosts first annual oral health council exploring how to serve the oral care needs of underprivileged.

A new gingivitis code with help you to provide your patients with the full care they deserve.

How offering same-day dentistry can have big returns for new dentists.

Kara Vavrosky, RDH answers some of the most interesting questions hygienists had for her this month.

A summary of the effects of socioeconomic status, showing all health care professionals the daunting task they have in tackling poverty.

Letting children speak for themselves at dental appointments can help hygienists glean valuable information.

Most dental practices assess the dental history of their patients at intake. Some go a step further and take a complete medical history for each patient. However, if your practice is truly concerned with the health and wellness of your patients, you should also be conducting dental risk assessments.

Dental hygienists are often discounted in their role as healthcare professions by the public. Nor is the public aware of the schooling it takes to become a dental hygienist. Even further, many don’t understand how physically demanding dentistry is, despite the fact it looks like we are just sitting there.

Ensuring your entire team has the necessary education and training to follow and understand oral cancer detection protocols can be crucial to effective patient care.

One practitioner explains how the Restful Jaw allows him to offer more comfort and care to his patients.

As the founder of dentalhygieneanswers.com, Kara Vavrosky has heard a lot of questions this month. Here is the latest installment of some of the ones that stuck out the most to her.

The dental team is in a position to make a difference to those affected by cancer. Prehabilitation is comprehensive, anticipatory care for oral issues surrounding cancer before debilitating side effects of the disease or treatment develop.

As the founder of dentalhygieneanswers.com, Kara Vavrosky has heard a lot of questions this month. Here are some more of the ones that stuck out the most to her.

Have you ever had a tough time convincing your patient to brush and floss? After this week’s recent debacle about no flossing, I think we can all agree, improving oral hygiene is a challenge for most patients. With anti-flossing ads stringing across every media site, let’s review seven ways you can increase oral hygiene in your orthodontic patients.

In modern dental practices, a well-trained hygienist can have the greatest influence on the strength, depth and continuity of relationships with patients.

Where did doctors and team members learn to communicate? Certainly not in school! Ultimately, understanding how to effectively communicate with patients and even your team members can make or break any practice.

You walk out to the reception area to greet your next patient for their prophy. Due to your attention to detail, as the patient approaches, you notice an active herpes simplex lesion on their lip (herpes labialis). Should you treat this patient?

Kara Vavrosky shares five more interesting questions she's been asked by hygienists recently, along with her answers.

Imagine my surprise when I heard someone talking about an interdisciplinary team comprised of the receptionist, dental assistant, practice manager, dentist and dental hygienist. I suppose that’s right but a true interdisciplinary team refers to medical disciplines, like dentistry, cardiology, respiratory, chiropractor, oncology and pediatrics to name a few. That’s the best way to treat the whole patient.

April Sluiter shows how dental assistants can manage difficult patients without losing their minds.

The new Sugi Butterfly from Kettenbach LP of Huntington Beach, Calif., is a nonsterile cotton fiber and cellulose barrier that is available in two sizes-small and large.

One doctor shares her views on the importance of oral systemic health and how it effects the way she works with patients.

When you understand that there is an ethical way to set the stage for more patients to follow your treatment recommendations, you’ll not only be giving them the best possible service, but also making it a win-win scenario for you both which will build a long, lasting relationship.