Blogs and Articles
by Michelle |
1/1/2021 0 Comments How technology can help patients understand their health status and buy in to the solutionWith modern advances in technology, many industries are seeing a change in how they operate. Certain concepts that many could not have fathomed in years prior are now becoming realities for medical professionals everywhere. In the case of dentistry, innovation has brought a myriad of positive changes that can help advance oral health management and the way people access dental care.
Teledentistry is one such area that has seen an increase in demand due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the technological advancements that have made it possible. Although the idea of teledentistry is not new, it can help provide contactless care in an otherwise hands-on profession. With this increased availability of technology suitable for use in dentistry comes new ways to utilize tools such as intraoral cameras and processes that can help drive the overall betterment of oral health for our patients.
0 Comments
Thoroughly and properly cleaning dental instruments and equipment is critical to patient care. Contaminated dental instruments can lead to disease in otherwise healthy individuals and leave a dental practice reeling from the aftermath.1 Prior to the use of technologically advanced cleaners, many dentists and staff had to clean their instruments by hand. This has changed with engineering controls such as the ultrasonic bath cleaner.2
The ultrasonic cleaner is without a doubt a step-up in sterilization practices and helps avoid potential cross contamination and percutaneous injuries from hand scrubbing. There is more to ultrasonic cleaning than meets the eye though; it requires more than turning the dial, listening for the vibrations, and hoping it is working. This dental team member is frustrated about her dentist-boss not taking COVID-19 seriously. She feels the team and patients are not receiving the protection they deserve because of his nonchalance. What can she do? Author - India R. Chance, BSDH, RDH Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH
10/19/2020 0 Comments Thanks to COVID-19, we are discussing the hierarchy of hazard controls for dentistryAs types of infections and risks evolve, so do the methods of containment and control. But one thing will stay the same—the hierarchy of hazard controls. Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, explains how to implement these infection controls in your practice.Dental hygienists have the opportunity to integrate oral health into overall health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, prevention of oral disease becomes even more essential in maintaining systemic health.
I was recently pondering how my podcast, A Tale of Two Hygienists, which I cohost with Andrew Johnston, became so popular. We didn’t even have a website in the first few years and neither of us have any background in marketing. I concluded that our success is due to our time spent networking and our genuine love for the profession. We truly want to shine a light on dental hygiene, help clinicians fight burnout, and disseminate information to everyone who is willing to listen and learn. Our network of people we’ve met at meetings helps us spread the word and we are so grateful to them!
As recent research shows... 8/1/2020 0 Comments Environmental disinfection is a vital step toward preventing the spread of COVID-19Dental professionals are hyper-aware of proper hand hygiene and PPE, but we should be careful not to overlook environmental disinfection processes. Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, reviews important environmental disinfection guidelines.
Bullies and victims. These two personas have been around as long as humans have existed. Usually, we think of them in the classroom or on the playground, but as the internet has evolved, bullying has become more complex. Online bullying, or cyberbullying, wreaks havoc on its victims, and it is much harder to escape when it happens in online forums attached to personal or professional social media accounts.1
With burnout rates so high among dental professionals, how can you combat professional pressure and recover from workday stress? One effective method might be easier than you think. By listening to dental podcasts, you can better manage the feelings that come from the everyday challenges of dentistry.
For dental professionals, the benefits of volunteering are tremendous. Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, shares how giving back to your community could yield personal, professional, and even financial rewards.
|