Local Anesthesia as an Antimicrobial Ally
Local anesthesia has historically been used for analgesia (pain management) but it also has other benefits in dental care, such as the ability of vasoconstrictors…
Diagnosing a Rare Intraoral Lesion
This case report details the process leading to the diagnosis of a rare intraoral lesion. Relevant clinical, radiographic, and histologic findings of this lesion are…
Visual Acuity Is Key to Successful Patient Outcomes
The profession of dental hygiene is visually demanding. During clinical patient care, a dental hygienist relies on optimal visual acuity to conduct thorough periodontal assessments,…
The Best Career Is the One You Create
Private practice is typically where most dental hygiene graduates find themselves immediately upon graduation. In my experience, most practices — both corporate and private —…
Dental Hygiene Educator Works to Ease Vermont’s Hygienist Shortage
The state of Vermont is struggling with a severe shortage of dental hygienists. Vermont has only one dental hygiene school, and one of its professors…
Study Shows Strong Correlation Between Good Oral Hygiene Habits and Quality of Life
Accessible oral healthcare in some demographics remains problematic. This is especially true of minority populations. According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, data from 22 states…
An Interdisciplinary Approach to Head and Neck Cancers
The diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) (Figure 1) can be devastating with many unknown outcomes. HNSCC is best managed with an…
The Role of Nutrition in Dental Caries
The process of dental caries begins with demineralization, which occurs when the oral cavity’s pH is decreased due to bacterial metabolism of carbohydrates.1 Salivary amylase breaks…
The Complexities of Erosive Tooth Wear
Properties of human enamel have been vastly explored from embryological, biomechanical, and functional viewpoints. Enamel, the hardest tissue in the body, is designed to withstand…