Strategies for Remineralization
By Brigette R. Cooper, RDH, MS, Trisha Krenik-Matejcek, RDH, MS Dental professionals must understand the dynamics of caries in order to effectively educate their patients and…
Category: Dimensions Articles
Facing the Challenge
By Donna Smith, BSDH, MSEd, RDHAP Periodontal maintenance is among the most challenging tasks faced by dental hygienists. From learning to critically evaluate the periodontal…
Screening for Suicide May Save a Life
By Marlene Storz, MSDH, RDH, Eric D. Bothwell, DDS, MPH, MA, PhD Dental hygienists are equipped with the skills to identify many risk factors associated with…
The Impact of Diet and Nutrition On Oral Health
By Teresa A. Marshall, PhD, RDN/LDN Dental hygienists serve as health care educators in the dental setting. Oral hygiene instruction includes diet and nutrition counseling…
Alternative Injection Techniques
By Kathryn Bell, RDH, EPDH, MS, Gail Aamodt, RDH, EPDH, MS Local anesthesia is an area of clinical practice that should be continually evaluated to ensure…
Addressing Patient Discomfort During Ultrasonic Instrumentation
By Kathleen O. Hodges, RDH, MS Ultrasonic instrumentation is an important method of debridement. Its use, however, can cause patient discomfort, especially when incorrect technique…
Reducing Muscle Workload
By Gayle B. McCombs, RDH, MS, Daniel M. Russell, PhD The high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among dental professionals is well documented.1–8 Research suggests that the…
Laser Basics
By Eric Linden, DMD, MSD The use of laser technology in dentistry has grown since it was first introduced in the 1960s. Lasers are used…
Chairside Management of Dentinal Hypersensitivity
By Harlan J. Shiau, DDS, DMSc Dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) remains a common condition affecting 10% to 30% of adults.1 The pain produced by DH can range…