According to the Research Trisha E. O’Hehir, RDH, BS
Editorial Director, Hygienetown Magazine

Hygienetown is all about each of you, both current and future practitioners learning from each other’s experience. Being a student doesn’t end with graduation and boards; it continues through every day of your career.

In thinking through my own evolution from student to clinician, I’ve outlined seven strategies for you to reflect on as you enter, and grow in, our interesting and satisfying profession.

1. Read Perio Reports

(You knew I was going to include this one, didn’t you?) Science is essential for making good clinical decisions, but not everyone has time to read lengthy research journals the way I do. My research summaries provide you with the scientific evidence you need to support your treatment decisions. Along with the research, add in your own clinical experience and the preferences of your patients. Take full advantage of my “addiction” to research by reading this valuable information free each month in Hygienetown, formerly a $59 value.

2. It’s not just about grades

It’s really about the people you help and the health you achieve together. Sure, you have to get passing grades and also pass boards, but in the end, it’s how effective you are communicating, educating and providing dental hygiene services. Keep your eye on the outcomes and how healthy you want to get your patients. It’s possible to get “okay” grades and still excel in the profession. Keep studying. Keep learning. Keep growing.

3. Be a detective

Listen, ask questions, look for answers. Trust the facts you know. A clean tooth will not decay, nor will it have periodontal disease. Good patient care doesn’t come from memorizing facts, figures, and bacterial species. When you see bleeding and pocketing, check oral hygiene techniques and keep instrumenting. The number one reason for persistent pockets and bleeding is bacterial plaque and calculus triggering an infection. Analyze the facts and you will solve the mysteries.

4. Pack important information into sound bites for your patients

How much do you remember from long-winded lectures and articles? Probably not much. Pick out the key points and design sound bites. Try this: “Dry brush inside first;” “Start cleaning in between;” “Four eyes are better than two;” “A clean tooth will not decay.” Get the idea? You only have the patient’s attention for a few minutes, make the most of your time by deciding what information you want each patient to remember and act upon when he or she leaves your chair. The goal is to get your messages across, and repeated short, directive phrases will do it.

5. Focus on areas most at risk

Q: Where do you most often find caries and periodontal disease?

A: That’s right, between the teeth. Focus oral hygiene instructions on interproximal surfaces before you concentrate on the facial and lingual surfaces. I know you are taught to probe around the six sites on each tooth, but try this experiment just once. Probe brushing surfaces first, just facial and lingual. Then, measure flossing surfaces, mesial and distal. Be sure to tell the patient what you’re doing. “First I’m going to measure the brushing surfaces and then I’m going to measure the flossing surfaces and we’ll see if there is a difference in health. Ideally, we want no numbers deeper than three and no bleeding points.” See if there’s a difference for you in doing it this way. And be sure to have the answer ready if your patient asks, “why?”

6. Have fun––and make patient visits fun.

People remember more when they laugh. People don’t expect to have fun during a dental visit, so surprise them with fun and laughter to lighten their mood and open their minds to new information. Listening is the best way. If you can’t tell a joke to save your life, ask your patient if they’ve heard any funny jokes lately. To get the laughter started, read “Tongue ‘n Cheek” on the last page of each issue of Hygienetown.

7. Network with your colleagues

Hygienetown.com is designed for you, and you can tailor it to your needs with the questions you ask, the experiences you share, and the discussions you join. You might not have an opportunity each day to talk with another colleague or friend about patients, office issues, procedures, products, research, or instruments. Let Hygienetown.com provide that opportunity. Talk to the nearly 5,000 members of Hygienetown to find answers to your questions and share your experiences. It’s really a great place to share, learn and grow!

See you on www.hygienetown.com!