Hygiene Department Visit: Passion for Perio Benjamin Lund, Editor, Hygienetown Magazine


by Benjamin Lund
Editor, Hygienetown Magazine

Welcome to the second installment of Hygiene Department Visit, where we visit Townies in their practices and profile their equipment, procedures and hygiene philosophies. If you would like to participate or nominate a colleague, please e-mail ben@hygienetown.com.

This month, we visited Judy Carroll, RDH, in the Port Angeles, Washington, practice where she works. Judy discusses her initial interest in dental hygiene, her passion for perioscopy and Regenerative Periodontal Endoscopy, and her periodontal/patient treatment philosophy.
Name: Judy Carroll, RDH

Townie name: periopeak

Graduate from: Shoreline Community College

Year graduated: 1990

Dentist/Employer: Dr. Todd Irwin / Irwin Dental Center

Practice Location: Port Angeles, WA

Number of hygiene ops: 5

Hygiene Highlights

Equipment
· Canon 20D pro digital camera
· Dentsply Cavitron
· DV2 endoscope
· Eaglesoft software
· IO camera
· Laptop and desktop computers
· Orascoptic 2.5X loupes
· Satelec Piezo

Technology
· American Eagle AE100
  30K inserts
· American Eagle scalers,
  peizo tips, and probes
· Dentsply Slimline 30K
  cavitron inserts

Supplies
· CHX
· CloSYS
· Flouridex
· Microflex comfort grip gloves
· MicroTouch Nitrile gloves
· Non-woven 2x2's
· Oral-B Minute Foam
· Patterson brand 30 gauge short
  and 27 gauge long needles
· Patterson pd care wipes
· Patterson saliva ejectors and
  disposable syringes
· Premier Pro enamel prophy paste
· 4% Septocaine
· Young disposable prophy angles

Medications
· SDD (generic 20mg doxycycline)

Oral Hygiene Products
· BridgeAids
· Glide Floss
· GUM toothbrushes
  and proxybrushes
· J&J Floss
· Oral-B manual toothbrushes
· Oral-B proxybrushes and handles
· Oral-B Sonic Complete
· Satin floss
· Stimudents

Radiography Products
· Schick digital

Photography Equipment
· 100mm macro lens with ring flash
· Canon EOS 20D 8.2 megapixel professional digital camera

Click Here to view Judy's Top 5

Why did you choose hygiene as a career?
My older sister was in dental school at the University of Southern California and she strongly encouraged me to pursue dental hygiene after seeing the program there. I was taking courses at the University of Washington for physical therapy at the time but I decided to change my course after doing some research about the dental hygiene profession. I think the pay and hours were the most attractive selling points for me.

Describe your current work as a dental hygienist.
I focus almost entirely on clinical perio. I provide Regenerative Periodontal Endoscopy (RPE), perioscopy, digital photography, digital X-rays, periodontal maintenance, reevaluations, consultations and comprehensive treatment planning. I provide non-surgical approach treatment for patients from all over the world. I am also involved in lecturing, consulting, and teaching privately.

What appealed to you about the current practice in which you work?
The energy, passion, and obvious pursuit of excellence of Dr. Todd Irwin was what initially attracted me to this practice; as well as the beautiful facility he had worked so hard to create. In addition, the people Dr. Irwin surrounds himself with are top-notch professionals. It’s an exceptional and fun work environment. In short, Irwin Dental Center rocks!

Why did you begin using perioscopy?
I was frustrated for years in clinical dental hygiene. I shared time in general practice and periodontal specialty practice and I was never satisfied with any of the current techniques available for definitive periodontal therapy. I attended all the latest courses in lasers, chemotherapeutics, advanced root instrumentation, etc., but it all seemed like a lesson in futility as I watched many patients lose their battle with periodontal disease. Just as I was thinking of leaving the profession, the periodontist I worked with provided me with a DV1 endoscope. Finally, I felt empowered as a hygienist to provide much more definitive care and achieve excellent clinical results routinely. I ran with the dental endoscope technology and I haven’t looked back.

Judy's regular tray set up.

Judy's periodontal tray set up.

What is your experience using perioscopy?
I feel like I am making a real difference in patient care. I have learned more than I ever imagined possible by using a dental endoscope daily. My clinical skills have become second nature in perio, even with the most advanced cases. In addition, I am able to diagnose all conditions much earlier. Dental endoscopy has forever changed me as a clinician.

What is your favorite dental hygiene procedure?
That’s easy! RPE and reevaluating these cases. Fun, fun, fun!

What is your periodontal treatment philosophy?
I treat every perio patient as I would want to be treated. I listen and I don’t blame or shame. I find and treat the etiology of perio as definitively as I can. The majority of my philosophy revolves around treating host response with SDD (sub-antimicrobial dose doxycycline), and providing definitive treatment with dental endoscopy; and if necessary, promoting regeneration with regenerative proteins. I am neurotic about excellent long term clinical results. Years of using everything available has brought me to my current protocol.


From left: Hygienists Judy Carroll, Kate Dean, Pam Ready and Tara Morgan. Not pictured are Nicole Heckenliable and Brent Powell.
How do you explain your treatment to patients?
I first discuss the host response to bacteria and how periodontal breakdown occurs. I then explain the different options for treatment, including their limitations, benefits, risks, and fees for all available treatments, including traditional root planing, perioscopy, RPE, and periodontal surgery. Since patients enjoy having options, a high percentage of patients choose perioscopy or RPE over blind root planing and/or surgery.

What is your typical day of appointments?
I provide clinical RPE and perioscopy, periodontal maintenance, and reevaluations. I take X-rays and photographs as needed. My day also includes perio consultations.

How has Hygienetown impacted you as a dental hygienist?
Hygienetown has been a tremendous resource for me. I have learned so much there and I find the information to be on the cutting edge. I refer many hygienists to Hygienetown to learn the latest. In addition, this forum has provided a platform to share my technique with others. Hygienetown is also a great way to meet and network with many pivotal people.

Sponsors
Sally Gross, Member Services Specialist
Phone: +1-480-445-9710
Email: sally@farranmedia.com
©2025 Hygienetown, a division of Farran Media • All Rights Reserved
9633 S. 48th Street Suite 200 • Phoenix, AZ 85044 • Phone:+1-480-598-0001 • Fax:+1-480-598-3450