Hygienetown.com: Register and log-on today By: Theresa Jepsen, Managing Editor, Hygienetown
Kim Crawford, Managing Editor, Dentaltown

Share your experiences, challenges and great tips that have made you a better hygienist. Learn from others through this unique form of discussion and peer education.

Hygienetown.com offers interactive, real-time message boards. Message boards are similar to an online chat room, but different in that the information never disappears and you can search for past topics. The message boards are the central place where you are able to gather and talk with other hygienists and dental company representatives. It also offers classifieds, polls and discussions, CE events and links to manufacturers.

It’s a free Web site and will be a great resource to you in your career, moreover your contributions are key in making Hygienetown a success. It’s your participation on the message boards printed in Hygienetown Magazine that creates “interactive publishing.” Start speaking with other hygienists from all over the world today! The message boards are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Note: Hygienetown.com reserves the right to use any messages or information posted by you for any purpose, including but not limited to reproduction in its electronic or printed publications and you grant Hygienetown.com a nonexclusive license to use, copy, edit, modify, transmit, distribute and to create a derivative work of any such message or information. Hygienetown.com reserves the right to use, without “Personally Identifying Information”, any questions, comments, photos, or other information submitted by users in books, articles, commentaries, research or similar ways. Users may be identified by User Name and Avatar (photo).

Getting Started – Registration
1. Go online to www.hygienetown.com.
2. Click on Register on the left side.
3. Create and enter a Login Name to appear with all your postings. (No spaces allowed. Use underscore “_”as an alternative). Choose something that will be easily remembered.
4. Enter a case sensitive Password for security. Enter it again to Confirm Password. Hint: Keep a copy of it written down in case you forget it.
5. Enter your current e-mail in Email box. Your e-mail address will not appear on your posts and will not be shared with others unless you so request.
6. Answer Qualifying Question to assure only dental professionals access the site.
7. Click or not “Would you like to be on our e-mail promotion list?”
8. Read Terms and Conditions and click to accept.
9. Click to Register and you’re done. You are now an official Townie–Congratulations!

Logging In
1. From the Home Page, click on “Today’s Active Topics.”
2. Enter Login Name and Password.
3. Click on Active Topics.
4. Click on underlined topic of interest to view message board thread.
5. To view most current post scroll to the bottom of the page.

Replying to a Post
1. Click Reply button in the post you’re reading. It’s as easy as writing an e-mail.
2. Type your comments in the box. If you want, insert a Smilie face or two.
3. Click Submit.
Note: For a screen like Microsoft Word, click Use Rich Text (You’ll need Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher to view this function. Free download at www.microsoft.com).

Adding a New Topic
1. From Main or Today’s Active Topics find the category for your topic and click either an underlined topic subject or the New Topic button.
2. Enter Subject that grabs Townies’ attention.
3. If you like, click an Icon to precede your message.
4. Click in message box and type in your question or comments. To enhance your message, use Smilies.
5. Click the box for Subscribe Email for email notifications whenever anyone replies to your post.
6. Click the box for Subscribe BB (bulletin board) for a private message in your mailbox in My Profile on Hygienetown.com when someone replies to your post.
7. Click Submit and you will go back to the forum to find your post at the end of the list.

Search Function
1. Write your subject in the blank Search box at the top of the page and click Search.
2. For an advanced search, double click Search button with a blank search box.
3. Check box next to Search Type you want.
4. Type the subject you wish to search in the Search Words box.
5. Click the “Search all Forums” bar to select a Forum To Search.
6. If you know the approximate date, limit the search dates in the Posted Since box.
7. Click Search.