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Nov 21, 2024 | 
rdhmag.com | Barbara K. Tritz
As a child, I thought it was normal to wake up with a fuzzy feeling on my teeth, and to again feel that coating midafternoon. I brushed with the standard commercial toothpaste like I was told, and trusted that was sufficient.
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Nov 5, 2024 | 
rdhmag.com | Barbara K. Tritz
Dental professionals have praised the ability of fluoride to reduce tooth decay, but some say it’s come at a very high cost to society. Many people in government and regulatory groups have turned a blind eye to the damages fluoride has wrought to some people.
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Aug 13, 2024 | 
rdhmag.com | Barbara K. Tritz
As dental professionals, we know that with any medication you take, there are tradeoffs. All meds come with side effects. Be aware of the side effects by doing your own research, and decide with your doctor if the benefits outweigh the risks. A great example of a medication with risks that were not revealed until just a few years ago is Benadryl. I took it years ago to help me sleep better. Turns out, Benadryl is an anticholinergic drug.
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Jun 26, 2024 | 
dentalproductsreport.com | Barbara K. Tritz
If we had a nickel for every patient who sat in our dental hygiene chair and announced that they don’t floss “as often as they should” we would all have a lot of nickels. It is almost as if they are asking for forgiveness and expecting penance while confessing their dental health shortcomings. While confession is good for the soul, it is time to revisit flossing and figure out a way to make it easier and more effective, as well as rewarding and enjoyable. All from a little piece of string.
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Jun 18, 2024 | 
rdhmag.com | Barbara K. Tritz
As a member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), I've learned just how dangerous the seemingly innocuous silver (mercury) fillings can be to our bodies. They can do great damage to the body and overall health. The idea of mixing mercury with silver arrived the US in 1833. By 1850, it was banned for use by the American Society of Dental Surgeons, but a promercury group founded the American Dental Association (ADA) in 1859.
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May 16, 2024 | 
rdhmag.com | Kirsten Brancheau |Heather Fiore |Barbara K. Tritz |JoAnn R. Gurenlian |Joann Gurenlian
As I scrubbed my skillet in the kitchen sink, I suddenly felt a sharp pain followed by an itchy sensation in the palm of my hand; it almost felt like something had popped under my skin. When I looked at my palm, I noticed a strange, purplish patch where the sensation had been. It looked like blood pooling under the skin. I didn’t think I’d injured myself while doing the dishes, so I thought it might’ve been one of those random, fleeting pains I get from time to time.
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May 16, 2024 | 
rdhmag.com | Barbara K. Tritz |JoAnn R. Gurenlian |Joann Gurenlian |Sara Joyce |Susan Cotten
I took some time to research the history of smiles for May, which is National Smile Month. The power of our smiles cannot be overemphasized. They put people at ease, and smiling is one of the most important nonverbal skills people possess. I also learned that people did not smile in portraits or photos in the "olden days" because at that time, smiles were equated with madness, insanity, drunkenness, lewdness or childishness. Toothy grins were frowned upon until the beginning of the 20th century.
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May 16, 2024 | 
rdhmag.com | Heather Fiore |Barbara K. Tritz |JoAnn R. Gurenlian |Joann Gurenlian |Sara Joyce
What sets Tiffany Summerlin apart from other clinical dental hygienists? Sue Scherer of Waterpik chats with Tiffany about her military background, and her current involvement in public health. Tiffany is the May honoree of the RDH Clinical Recognition Program, sponsored by Waterpik.
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May 16, 2024 | 
rdhmag.com | Heather Fiore |Joy Raskie |Barbara K. Tritz |Valerie Dangler
In the dynamic world of dental hygiene, diode lasers have emerged as an innovative way to reduce periodontal disease and improve patient outcomes with minimally invasive techniques. They also provide an opportunity for hygienists to excel clinically and financially. By leveraging the financial benefits of diode laser technology, hygienists can combat burnout, find greater job satisfaction, and deliver exceptional patient care.
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Mar 28, 2024 | 
rdhmag.com | Olivia Bodunde |Anne Rice |Barbara K. Tritz
If your career can use a little boost, or even a big change, RDH Evolution is the place to start. This intimate conference that precedes RDH Under One Roof on July 15-17 brings dental hygienists together in an open-minded atmosphere. Ask questions. Speak your mind. Be vulnerable. RDH Evolution encourages interaction throughout the entire conference. Now in its fourth year, it's helped launch careers in new directions, and has enlivened the careers of those who were simply looking for a refresh.
