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1 week ago | 
dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com | Kristen Pratt Machado
Nearly half of all American adults have some sort of periodontal disease. Dental hygienists are on the frontlines of the fight against periodontal diseases and effective instrumentation is the key to improved patient outcomes. At the Dimensions’ Discovery EXPO, Anna M. Pattison, RDH, MS, a world -renowned expert on periodontal instrumentation, will share her expertise on improving the success of nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Join us on August 22-23, 2025, in Anaheim, California.
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2 weeks ago | 
dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com | Kristen Pratt Machado
A growing Change.org petition is calling on Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to rescind SB1124 — a controversial new law that allows oral preventive assistants (OPAs) to perform dental cleanings after only 120 hours of training. In contrast, licensed dental hygienists complete nearly 3,000 hours of education through Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited programs.
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2 weeks ago | 
decisionsindentistry.com | Kristen Pratt Machado
Share In a significant shift for dental care delivery, Utah has enacted new legislation that expands the scope of practice for dental hygienists and dental assistants. Under the newly passed Dental Practice Amendments — sponsored by Rep. Ariel Defay and Sen. Michael K.
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2 weeks ago | 
dental.einnews.com | Kristen Pratt Machado
zlikovec / iStock / Getty Images Plus Share In a significant shift for dental care delivery, Utah has enacted new legislation that expands the scope of practice for dental hygienists and dental assistants. Under the newly passed Dental Practice Amendments — sponsored by Rep. Ariel Defay and Sen. Michael K. McKell — these licensed and supervised professionals may now perform certain “expanded functions,” including the placement of dental restorations. The law amends multiple provisions in the...
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2 weeks ago | 
decisionsindentistry.com | Kristen Pratt Machado
Share In a move shaking the dental and public health communities, United States Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans to halt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s longstanding recommendation to fluoridate public water systems.
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2 weeks ago | 
decisionsindentistry.com | Kristen Pratt Machado
Share On April 1, 2025, several sources reported that the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dismantled the 40-person staff of the Division of Oral Health as part of a sweeping federal health agency restructuring.
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2 weeks ago | 
decisionsindentistry.com | Kristen Pratt Machado
Share Pregnancy is a time of profound physiological change, and according to new research, it also brings a significantly higher risk of tooth decay. The study found that pregnant women are nearly twice as likely to develop caries compared to nonpregnant women, with hormonal shifts playing a crucial role in altering oral health.
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2 weeks ago | 
dental.einnews.com | Kristen Pratt Machado
eclipse_images / E+ Share Pregnancy is a time of profound physiological change, and according to new research, it also brings a significantly higher risk of tooth decay. The study found that pregnant women are nearly twice as likely to develop caries compared to nonpregnant women, with hormonal shifts playing a crucial role in altering oral health. One of the most striking findings is that up to 87.2% of pregnant women experience dental caries, with those living below the federal poverty...
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3 weeks ago | 
decisionsindentistry.com | Kristen Pratt Machado
Share A new Arizona law, signed by Governor Katie Hobbs, is raising concerns among dental professionals and patients alike. The legislation permits dental assistants, now designated as oral preventive assistants (OPAs), to perform prophylaxes—tasks traditionally handled by licensed dental hygienists.
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3 weeks ago | 
dental.einnews.com | Kristen Pratt Machado
Drazen Zigic / iStock / Getty Images Plus Share A new Arizona law, signed by Governor Katie Hobbs, is raising concerns among dental professionals and patients alike. The legislation permits dental assistants, now designated as oral preventive assistants (OPAs), to perform prophylaxes—tasks traditionally handled by licensed dental hygienists. Proponents argue this change will improve access to care, particularly in underserved areas, but opponents, including the American Dental Hygienists’...
