Dental Hygiene Basics

Your prerequisite courses do more than help you qualify for dental hygiene school—they build the foundation you'll rely on throughout your education and clinical career. There's a common narrative being shared that anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology, communication, and even math are "just boxes to check," but this is far from the truth. Challenge yourself to see how these subjects connect directly to patient care, critical thinking, pharmacology, periodontal disease, instrumentation, and clinical decision-making. This episode offers a practical perspective on why prerequisites matter for the future RDH and how strengthening your study skills early can make dental hygiene school more manageable.🟠Start here: Get dental hygiene school tips, free resources, and access to upcoming student events → https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/newsletter🟠 When you're ready for boards: Become a StudentRDH VIP member → https://www.studentrdh.com/national-dental-hygiene-board-review-nbdhe-studentrdh-vip-club?utm_source=Referral%60&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=DHBasics&utm_content=DVIP3🟠Want extra support + events? Get your free CloudU student membership (monthly events + giveaways) → http://clouddentistry.com/r/vxn1

Whitney DiFoggio joins Dana to share her RDH origin story, how she got into content creation in 2015, and now working on her doctorate in health science! Whitney hosts a yearly Dental Hygiene Month Party, a free virtual event celebrating the dental hygiene community through connection, games, giveaways, and the inaugural Future Hygienist Award. Her story highlights how a dental hygiene career can grow in unexpected directions while creating opportunities to educate, connect, and support the next generation of hygienists.🟠Start here: Get dental hygiene school tips, free resources, and access to upcoming student events → https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/newsletter🟠 When you're ready for boards: Become a StudentRDH VIP member → https://www.studentrdh.com/national-dental-hygiene-board-review-nbdhe-studentrdh-vip-club?utm_source=Referral%60&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=DHBasics&utm_content=DVIP3🟠Want extra support + events? Get your free CloudU student membership (monthly events + giveaways) → http://clouddentistry.com/r/vxn1

Dannia's @danniardh episode was so good, we had to share it again for those who missed this amazing conversation! She talked about her inspiring journey getting into dental hygiene school at the age of 19 as a first-gen college student. Dannia's story is one you don't want to miss! We discussed networking, the costs of hygiene school, and the continuous improvements you can make to be successful in school. Dannia's personal adversities and her determination to secure shadowing opportunities showcase her resilience. She also shares her passion for art and how she used that to make her a better applicant. Even after dental hygiene school, she is active in the profession through her work in her local dental hygiene association and giving the best DH advice on her socials!🟠Start here: Get dental hygiene school tips, free resources, and access to upcoming student events → https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/newsletter🟠 When you're ready for boards: Become a StudentRDH VIP member → https://www.studentrdh.com/national-dental-hygiene-board-review-nbdhe-studentrdh-vip-club?utm_source=Referral%60&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=DHBasics&utm_content=DVIP3🟠Want extra support + events? Get your free CloudU student membership (monthly events + giveaways) → http://clouddentistry.com/r/vxn1

Dental hygienists are responsible for scanning each patient for abnormal lesions in the mouth- known as an intraoral exam. To an untrained eye, oral lesions can look very similar, but the way to manage each is very different. In this episode, Dana explains how to distinguish herpetic lesions, aphthous ulcers, and traumatic ulcers by focusing on four practical factors: location, appearance, patient history, and clinical management. Recognizing active HSV-1 (herpes labialis) lesions is essential for patient care, infection control, and board exam success.🟠Start here: Get dental hygiene school tips, free resources, and access to upcoming student events → https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/newsletter🟠 When you're ready for boards: Become a StudentRDH VIP member → https://www.studentrdh.com/national-dental-hygiene-board-review-nbdhe-studentrdh-vip-club?utm_source=Referral%60&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=DHBasics&utm_content=DVIP3🟠Want extra support + events? Get your free CloudU student membership (monthly events + giveaways) → http://clouddentistry.com/r/vxn1

Current dental hygiene student and special guest host Michael Suruy from @DHY_Boys sits down with Liliet Quiroga @sparklingsmileslge, RDH, for a conversation about the realities of dental hygiene school and the transition into clinical practice. Liliet's inspiring story of moving to the States at 20 years old without speaking English shows that dental hygiene is a career path possible for anyone willing to put in the effort! Michael and Liliet also explore what it means to be teachable, how to separate feedback from self-worth, and why organization, rest, and choosing an office that values the standard of care matter just as much as your clinical skills.🟠Start here: Get dental hygiene school tips, free resources, and access to upcoming student events → https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/newsletter🟠 When you're ready for boards: Become a StudentRDH VIP member → https://www.studentrdh.com/national-dental-hygiene-board-review-nbdhe-studentrdh-vip-club?utm_source=Referral%60&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=DHBasics&utm_content=DVIP3🟠Want extra support + events? Get your free CloudU student membership (monthly events + giveaways) → http://clouddentistry.com/r/vxn1

Preclinic is typically the most intimidating class for dental hygiene students in their first semester, but it's also where the habits that shape your clinical career begin. In this episode, Dana talks about practical strategies to approach instrumentation, competencies, and hand skills with realistic expectations, rather than perfectionism. Whether you're struggling in preclinic, preparing for a practical exam, or trying to build confidence with instrumentation, this episode offers practical guidance to help you focus on steady improvement, strong fundamentals, and the clinical habits that will support both your patients and your long-term career as a dental hygienist. Looking for more help with instrumentation? We offer tutoring! Sign up here: https://form.jotform.com/243303954248054🟠Start here: Get dental hygiene school tips, free resources, and access to upcoming student events → https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/newsletter🟠 When you're ready for boards: Become a StudentRDH VIP member → https://www.studentrdh.com/national-dental-hygiene-board-review-nbdhe-studentrdh-vip-club?utm_source=Referral%60&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=DHBasics&utm_content=DVIP3🟠Want extra support + events? Get your free CloudU student membership (monthly events + giveaways) → http://clouddentistry.com/r/vxn1

Dana sits down with dental hygiene program director Brionna Watson @brionnawatson_, MPA, RDH, Director of the Dental Hygiene Program at the Community College of Baltimore County, to discuss what it really takes to thrive in dental hygiene school, from trusting the learning process and developing resilient study habits to understanding why true competence comes from comprehension—not memorization. They also explore career growth beyond clinical practice, the importance of mentorship, financial and lifestyle preparation for school, and how emerging innovations like virtual reality are expanding dental hygiene education. 🟠Start here: Get dental hygiene school tips, free resources, and access to upcoming student events → https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/newsletter🟠 When you're ready for boards: Become a StudentRDH VIP member → https://www.studentrdh.com/national-dental-hygiene-board-review-nbdhe-studentrdh-vip-club?utm_source=Referral%60&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=DHBasics&utm_content=DVIP3🟠Want extra support + events? Get your free CloudU student membership (monthly events + giveaways) → http://clouddentistry.com/r/vxn1

Dana's path into dental hygiene is more winding than most, with several rejections, moments of self-reflection, and unexpected turns. In this episode, Dana shares her personal journey—from college rejections, career uncertainty, and questioning whether she was pursuing the right profession, to ultimately finding her place in dental hygiene and education. Tune in for practical advice she learned along the way, including why medical terminology matters, how previous dental and medical experience can boost your success, and why protecting your mental health is just as important as preparing academically.🟠Start here: Get dental hygiene school tips, free resources, and access to upcoming student events → https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/newsletter🟠 When you're ready for boards: Become a StudentRDH VIP member → https://www.studentrdh.com/national-dental-hygiene-board-review-nbdhe-studentrdh-vip-club?utm_source=Referral%60&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=DHBasics&utm_content=DVIP3🟠Want extra support + events? Get your free CloudU student membership (monthly events + giveaways) → http://clouddentistry.com/r/vxn1

Bringing back one of our fav episodes with guest Billie Lunt in case you missed it! Dental hygiene educator and podcast host Billie shares what admissions committees are really looking for, along with practical advice for navigating the transition into dental hygiene school. Billie also shares her #RDHoriginstory and the experience that inspired her career in dentistry. This episode offers thoughtful, practical insight for any future dental hygiene student preparing for the next step, and we're happy to share it again!🟠Start here: Get dental hygiene school tips, free resources, and access to upcoming student events → https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/newsletter🟠 When you're ready for boards: Become a StudentRDH VIP member → https://www.studentrdh.com/national-dental-hygiene-board-review-nbdhe-studentrdh-vip-club?utm_source=Referral%60&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=DHBasics&utm_content=DVIP3🟠Want extra support + events? Get your free CloudU student membership (monthly events + giveaways) → http://clouddentistry.com/r/vxn1