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Dental Hygiene Basics
165: Approaching Hygiene School Graduation with Julianna Page
Season 1, Ep. 165
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Dana is talking with dental hygiene student Julianna Page about the realities of returning to school after working in dentistry for over 20 years and what dental hygiene school has been like for her as she nears the end of her last semester. They discuss burnout in accelerated dental hygiene programs, the stress of finding patients, balancing family life, and learning how to ask for support before reaching a breaking point. Julianna also shares how her background in oral surgery and periodontics shaped her passion for patient education, SRP, and public health dental hygiene. If you're a current or future dental hygiene student also navigating the pressure of school, boards, and the transition into clinical practice, know you are not alone, and learn the beauty of finding your outlet in this episode.
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164. 164: What I Would Have Done Differently as a Dental Hygiene Educator
19:00||Season 1, Ep. 164One of the most challenging aspects of dental hygiene education is recognizing that your instructors are still learning, too. Dana reflects on the biggest mistakes she made as a dental hygiene educator, from navigating perfectionism and rigid, militant-like academic culture to learning how to support students without losing accountability. This conversation sheds light on the pressure faculty face behind the scenes and how stronger student-faculty relationships can improve the learning environment for everyone. If you’re preparing for dental hygiene school or already in the middle of it, this episode is a reminder to pay attention not just to your study habits, but also to how you advocate for yourself, communicate with faculty, and build support systems that will carry you through the program and into practice.🟠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
163. 163: Life in Dental Hygiene School with Sarah and Julio
22:27||Season 1, Ep. 163Sarah Payne's journey to getting into dental hygiene school is truly motivating! Guest hosts Julio and current dental hygiene student Sarah offer a more accurate picture of how dental hygiene admissions actually work. From changing majors and failing prerequisites to being waitlisted, Sarah ultimately succeeded in gaining admission to a community college dental hygiene program on the first try. Her experience highlights what often gets overlooked in dental hygiene school requirements and how to get into dental hygiene school: programs consider more than grades alone. Prior dental assisting experience, persistence through setbacks, and thoughtful preparation all carry weight in your application.🟠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
162. 162: Dana's Favorite Scalers
12:17||Season 1, Ep. 162In this episode, Dana walks through her go-to dental hygiene instruments—the 204S, Barnhart 12, Montana Jack, and the essential 11/12 explorer. She reinforces a key principle for dental hygiene students and new hygienists: once you understand adaptation, angulation, and activation, you’re not memorizing instruments—you’re applying a system. If you’ve been feeling behind in instrumentation skills or unsure what to focus on, this episode brings you back to what's important. A practical takeaway: choose one instrument this week and slow down your process—focus on fulcrum stability and consistent angulation before worrying about speed or efficiency.🟠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
161. 161: AI and Dental Hygiene with Maria Jackson, RDH
24:37||Season 1, Ep. 161AI isn’t replacing dental hygienists—but it is changing how you work day to day for the better. In this episode, Dana talks with Maria Jackson, RDH and owner of Dental AI Solutions, about how tools like voice charting and automated notes are already reducing time pressure in clinical practice. Her path wasn’t straightforward, and her experience highlights a common gap: strong clinicians still need to intentionally position themselves for new opportunities. The core of dental hygiene—patient trust, education, and clinical judgment—remains unchanged. Check out Dental AI Solutions here: https://www.mariadentalai.com/🟠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
160. 160: Ignore the Haters
12:05||Season 1, Ep. 160Are you dealing with haters bringing you down in your dental hygiene journey? In this episode, Dana talks honestly about handling discouragement, comparison, and negative feedback while staying grounded in your own goals. This conversation explores imposter syndrome in dental hygiene school, why outside validation can feel so important, and how to stay connected to your “why” when self-doubt shows up. If you’re preparing for dental hygiene school, navigating toxic workplace dynamics, or learning how to trust yourself as a future dental hygienist, this episode offers a practical perspective: pay attention to the environments and people that support your growth, and don’t confuse someone else’s discomfort with your direction.🟠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
159. 159: The Importance of Your Why in Dental Hygiene School with Richard Robinson RDH
24:53||Season 1, Ep. 159Richard Robinson's RDH journey is a reminder that the path into dental hygiene doesn’t always start with a plan—it can start with exposure and a willingness to pivot. In this episode, Richard shares how he entered the dental hygiene profession later in life and built a 3.8 GPA despite undiagnosed dyslexia and test anxiety. His strong study habits, along with a great support system, and managing his dyslexia and test anxiety have led him to success. He has found ways to give back to his community by starting the Richard Robinson Scholarship, providing mentorship to students, and starting a nonprofit organization, MyWhy, that you can check out here: https://www.thatsmywhy.org/about-us🟠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
158. 158: Help! Should I Take a Job in Dental Hygiene School?
12:06||Season 1, Ep. 158Trying to decide if you should work during dental hygiene school isn’t about the job—it’s about whether your current capacity can support it. In this episode, Dana walks through a common question for dental hygiene students: should you take on a job while in dental hygiene school? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some students can balance work and school; others find that adding responsibilities compromises their ability to stay afloat academically and mentally. The more useful question is practical: do you need the job, and can your current schedule realistically support it without putting your progress at risk? Learn about a simple decision-making approach grounded in self-awareness—stepping away from outside opinions long enough to assess your own bandwidth, stress level, and priorities.🟠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
157. 157: Hacking Dental Hygiene School with Dr. Tonya Jeffries
27:42||Season 1, Ep. 157Dental hygienist, educator, and author Dr. Tonya Jeffries shares her multifaceted journey of establishing a fulfilling career in dental hygiene, including leadership, mentorship, and innovative tools that empower both students and educators. Her years of experience in education inspired her to write The Dental Hygiene Hack- a guide for students to be successful in dental hygiene school. Find her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Dental-Hygiene-Hack-Must-Have-Strategies/dp/B0FKJCC3XD🟠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