Share
Dental Hygiene Basics
172: Dental Hygiene School Loans- Know Before You Go
Season 1, Ep. 172
•
Taking out student loans is a reality for many dental hygiene students, but understanding how they work before you borrow can make a significant difference in your future financial situation. Dana is breaking down the basics of federal and private student loans, interest, repayment options, scholarships, and budgeting during dental hygiene school. You'll learn how to evaluate borrowing decisions with your future career goals in mind and why tracking your debt, building an emergency fund, and planning ahead can create more financial flexibility after graduation. If you're preparing for dental hygiene school or looking for practical student loan advice for dental hygiene students, this episode offers a grounded framework for making informed financial decisions. Also, check out my episode with Florie HERE for her wild student debt repayment story!
🟠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
đźź Struggling in school? https://dentalhygienebasics.mykajabi.com/pl/2148740487
đźź Socials: @dentalhygienebasics
đźź Scholarships: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/scholarships
đźź See all FREE upcoming student events: www.dentalhygienebasics.com/events
More episodes
View all episodes
179. 179: Building a Meaningful DH Career with Amber Lovatos, LatinaRDH
30:54||Season 1, Ep. 179Amber Lovatos shares the practical realities of her RDH origin story, from first-generation Mexican American and single teen mom to now a public health dental hygienist, public speaker, author, and engagement manager with Curaprox. Limited access to dental care shaped Amber’s understanding of oral health disparities and drove her desire to give back to her community in Houston, Texas. Amber talks about struggling to graduate high school and teaching herself algebra while being a mom to get into dental hygiene school. Her journey was not easy, yet she has fostered a thriving career in dental hygiene, inspiring others to do the same.Thank you to this episode's sponsor, Curaprox. Learn more about Curaprox and their products at curaprox.us online or @curaproxusa on 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
178. 178: What is Dentinal Hypersensitivity & How Can We Help Our Patients Manage it?
22:45||Season 1, Ep. 178Dentinal hypersensitivity affects a large portion of patients in the dental hygiene chair, and as an RDH (or future RDH!), it is our responsibility to help patients manage it. In this episode, Dana explains what dentinal hypersensitivity is, its various causes, and effective management strategies dental professionals can share with their patients. This episode is sponsored by Curaprox. Learn more about Curaprox and their products at curaprox.us online or @curaproxusa on 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
177. 177: Lessons from an RDH New Grad: Nancy Her’s Story
29:33||Season 1, Ep. 177Recent dental hygiene graduate Nancy Her shares her career path from dental assisting and a biology degree to completing an accelerated dental hygiene program and entering clinical practice as an RDH. She and Dana discuss student loans, finding patients for school, accepting constructive feedback, and building confidence during the transition from dental hygiene student to practicing hygienist. Growth often comes from staying open to learning, seeking feedback, and focusing on steady progress rather than perfection. Apply this to any part of your dental hygiene journey and you'll see how much you can improve!🟠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
176. 176: A Little Histology Breakdown for the Future RDH
14:03||Season 1, Ep. 176Histology and embryology are often among students' least favorite classes in dental hygiene school, and many struggle to recognize the relevance they have in dental hygiene. As providers who treat disease, dental hygienists must thoroughly understand the development and function of the body's tissues. Dana shares a basic explanation of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems in a practical, easy-to-follow way, helping to connect these concepts to the material in head and neck anatomy, oral pathology, pharmacology, and clinical care. Before memorizing details, make sure to focus on understanding the progression from cells to tissues to organs. That framework can make future coursework, board exam preparation, and clinical concepts much easier to understand.🟠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
175. 175: Breaking Dental Hygiene Stereotypes with the DHY Boys
22:39||Season 1, Ep. 175What does it look like to enter a profession where you don't see many people who look like you? In this episode, Dana sits down with the DHY Boys—Madhi, Javi, and Michael, three first-year dental hygiene students navigating the challenges, opportunities, and realities of hygiene school as men in a female-dominated profession. They share their experiences with managing the workload of dental hygiene school, finding their purpose, building confidence in clinic, and staying connected to the reasons they chose dental hygiene. This conversation is a great listen for anyone considering a career in dental hygiene- where there is room for everyone!🟠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
174. 174: What the Top Dental Hygiene Students Do to Succeed in Dental Hygiene School
28:07||Season 1, Ep. 174Top-performing dental hygiene students don't often get there by relying on natural intelligence- it has more to do with how they approach learning. In this episode, Dana breaks down the habits and mindset shifts commonly seen in successful dental hygiene students- from previewing material before class and using active recall to seeking feedback, setting clinical goals, and reflecting on mistakes without letting them define their progress. Whether you're struggling to keep up, questioning your abilities, or simply looking for more effective study strategies, this conversation offers practical guidance rooted in real-world experience. You'll walk away with actionable ways to improve your study habits, strengthen your clinical performance, and build the resilience needed to navigate dental hygiene school and beyond.🟠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
173. 173: How Dana Schmitt Found Her Place in Dental Hygiene
19:29||Season 1, Ep. 173Career growth in dental hygiene rarely follows a straight line. In this episode, Dana Schmitt, RDH, shares how a sociology degree, nonprofit work in Ecuador, and a later start in dental hygiene helped shape a fulfilling career where she supports dental hygiene students and educators nationwide with Cloud Dentistry. If you're a dental hygiene student or new grad wondering whether you're behind or unsure of your next step, this conversation offers a practical reminder that meaningful careers are often built one decision at a time.🟠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
171. 171: Saying Yes to Growth in Dental Hygiene with Melanie Boyd, RDH
31:43||Season 1, Ep. 171Guest Melanie Boyd, BS, RDH, and founder of New Wave Perio, discusses her journey from dental school rejection to building a successful dental hygiene business centered around periodontal endoscopy. She faced challenges in dental hygiene school, navigated self-doubt, learned to accept constructive feedback, pushed herself to explore different career opportunities with her RDH degree, and used all this experience to build her business model. This is a story that showcases how crucial it is to be comfortable being uncomfortable- because that's how greatness is achieved. 🟠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