Share

Dental Hygiene Basics
174: What the Top Dental Hygiene Students Do to Succeed in Dental Hygiene School
Top-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
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

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
172. 172: Dental Hygiene School Loans- Know Before You Go
24:32||Season 1, Ep. 172Taking 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
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
170. 170: How are You Getting Ready for Dental Hygiene School?
26:59||Season 1, Ep. 170Preparing to start dental hygiene school can look different for everyone. Dana is sharing how you can be ready to embark on this two year jourey by managing your finances, strengthening your study habits, building a support system, and protecting your mental and physical health. She also discusses the most common challenges students face when starting a rigorous dental hygiene program and offers realistic strategies to help you start with a stronger foundation. If you're preparing for dental hygiene school, this episode provides actionable guidance to help you enter the program with greater clarity, confidence, and support. If you're looking for more resources on preparing for dental hygiene school, sign up for the Dental Hygiene Basic Training program here: https://dentalhygienebasics.thinkific.com/courses/dental-hygiene-basic-training🟠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
169. 169: The Highs and Lows of Dental Hygiene with Tooth Fairy RDH Felicity
34:38||Season 1, Ep. 169Felicity DeLemos, aka Tooth Fairy RDH, joins the podcast to share her path from dental assisting to dental hygiene school, career burnout as a newly graduate, and eventually expanding into entrepreneurship. Felicity shares tips on setting boundaries in school with practical study strategies, time management habits, and the importance of checking in with yourself before burnout takes over. If you’ve been searching for realistic advice on dental hygiene school, RDH burnout, student loans, or career flexibility in dentistry, this episode delivers grounded insight without the pressure to have everything figured out.🟠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
168. 168: Don't Make These Personal Statement Mistakes!
22:46||Season 1, Ep. 168What makes one dental hygiene school or scholarship application stand out while another gets overlooked? In this episode, Dana shares the most common personal statement mistakes she sees after reviewing hundreds of dental hygiene school and scholarship applications. You'll learn how to move beyond generic answers, tell a story that reflects who you are, and use AI as a tool without losing your authentic voice.🟠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
167. 167: Ergonomics and More in Dental Hygiene School with Stephanie Botts, RDH
28:45||Season 1, Ep. 167Guest Stephanie Botts, RDH and certified ergonomic assessment specialist, discusses the realities of chronic pain and career longevity in dental hygiene. Stephanie shares her journey from struggling with instrumentation in dental hygiene school to becoming certified in ergonomics and helping dental professionals prevent musculoskeletal injuries before they become career-limiting. The conversation also gets into her challenges in dental hygiene school, perfectionism in clinical care, and why many hygienists normalize pain when they should be paying attention to it. 🟠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
166. 166: Professional Etiquette for the Future RDH
25:11||Season 1, Ep. 166If you’ve ever sent a quick email and immediately moved on, this episode may challenge you—in a useful way. Dana walks through how everyday communication habits, especially over email or messaging, shape your professional reputation long before you meet someone in person. For dental hygiene students and early-career clinicians, this isn’t about being overly formal—it’s about being intentional. A clear subject line, a respectful greeting, a concise question, and a simple thank you are not extra steps; they are baseline professionalism in a field where first impressions travel quickly.🟠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