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Dental Hygiene Basics
185: Build a Dental Hygiene Career That Fits You with Irene Iskander
Season 1, Ep. 185
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Finding your dream path in dental hygiene rarely happens immediately after you graduate, but guest Irene Iskander shares how you can get there eventually. In this episode, Irene talks about how her unexpected start in dentistry, the challenges she faced in dental hygiene school, and years of exploring different practice settings ultimately led her to airway dentistry and myofunctional therapy. Dana and Irene discuss why it's normal to feel like you're memorizing just to make it through school, how lifelong learning continues well beyond graduation, and why asking yourself, "What do I want?" can shape a more fulfilling career.
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184. 184: Design Your Dream Life as a Dental Hygienist
18:08||Season 1, Ep. 184For many aspiring dental hygienists, the goal is clear: get accepted into dental hygiene school, graduate, and start your career. But what happens after that? In this episode, you'll learn why building a fulfilling career starts by thinking beyond admission and boards. Rather than designing your life around a job title, consider what you want your everyday life to look and feel like—and how dental hygiene can support that vision. Dana didn't start asking what her dream life looked like until years after graduating from DH school, and it led to years of unfulfillment. She shares the basic steps of how she designed her dream life so you can too.🟠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
183. 183: Lessons from a New Grad Dental Hygienist with Emma Yegan
28:11||Season 1, Ep. 183Recent dental hygiene graduate Emma Yegan navigated multiple application cycles to DH school before being accepted on the third try, despite earning her bachelor's in biology and having experience as a dental assistant. She shared all her best tips on improving your dental hygiene school application, overcoming challenges in clinic, and performing well didactically. Emma also shed light on paying for the many costs associated with dental hygiene school. Whether you're still applying, currently in the midst of a demanding semester, or preparing for boards, this conversation serves as a reminder that progress often comes through persistence, reflection, and a willingness to adjust your approach when needed.🟠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
182. 182: I Think I'm Hurting My Patients When I Debride! Help!
23:16||Season 1, Ep. 182If you've ever wondered whether you're being too heavy-handed during instrumentation, you're not alone. In this episode of the Dental Hygiene Basics Podcast, we break down why patient discomfort happens in the dental hygiene chair, how to recognize the origin of patients' pain, and which fundamentals have the greatest impact on patient comfort. You'll learn practical strategies for improving scaling techniques, strengthening instrument adaptation and angulation, using powered scalers properly, and communicating with patients in a way that builds trust and confidence. Whether you're in dental hygiene school, preparing for clinical boards, or beginning practice as a registered dental hygienist, this episode offers a simple reminder: when something doesn't feel right, return to your fundamentals!🟠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
181. 181: How Dental Microscopes Are Changing Patient Education with Kristen King, RDH
49:18||Season 1, Ep. 181Kristen King, RDH and founder of Dental Reveal, shares how unexpected opportunities, strong professional relationships, and a willingness to stay curious shaped her career—from clinical practice across multiple states and countries to building an educational platform that helps dental hygienists integrate oral microbiology and microscopy into patient care. She offers practical advice for the future RDH who's interested in pushing the boundaries of our profession. Whether you're a dental hygiene student or an early-career hygienist, this conversation is a reminder that your career doesn't have to follow a straight line to become meaningful, and how staying curious can take you far!🟠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
180. 180: How I Explain Periodontal Disease to My Patients
21:38||Season 1, Ep. 180Patient education is one of the most important—and often overlooked—skills developed in dental hygiene school. Dental hygienists will find themselves explaining periodontal disease, treatment recommendations, and providing informed consent in a way patients can understand multiple times a day. Dana breaks down how classroom concepts connect directly to patient care, why treatment acceptance depends on clear communication, and how practicing education conversations in clinic strengthens both your confidence and your clinical knowledge.🟠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
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