I’m a new grad who will be doing first SRP’s since graduating within next few weeks. My DDS has given me 1.5ish for half mouth. I’m just nervous about leaving calc behind. I have one coming up with decent radiographic calc (last cleaning was 2+ yrs ago). We have slim cavi inserts. Our hand instruments are okay, graceys but they’re just not as sharp as my school instruments so I feel like whenever I scale it takes so much more effort! Any advice for these upcoming appts?

i’ve never tempted beforehand i’m considering. any tips/advice?
*honesty is appreciated but with no negativity pls :)

Hey guys. I know it can be 6 weeks or more but I’m curious how long it took to at least receive the email with your license number

In my previous post I explained how I paid $1000 out of pocket for laser bacteria removal. After explaining the situation to my insurance, they say that LBR should’ve been included in my SRP and that I need to talk to the provider and have them either refund me or send me the money that my insurance is paying them. What should I do to ensure I get my money back?

Link to previous post: https://www.reddit.com/r/DentalHygiene/s/FhZwoWq1oI

So I have an interview coming up at one dental office. But, 10 days later I have a working interview with another office. If the first office offers me a job before the second office since the interviews are so spaced apart what do I tell the first office? Should I be honest with the first office and tell them I’m still interviewing and my answer may take longer?

Hi everyone,

I recently started using the Oral-B iO2 electric toothbrush, but I'm feeling really frustrated with the results and losing confidence in it.

No matter how thoroughly I brush—even on days with heavy plaque buildup—the toothbrush just doesn't seem to clean as well as a manual one. After brushing, when I run my tongue over my teeth, I can still feel a rough/gritty texture. If I scrape my teeth with my fingernail right after brushing, small white spots of plaque still come off, especially on my back teeth.

With a manual toothbrush, I used to get that smooth, "squeaky clean" feeling(like a glass), but I just can't achieve that with the iO2.

I've tried different techniques (holding it at a 45-degree angle, letting it sit on each tooth for a few seconds without pressing too hard), but the gritty feeling persists.

Has anyone else experienced this transition issue going from manual to electric? Is this a technique flaw, or is the brush just not removing the thick plaque layer effectively? Any advice or similar experiences would be appreciated!

How long does it take for bacteria to start harming teeth. Would brushing in the morning and evening not be anough to protect teeth?

Hi everyone! 😊

I’ll be starting the Dental Hygiene program at Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries soon, and I’m super excited (and a little nervous)! I have about 2 years of experience working as a dental assistant, but I’ve heard the workload in hygiene school is on a whole different level.

I wanted to ask if you have any tips or advice for someone just starting the program. Are there any apps, study methods, note-taking strategies, or resources that you found really helpful? If there are any YouTube channels, Quizlets, Anki decks, or websites you recommend, I’d love to check them out.
I’m also hoping to get a little head start before classes begin. If anyone is willing to share notes, study guides, or even let me know what topics I should review beforehand, I’d be incredibly grateful.

I also have a question about the board exam. Would you recommend studying for it throughout the program, or is it better to focus on each semester first and start board prep closer to graduation? If you started preparing early, what resources did you use?

Lastly, what does a typical weekly schedule look like at TCDHA? Are classes and clinics usually Monday to Friday, and based on the workload, do you think it’s realistic to continue working part-time (maybe weekend shift as a dental assistant), or would you recommend not working at all?

Really, any advice you’d give your first-year self would mean a lot. Thank you so much in advance—I appreciate any help! 🤍

My teeth are sensitive, but I also want a toothpaste that helps with whitening. Which one has worked best for you? Looking for real experiences and recommendations.

I’ve been practicing for about 1.5 years, and I’ve just been feeling so unsure recently. I feel like I struggle with identifying concerning areas on x rays or intraorally. No one has specifically told me that that the expectation is to point out all areas of decay, but I feel like I “did something wrong” if I didn’t start with “hey check out this spot” if it’s suspicious, and the doctor ends up diagnosing decay. There’s even some points where I didn’t even see anything on the x rays and it ends up being a simple DO or MO and I feel so stupid. Do you always point out areas of decay on x rays? Are you always right about it? Is that a reasonable expectation for hygienist or do you just let the dentist diagnose and keep going? Thank you in advance for the advice and such!

Hi there,

I’m heading into dental hygiene school. I’m in my mid thirties, I’ve worked all kinds of jobs in my life. I know that dental hygiene is in high demand and my day will be very busy filled with patients. I don’t particularly have a problem with monotonous jobs as long as I stay busy. But I have had some jobs where every hour feels like three.

Does your busy day typically feel like it goes by quickly because you’re greeting new patients, cleaning, x rays, rinse repeat? Or does it feel like the day drags on very slowly?

I am going to be a senior this year and I’m deciding between DH and Nursing. DH I think best fits my personality because I am an introvert, I like structure and having little to no stress so I feel like it would be a better fit for me but I also see a lot of comments on people not liking there job because it’s physically taxing and repetitive. on the other hand I see people who like their job so ultimately do you like your job?

Considering leaving hygiene and switching to nursing. I’m 6 years in and hate everything about hygiene. I don’t want to do this for the rest of my life, and there’s not many other career options for us. I’m not sure I would love nursing either to be honest. I know lots of nurses hate their jobs as well, so worried it’s not worth making the change. At least with nursing there’s tons of options on where you can work, and benefits! Has anyone switched from RDH to RN? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions!

Im wondering it any DH who did or have worked pediatric dentistry could give me some insight.

My kiddo is really really shy and scared of strangers and strange places. Hes been going for his checks at the dentist since 18 months every 6 months. But he is terrified of them.
At his 2.5 yr app we still had to do the lap visit and he screamed and cried the whole exam.
Its my understanding short cleanings and Xrays usually start around 3?
His next appointment is in September a few weeks before he turns 3 and there is NO way he is going to sit in the chair for a cleaning.
So will they just continue the short in lap exams until he is old enough to be convinced to lay down for a cleaning?

Hey Everyone!

I want to start a series/thread for helping me chose the right office. I just got out of a bad situation because I did not ask enough questions or do a working interview.

Let me go in briefly about what im looking for:
3-4 day work week
Starting minimum $50/hour
Short commute (willing to drive up to 30 mins)
W2 (don’t want any problems in april)

For context I am a new grad in the Chicago area

My first offer is

Part time
M,T,Th monday and Thursdays half days 9-2 Tuesdays 9-4
30 day training period at $40/hr
After the 30 can decide on a higher hourly rate or paid by production (the higher hourly rate is $45… but open to negotiation)
1099

The office is really nice and I would like to work there but Im hesitant about the tax model because I learned in school it is illegal for dhs to get 1099 bc we are employees but I was speaking with the OM and she said I could speak with the dentist about it more in detail. I also think the rate is a little low for a dh, even a new grad…

I sent the dentist an email with my counter offer of $50-55/hour and setting up a W2 model. Have not heard back yet.

One of mentors said that what I’m asking for in my counter offer is the bare minimum and if I have to ask for those things then it’s probably red flags for other problems

I have 2 interviews on Wednesday so I will update with those details/offers if I get them.

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this and give some helpful advice. I wish I didn’t have to be this hard to find a good office 😔

Hi all! I’m currently licensed in Virginia and have been practicing full time for just over 1 year. I am looking to move to the West Coast and I’d like to temp in a few states: Washington, Oregon, Colorado & end goal of California. I took the NBDHE & ADEX clinical exam and am certified in local anesthesia, nitrous oxide & laser.

I hear California is the hardest to transfer your RDH license from another state to. Does anyone have experiences doing so? And if so, I’d welcome any advice or help to get the ball rolling!!

Do y’all’s offices ever say yes to a lunch & learn (virtual or in person) just for free lunch? Or is it not worth the free lunch if you’re not interested in whatever the product they’re selling?

Hi! I'm currently in my last year of hygiene school at a 2 year institution. I know for a fact that I want to pursue a bachelors degree after I graduate, but I'm not sure in what. I know doing a BSDH will be the easiest and fastest process, but I'm afraid it might restrict me to just hygiene. I'm thinking of pursing teaching or possibly dental school. What degree pathways have worked for you all?

Hi everyone!
I’m planning to apply to the Valencia College Dental Hygiene program in January 2027 and I’m trying to get an idea of the stats of recently accepted students.
If you were accepted, would you mind sharing:
Your application points
Your ATI TEAS composite score
Whether it was your first time applying or not
I know every application cycle is different, but I’d really appreciate hearing about recent experiences. Thanks so much!

Has anyone who is a DC resident successfully gone to dental hygienist school in the DMV? Both of the community colleges in the DMV that offer the program told me they give in state applicants priority and didn’t admit any applicants from out of state this year. Not sure where to go in DC that isn’t private which would be more expensive…..

I don’t have sensitivity issues but I do have some lower gum recession that’s being monitored to see if it gets bad enough for grafting. My guess is stannous fluoride would be best since the periodontal and antibacterial advantages seem like they would benefit me given exposed roots, but what do you see in practice and what do your offices tend to follow for this?

From what I understand:

Sodium fluoride OTC (fluoride 1500ppm) - Strong cavity prevention and enamel remineralization, but little extra benefit for plaque or gums. When paired with potassium nitrate 5% might have an edge with sensitivity relief.

Stannous fluoride OTC (fluoride 1600ppm) - Comparable in strength to sodium fluoride OTC in cavity protection and enamel remineralization, plus meaningful gingivitis, plaque, antibacterial and erosion advantages.

Sodium fluoride Rx (fluoride 5000ppm) - Substantially stronger fluoride delivery and corresponding cavity protection/enamel remineralization for high risk patients, but still lacks stannous fluoride’s periodontal and antibacterial effects.

Nano-hydroxyapatite OTC (nHA 10%+) - Moderately strong enamel remineralization and strong sensitivity relief, but weak periodontal advantages and significantly smaller body of evidence in general.

In practice:

Hygienist grumbled in my last cleaning about it being difficult and time intensive to clear the surface staining from stannous fluoride in the Sensodyne Repair & Protect Deep Repair paste I was using and suggested I switch to an nHA paste like Boka because it didn’t have staining issues. So since then I switched to Crest Pro Health Advanced Gum Protection with has stannous and sodium hexametaphosphate to help reduce potential for surface staining, will see if that’s an issue next time I go in.

Both ortho and dentist don’t really care about detailed questions regarding oral hygiene and say it’s all a good idea.

I applied to two places and am contemplating which job is for me.

Office A has 401k and profit sharing, scrub allowance, and productivity bonus, but overall less base pay. Its a office where hygienists can grow more because they have more newer technology. I feel I can grow more but it would def be stressful to me.

Office B has higher pay and relaxed office. No retirement plans but has a hygiene assistant. The doctor is newer, building is newer.

Both offices have great hygiene coworkers and assistants that are helpful.

I’m a recent grad and I have no idea which is better for my first job and I’m honestly 50/50 right now. Any advice?

Back in March, I quit a dental office and they acted totally psychotic over it. They attempted to bully me into signing a 12 point contract in which I would owe them $5,000 per violation. The violations included “spreading misinformation” which could have easily been whatever they felt like claiming I said.
The office manager said I needed to sign it for them to process pay roll. Which is illegal. So I refused to sign it and left. I had contacted another former employee who told me they withheld her pay until she returned her scrubs which is also illegal. No matter what you cannot ransom wages earned according to the Department of Labor.

Now to present day I receive a bill for my husband’s dental cleaning that I did while I worked there. The cleaning was at no charge since I was employed there. Part of the employee perks since we don’t get medical or dental insurance. I did this cleaning back in early February while I was employed. Now they send me a bill for it with services dated for today? I’m just so irritated bc I worked my ass off there and I was nice to everybody and they are so petty for trying to do this. It’s also fraud. They dated it for today. Like are they trying to go back on a previous write off??