The Awakened Hygienist

04/24/2026

Dentistry is experiencing lots of twists and turns.. most we never saw coming.
Within offices we are becoming more observant to how team members treat each other, how the employer treats us, and how patients are being treated.

What once felt "normal" is no longer acceptable.

The time is here. Speak up. Stand up for yourself, for us united together.

04/18/2026

RDHs please listen 🙏
Can we please change our verbiage?
We do not get an hour per patient.
50 minutes is considered a "clinical hour" to provide the last 10 minutes for documentation, clean up, and space between the patients.
IT IS UP TO US to make sure we are saying all the correct things to patients and to our teams.
We do not get 60 minutes per patient. We get 50 clinical minutes.
(Unfortunately some of us don't even get that)

04/13/2026

How much do you invest (both your time and your money) into something that is growing you?

Invest your energy into something that is going to contribute to your growth.

04/13/2026

04/11/2026

OPAs... How did this happen?

There are many reasons (mostly not good) that OPAs are entering dentistry.

ONE huge reason is a result of us RDHs not speaking up...

Let me ask..

How many of your offices have assistants taking X-rays without being radiography certified?

How many offices have ALREADY allowed DAs to "clean teeth" on children?

Have you reported these offices to the board for treating patients illegally?

Us RDHs MUST start reporting these offices. Dentists realize they have RDHs in their office seeing what is happening and there is no repercussion.

We need to help them see there IS!

04/10/2026

04/10/2026

Patients and Prevention ...

04/09/2026

At WREB Dental Conference today! I was speaking with a dentist from out of state. He can't find a hygienist because "they all quit"... 🙄

So I asked him, "what sets you a part from other dentists? Why would a patient choose your office over the one down the street? And why would a RDH choose you over another employer?"

Then I asked... Are you looking for a teeth cleaner or a healthcare provider who can treat your patients thoroughly?

He just sat there looking at me.

Why would RDHs be sitting in CEs just to be a teeth cleaner? This makes me want to have a community discussion with both RDHs and Dentists online.

Dentists need to hear the truth!

Should I create a group discussion on Zoom? Would you participate?

03/05/2026

Epistemic Capture...
A new phrase I just learned and you should too. Its what is happening in dentistry and the medical profession.

02/13/2026

Attn: Fellow Dental Professionals Please Share!!

Please join me virtually this Tuesday, February 10th for a free live CE on the subject of Temping.

Unconventional: Temping for Beginners
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Time: 8:00pm EST, 7:00pm CST, 6:00pm MST/Arizona, 5:00pm PST
Cost: Free
Credits: 1
Presented By: Jennifer Stanley, RDH

Sign up for a free CE Zoom account to get 1 . The event is hosted by Dr Emily Boge with Paradise Dental Technologies & presented by Jennifer Phillips Stanley RDH through the CE Zoom platform.

Even if you are experienced in temping, there are always valuable takeaways!😉 Plus 1 free live CE!

Live Webinars:

PDT Dental