Dental Hygiene Basics

Dana's path into dental hygiene is more winding than most, with several rejections, moments of self-reflection, and unexpected turns. In this episode, Dana shares her personal journey—from college rejections, career uncertainty, and questioning whether she was pursuing the right profession, to ultimately finding her place in dental hygiene and education. Tune in for practical advice she learned along the way, including why me...

Bringing back one of our fav episodes with guest Billie Lunt in case you missed it! Dental hygiene educator and podcast host Billie shares what admissions committees are really looking for, along with practical advice for navigating the transition into dental hygiene school. Billie also shares her #RDHoriginstory and the experience that inspired her career in dentistry. This episode offers thoughtful, practical insight for any futu...

Applying for scholarships in dental hygiene school sounds like a great way for students to make some quick cash, but it's knowing where to get started that holds them back. In this episode, you'll learn practical strategies for finding dental hygiene scholarships at the national, state, local, and school levels, along with simple ways to organize applications and make the most of your personal statement. You'll also hear why smalle...

Michael Suruy, current dental hygiene student and co-host of the DHY Boys podcast, joins Dana to discuss his unconventional path into dental hygiene. With a background in manufacturing and no prior experience in dentistry, Michael shares how he utilized intentional preparation, evidence-based study strategies, and a willingness to adapt to help him be accepted into a competitive dental hygiene program. This episode is full of pract...

Are you truly a procrastinator, or is perfectionism keeping you from moving forward? Dana unpacks why last-minute productivity can feel effective but also cause you more stress and decision fatigue. Dental hygiene students who find themselves in a rut of procrastination while preparing for exams and projects should take the time to self-reflect on this. Dana shares a practical framework built around breaking assignments into manage...

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...

For 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 vis...

Recent 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 ...

If 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 instru...

Kristen 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 pus...

Patient 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 communicatio...

Amber 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 ...

Dentinal 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 a...

Recent 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 ...

Histology 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 ...

What 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 purpo...

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 pr...

Career 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 conve...

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 min...