BrushwithBritt BrushwithBritt

In this episode, we discuss dental hygienists administering Botox and dermal fillers. As the scope of dental hygiene expands, professionals are increasingly equipped to offer these aesthetic treatments, enhancing both facial aesthetics and therapeutic applications within dental practices.



We'll explore the training required, the legal and ethical considerations, and how these skills can complement traditional dental care.



Hear from Katie, an experienced hygienist, who has successfully integrated these services. Whether you're a dental professional curious about expanding your services or a patient interested in what your dental hygienist can offer beyond oral health, this episode provides valuable insights into this evolving practice.



Tune in to discover how the roles of dental hygienists are transforming in the world of cosmetic and therapeutic treatments.



Katie Barrer is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Certified Esthetic Injector. Elevating her traditional hygiene skills, Katie integrates Botox and dermal filler into her practice viewing them as essential components in her dental hygiene tool kit!



Katie is also a faculty member of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics and enjoys traveling the country teaching health care professionals the art of injecting and facial esthetics! 



Connect with her on instagram @theRDHinjector or email her at Katieb.rdh@gmail.com



Recommend readings:

"This got you talking: What's your take on RDHs administering Botox?" by Sara Joyce



"The buzz about Botox: What dental hygienists need to know" by Tala Alkhatib, BSDH(c), Saheleh Ansarizadeh, BSDH, Michelle Mendoza Nicolas, BSDH, Lesley Harbison, MS, RDH, EPDH



"Dental hygienists and Botox: It's complicated" by Jessica Myers, BA, RDH



"Dental hygienist-owned practices: Transforming dentistry through prevention" by Britt Glauz, BSDH, RDH

Today, you'll hear straight from a dental hygiene school professor! Everything from studying tips to managing stress while in dental hygiene school. This episode shares advice to help get you through school. We touch on finding patients, mental health, imposter syndrome and more. Even if you are half way through the program, you will still benefit from this episode.



Melissa Calhoun, a 2005 graduate of Pensacola State College's dental hygiene program, is a distinguished professional with extensive experience in pediatric, implant, and general dentistry. In 2021, she earned her master’s in dental hygiene with an education focus from MCPHS University. Based in Keller, TX, Melissa is an educator at Tarrant County College in their Dental Hygiene Department, where she teaches Radiology, Oral Anatomy and Histology, and Pharmacology. Melissa is also a clinician, a faculty member with Sanders Board Preparatory, a professional educator with Church and Dwight, and an SDA trainer with EMS Dental. In leadership roles, she serves as the President-Elect of the American Academy of Dental Hygiene. Melissa's dynamic contributions highlight her commitment to advancing oral health education and professional growth.





The AADH (American Academy of Dental Hygiene) has not begun accepting student membership yet. I encourage students to join our emailing list (LINK HERE ) to be the first to learn when registration begins. Once they accept students, the mentorship program will be opened to them.



Contact Melissa:

mcalhounrdh@icloud.com



Additional recommended episodes:

54. Hygiene School Advice

32. Pressure of Hygiene School

25. Navigating Hygiene School

22. Managing Hygiene School

12. Working While in Dental Hygiene School

3. Finding Patients

2. Six Tips for Starting Dental Hygiene School

In this episode, Jessica Woods, MPH, RDH, RDA and I discuss how dental hygienists are stepping into innovative roles beyond traditional clinical practice.





Particularly focusing on taking on the role of Clinical Advisor. We'll discuss the transition from patient care to shaping the dental industry through training sales teams, contributing to product development, and ensuring clinical accuracy in marketing materials.





Hear from Jessica who has expanded her impact by managing training programs, participating in regulatory strategies, and supporting quality assurance and product claims with her expertise.





This episode is created to inspire dental hygienists to consider ALL the opportunities available in the dental field, encouraging them to apply their skills to a variety of new settings.





Tune in to discover how dental hygienists are taking on non-traditional roles and what steps you can take to take on a similar journey.





Jessica L. Woods, MPH, RDH, Founder, seeks to empower the dental industry to a bright future by inspiring clinicians to reignite their careers. A 20-year veteran in the industry, she is a clinical product expert, thought leader, non-profit practice owner and sought-after mentor. Woods has spoken to thousands of dental professions across the country offering her unique experiences implementing dental implant programs and had lead product go-to-market strategies from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.

 



Affectionally known as the #ExecutiveRDH, she has scaled her way to the boardroom since graduation from West Coast University with Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and master’s degree in public health from A.T. Still University. She has been recognized as one of the 50 Top Teledentistry Leaders and Hygienist of the Year.



She has a strong passion for introducing others to alternative careers paths in dentistry and supporting them as they grow in the profession. She established the Dental Public Health Collaborative which offers post-graduate training and a mentorship network to her colleagues as they venture out of the traditional four-walls of dentistry.





Contact Jessica: jessicawoodsrdhap@gmail.com

In this episode,' we dive into the crucial role dental hygienists play in airway evaluation and the management of sleep-disordered breathing. Hygienists are in a unique position to identify signs and symptoms of sleep-related issues that often go unnoticed. We'll explore what to look for, the questions to ask, and how to initiate conversations with patients about sleep disordered breathing.



Bethany highlights the importance of continuing education in dental sleep medicine for hygienists, offering practical advice on where to start and how to integrate this knowledge into daily practice.



This episode emphasizes the importance of dental-medical integration, advocating for a more collaborative approach between dental professionals and medical providers to enhance patient care. We encourage our listeners to embrace the opportunities in dental sleep medicine, not only to expand their professional skill set but also to play a pivotal role in improving their patients' overall health and quality of life.

Whether you're new to the concept of dental sleep medicine or looking to deepen your knowledge, this episode is a call to action for hygienists to start to implement airway evaluations and become knowledgeable about dental sleep medicine. Tune in to discover how you can make a difference in the lives of your patients by educating on sleep disordered breathing.



Bethany Montoya, BAS, RDH, is a practicing dental hygienist, editorial director of DentistryIQ's Clinical Insights newsletter and a key opinion leader. She has advanced knowledge and training in complex cosmetic dentistry, dental sleep medicine, and implant dentistry. Recently, she has devoted her time to dentistry’s personal and interpersonal aspects through her social media brand, @humanrdh.



Contact Bethany at humanrdh@outlook.com

In this episode, we review the importance of performing oral cancer screenings by dental professionals. Early detection can be the difference between life and death, and dental teams play a crucial role in identifying signs of oral cancer during routine examinations. Join us as we learn about how to effectively communicate with patients and discuss techniques in screening. We'll also cover the potential risk factors and symptoms to watch for, empowering dental professionals to be at the forefront of oral health and cancer prevention. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the dental field committed to enhancing patient care and making a significant impact on public health.

Susan Cotten, BSDH, RDH, OMT, is CEO of Oral Cancer Consulting and developed the “Cotten Method”, an oral cancer screening method and dental office system. She is an international speaker on oral cancer and holds hands-on oral cancer screening workshops for dental professionals who want to have more confidence in screening, reduce the risk of liability, and increase early detection. In her career, Susan has performed over 60 thousand oral cancer screenings. She is the Dental Lead for the Alliance for HPV Free Colorado, an RDH Advisory Board member at The Oral Cancer Foundation, a director with Dental Codeology Consortium

Susan is a 2018 recipient of the Sunstar RDH Award of Distinction and recipient of the Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association Ethyl Covington Award and Outstanding Contribution Award. Susan founded MAD(Make A Difference) for Healthy Smiles as a 2010-2011 member of Donny Osmond’s Make a Difference program and received Volunteer of the Year from the Oral Cancer Foundation in 2011. On a personal note, Susan loves walking the beaches of Hawaii, is a former country dance competitor, and loves watching college football.

https://oralcancerconsulting.com/cotten-method-guide

Connect with Susan Cotten:
Email: oralcancerconsulting@gmail.com
@SCottenRDH

In this episode, Amber Lovatos and I discuss the dual life of being a dental hygienist and content creator. We'll share insights on staying authentic and the unique challenges and rewards of juggling these two roles. Whether you're in the dental field, a content creator, or both, this episode is packed with tips and inspiration to help you thrive in both worlds.


Amber Lovatos, RDH, BSDH, is a clinician, educator, author, and champion for public health issues, she inspires industry colleagues with unique stories that include triumph over abuse and discovering her identity as “The Latina RDH.” Celebrated as her family’s first college graduate, Amber holds a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from The University of Texas School of Dentistry She now hosts A Cuento De Dos Higienistas podcast. Amber is recipient of numerous national and state awards and academic scholarships including being named 2021’s Dimensions of Dental Hygiene Six Dental Hygienists You Want to Know & 2022 Sunstar Award of Distinction recipient. Amber is the co-author of Smiles Por Vida a Spanish & Spanglish not for profit children’s dental book. Amber is also the founder of Latin RDH, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering the Latin dental hygiene community.




Instagram: @thelatinardh
Email: amlovatos@gmail.com