Leah Hargrove is a dental hygienist in Tennessee who is a strong advocate for mental health support. She's hit a few bumps in the road to get where she is now but is so open about her story! Her goal is to help future dental hygiene students avoid the issues she's had trying to obtain her bachelor's after becoming a hygienist. Learn more about finding the right dental hygiene program for you on this episode! Submit your application for the DHB Scholarship HERE ! Transcripts are available on Appl...
Dec 18, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Josie Jasperson, creator of Study Pass RDH is my guest today and shares her path to becoming a dental hygienist. She truly has the heart of a teacher and is passionate about getting students ready to ace the NBDHE by providing FREE practice questions on Instagram every single day! She also has an affordable study-prep program for students preparing for the national board exam available on her website. Josie remembers wanting to use her knowledge of dental hygiene to educate others early in schoo...
Dec 12, 2024•42 min
It's no surprise that dental hygiene school is tough. High levels of stress can induce anxiety and you should be equipped with the tools on how to manage it if you ever experience it! I personally had severe anxiety through school and want to share how I was able to destress in an efficient and easy manner. These are simple ways you can bring your body out of the "fight or flight" mode and into a calm state. Submit your application for the DHB Scholarship HERE ! Transcripts are available on Appl...
Dec 11, 2024•6 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Julie @peachstaterdh is a dental hygienist working in periodontics and uses social media to support other hygienists. She loves her career but admits it wasn't easy to get where she is now. We talked about being second-time girlies and how she improved her application for hygiene school to get in the second time. Before hygiene, she had a degree and worked in communications and decided to have a career change after feeling burnt out. She "threw all her chips in" to pursue dental hygiene and, eve...
Dec 04, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 60
Finding your own happiness in life is just as important as finding happiness in your career! This episode gets into hard topics like hitting brick walls in your career and how you can adapt and learn from them. Trust me when I say I didn’t have it all figured out as a new grad but can confidently say that I’ve learned from my mistakes and have come such a long way. Remember- the only person who knows what’s best for you is YOU! Want a question answered on the show? Fill out the DHB Questionnaire...
Nov 27, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Are you struggling to make the perfect dental hygiene resume? This episode is for anyone applying to dental hygiene school or seeking employment as a dental hygienist. Follow all my best tips to put your best foot forward in any application! Want a question answered on the show? Fill out the DHB Questionnaire HERE . Transcripts are available on Apple or by request. Slide into my DMs HERE: Instagram: @dentalhygienebasics Facebook: Dental Hygiene Basics Twitter: @DH_Basics Email:DHBasics@protonmai...
Nov 20, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 58
Sasha is currently a senior in dental hygiene school and is only six months away from becoming an RDH! She joins me on this episode to talk about her journey so far and shares her best advice to future and current students to pay close attention to deadlines and “just go for it!” We also get into how she’s been able to find patients despite not having family and friends in her city and the controversy of paying for patient’s treatments. Tune in to hear her full story and some great words of wisd...
Nov 13, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 57
If you've followed my podcast for a while, you know how much I emphasize the importance of finding great mentors in your career. I had amazing ones who helped me get to where I am today, and I truly gained so much insight about this field through all my dental hygiene heroes. I thank them for motivating and helping me in so many ways and hope to be a mentor for others as well! Want a question answered on the show? Fill out the DHB Questionnaire HERE . Transcripts are available on Apple or by req...
Oct 30, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 56
If you're interested in working in the field of dental hygiene, I'm sure you know that prevention is KEY to maintaining oral health. Caitlin from @thealignedhygienist makes a great point in this episode when she says that dental professionals can apply this principle to their careers by preventing physical injuries to our bodies. She is an ergonomics consultant and yoga instructor who shares great advice for incoming hygiene students that you don't want to miss out on! Want a question answered o...
Oct 23, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Mia and Nicole from the ToothBytes Podcast join me to share their journeys into dental hygiene school. We cover the rigors of an accelerated program, getting into hygiene school with low grades on your transcript, overcoming harsh interviews, and more! Head over to their podcast to hear their experiences as new graduates. Want a question answered on the show? Fill out the DHB Questionnaire HERE . Transcripts are available on Apple or by request. Slide into my DMs HERE: Instagram: @dentalhygieneb...
Oct 16, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Dental hygiene school can feel like a two-year marathon and while the courseload is no joke, it's good to take a step back and really reflect on your journey! Through all the studying and stress, I was still able to make some really great memories that I'm grateful for to this day. Don't be afraid to get involved in student organizations and get out of your comfort zone! Those two years will be over before you know it. Want a question answered on the show? Fill out the DHB Questionnaire HERE . T...
Oct 09, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Are you looking for a mentor to guide your dental hygiene journey? Look no further! Whether you're applying to programs, are currently in hygiene school, or are a new graduate, this week's guest, Christine Phillips, and I have a passion for being a mentor to aspiring and registered dental hygienists. Christine is a hygiene coach and the founder of RDH Pro Connect. She applies her years of experience to empower and build better hygienists. You can find more info on her website HERE . Want a quest...
Oct 02, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 52
I love to showcase dental hygienists who have branched off from clinical hygiene to do something unique because it's so refreshing to think of all the possibilities we have in this field! In this episode, I interviewed Katie and Marvelyn, who founded their company Perio Precise. They're doing amazing work in Las Vegas, Nevada by helping hygienists incorporate the use of endoscopes in their practice, using endoscopes to treat patients, and educating the masses on endoscopes. Their stories are ama...
Sep 28, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Looking for some mentors on your path to becoming a dental hygienist? Fiona and I are perfect for the job! These “second-time” girlies didn't get into dental hygiene school on their first try yet managed to become educators in the field later down the road. With her passion for dentistry starting at a young age, Fiona was surprised to face some rejections on her path to becoming a dental health professional but shares that it led her to where she is today. She lives an exciting life as a hygieni...
Sep 26, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Jevonah, @the.happy.RDH, sheds light on her journey to becoming a registered dental hygienist and, although she had some bumps in the road, she remains positive and strives to spread happiness by integrating healthy mental habits. She is what we call a "second-time" girly and did not get into hygiene school on her first try. Jevonah shares her tips on improving her application to get in on her second try as well as her personal struggles through hygiene school in hopes of helping future students...
Sep 18, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Today's episode provides incoming dental hygiene students with the best advice on how they can make mental connections while in school. This is a tip to help you learn better and faster. It will also help you to perform stronger on your exams! Want a question answered on the show? Fill out the DHB Questionnaire HERE . Transcript is available on Apple or by request. Slide into my DMs HERE: Instagram: @dentalhygienebasics Facebook: Dental Hygiene Basics Twitter: @DH_Basics Timestamps: (00:00) Ment...
Sep 11, 2024•6 min•Season 1Ep. 48
On this bonus episode of the Dental Hygiene Basics Podcast, Dana interviews Areal, a registered dental hygienist living in Canada. Areal's RDH origin story starts with her dropping out of high school, but ends with her becoming an RDH, of course! Areal shares her story in a way that will inspire any person who may be holding onto limiting beliefs about their future career. Plus, there is a valuable lesson to be learned about getting your vaccination records together sooner rather than later! Fil...
Sep 10, 2024•38 min
Katie Steger shares her amazing story of overcoming mental health struggles like anxiety and depression to now becoming a dental hygienist and educator. She’s had a non-linear path to dental hygiene school and talks about the impact of her undiagnosed ADHD and autism through it all. Katie is now an incredible resource for current dental hygiene students and shares her perspective on patient care for those with autism through her social media. Tune in to hear how she went from C’s and D’s in high...
Sep 04, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Founder of Dental Hygiene Nation, Caitlyn, joins me for a special bonus episode! She talks about how a career in dental hygiene can have more diversity than you think! She combined her passion for dentistry and graphic design as well as her experience in sales to build her successful business. Caitlyn's merch has built a community of hygienists who are proud to represent this profession and I could not be more excited to see our field continue to evolve. I hope this episode ignites a passion for...
Aug 31, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Are you stuck in a cycle of procrastination? This episode has the best tip on how to curb this habit while in school. Find out how to make the best out of your education with some preparation and engagement here! Want a question answered on the show? Fill out the DHB Questionnaire HERE . Transcripts are available on Apple or by request. Slide into my DMs HERE: Instagram: @dentalhygienebasics Facebook: Dental Hygiene Basics Twitter: @DH_Basics Email:DHBasics@protonmail.com Timestamps: (00:00) Pro...
Aug 28, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Arianna Cazares graduated from dental hygiene school one year ago and joins host Dana on this episode to share her experiences working in the clinical setting. Her passion is to educate patients with low dental health literacy and spread awareness through her social media. This episode sheds light on many topics for aspiring dental hygienists such as paying for school, finding patients, preventing dismissal from your program, and so much more! Go give Ariana a follow on Instagram @thergvrdh Want...
Aug 21, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 44
As a lifelong learner, Dana has found the BEST ways to retain information. One of her most reliable methods is self-explaining. It is simple yet very efficient when having to learn difficult concepts like histology or embryology. These tips are not only important to do well on your tests, but also to provide better care to patients in the clinical setting! Want a question answered on the show? Fill out the DHB Questionnaire HERE . Transcript is available on Apple or by request. Slide into my DMs...
Aug 14, 2024•7 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Letitia, also known as Toothfairytish, is a mentor for newly graduated dental hygienists and has her own Podcast, Sunday Scalies! She offers amazing advice for incoming hygiene students and discusses her own personal struggles through school. Both Letitia and host, Dana get vulnerable as they tell their stories of being pre-dental before hygiene school. Tune into this episode to hear all about Letitia's journey to become a dental hygienist! Then give her a follow on Instagram @toothfairytish See...
Aug 07, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 42
In this episode, I talk about my love for dental hygiene while also addressing the challenges in this field. It's so important to focus on the positive aspects of the job and highlight the growth in the dental hygiene profession. I encourage all aspiring dental hygienists to focus on the positives just as much- if not more than the negatives. Some of my favorite things about being a dental hygienist is the satisfaction of removing calculus, interacting with patients, and being able to work with ...
Jul 31, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Neurobics can be utilized when studying to improve the retention of information faster and longer. It can also help to strengthen hand skills, which is a very important aspect of dental hygiene. Today's episode focuses on how dental hygiene students can utilize these studying methods to succeed in their preclinic course! Want a question answered on the show? Fill out the DHB Questionnaire HERE . Transcript is available on Apple or by request. Slide into my DMs HERE: Instagram: @dentalhygienebasi...
Jul 17, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Dana is a public health hygienist, educator, tutor, entrepreneur, and more. In this episode, she reflects on her journey to becoming a dental hygienist and shares what she would have done differently. She emphasizes the importance of not rushing the process and recommends gaining work experience in the dental field prior to dental hygiene school. She also encourages finding volunteering opportunities that align with your personal interests and values, rather than just focusing on what looks good...
Jul 10, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Ash, also known as the Redhead RDH, is an amazing mentor for hygiene students and registered hygienists. This episode focuses on her path to becoming a hygienist and the struggles she overcame during hygiene school. She reveals how she got into hygiene school with a secret weapon despite having C's on her transcript and got through the program with three kids. You don't want to miss Ash's nuggets of advice on this episode! See the full transcript HERE . Want a question answered on the show? Fill...
Jul 03, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Do you find yourself losing motivation and confidence through dental hygiene school? I'm here to remind you that this is a marathon, not a sprint! Just like some of the best athletes, dental hygienists require so much practice before become skilled. No one becomes a great hygienist overnight so just remember to go easy on yourself and celebreate the small wins. This episode covers more tips on how you can improve your clinical skills and be successful through hygiene school! 🦷✨ See the full tra...
Jun 19, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Did you know students are responsible for scheduling their own patients in dental hygiene school? This can sound terrifying for some people, especially because some schools will give you a zero if you don't have a patient in your chair! This episode is all about ways you can prevent this from happening. Listen here for all my best tips on finding patients. 🎉 Calendly is an online scheduling tool that can be a great resource for students! Find the link HERE . ✏️🗓️ See the full transcript HERE ....
Jun 12, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Our special guest, Dannia, shares her inspiring journey into dental hygiene school. From her early interest in dental hygiene sparked by her father's dental issues to her proactive approach in aligning high school courses with her goals through dual enrollment and AP classes, Dannia's story is one you don't want to miss! We discuss networking, the costs of hygiene school, and the continuous improvements you can make to be successful in school. Dannia's personal adversities and her determination ...
Jun 05, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 35
