Megen Elliott, MS-OCL, RDH, CDA, has over 13 years of experience in the dental field. She finds joy in inspiring others to grow and reach their full potential. As an educator, author, interprofessional speaker, volunteer leader, and consultant, Megen is able to explore many areas of the dental industry. Most recently, she has taken a deeper dive into her passion for mentoring and empowering others to succeed and also bridging connections between professionals and dental brands. Megen’s favorite activity is networking with dental colleagues both online and while attending dental conferences around the country. Founder and admin of Hygiene Happy Vibes she hopes you will join your fellow dental professionals online and work to build each other up!
5 Reasons to Become a Dental Hygienist
By: Megen Elliott, MS-OCL, RDH, CDA Narrowing down just five reasons to become a dental hygienist was a…
How to Become a Dental Hygienist
By: Megen Elliott, MS-OCL, RDH, CDA Becoming a dental hygienist is a rewarding, challenging, and exciting adventure….
From Clinician to CEO: Part 1
Part 1. Clinical Control: Leading People to Clinical Excellence By: Dr. David Rice Do you want to know how to build a team that diagnoses, treats, and performs just like you — even when you’re not in the room? When most new owners we meet talk about clinical excellence, they’re really talking about clinical skill….
How Many Days Have You Missed?
By: Dr. Eric Recker This past weekend, I got sick. I will spare you the details, but let’s just say that sometimes you go to sleep at night with a high level of confidence that your stomach contents will be leaving before morning. That was my Saturday night. Sunday was followed by serious chills until about…
Professional Development that Actually Works
By: Garrett Wilson Professional development is one of the top five benefits dental professionals are looking for from their employers, according to our research, which surveyed over 1,000 dental professionals across the country. But there’s a catch: development cannot be forced. As a leader, you can’t care about someone’s development more than them. The best…
Achieve Superior Provisionals with Matrix1
By: Kelley Brummett, DMD This topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Brummett granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. When it comes to delivering provisional molds, precision is paramount. A well-made dental provisional not only ensures patient comfort but also sets the stage for a seamless crown preparation. In my practice, I’ve found that the material used…
Deep Marginal Elevation: What It Is, Why It Matters, & How to Learn the Basics
By: Michael Eid Your first deep marginal elevation (DME) will test every bit of patience you have. The matrix won’t seal, saliva will creep in, and you’ll start questioning why a class 2 is becoming this difficult. But once you understand why you’re doing it and how to do it right, DME becomes one of the…
Gratitude in the Operatory: Finding Joy in the Everyday Practice
By: Dr. Sable Muntean As November rolls in and the holiday season approaches, many of us in the dental profession find ourselves reflecting on what we’re thankful for, in life and in practice. Dentistry can be fast-paced and demanding, but it’s also a career filled with opportunities to touch lives in meaningful ways. Discovering Joy…
Blessing or Curse? The 4 O’Clock Dilemma
By: Ronda Holman It’s 3:55 p.m. on a Thursday. The 4 o’clock patient just canceled. You can almost hear the sighs of relief ripple through the back office—until the dentist pops their head in and says, “Let’s fill that spot with a root canal!” For the doctor, this is a victory. The schedule stays full, production…
Correcting Patients’ F & V Sounds During Restorative Dental Treatment
By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brady granted igniteDDS permission to share with our readers. Following on the last article about correcting the S sound, I want to take a look at two other phonetically similar sounds, F and V, that affect our restorative dental treatment results. The good news is that…
From Scramble to Strategy: Making Q4 Your Most Profitable Quarter
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Business Coach and Director of Operations, IgniteDDS Every fall, dental practices face the same challenge: by the time they remember that October through December holds the highest patient demand, half the opportunity is gone. With September behind us, now is the moment to get intentional. Why? Because Q4 is where patient momentum…
🦷🎃 Spooktacular Smiles: Fun Ways to Celebrate Halloween in the Office
By: Dr. Sable Muntean Costume ideas, decorating tips, and candy alternatives to keep it dental-friendly! Halloween is a favorite time of year for patients and dental teams alike, a perfect excuse to add a little fun (and maybe a few cobwebs) to your workday! Between the costumes, décor, and community spirit, this spooky season is…