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….
Making Informed Decisions When Choosing Zirconia RestorationsÂ
By: Christopher Mazzola, DDSThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Mazzola granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. The purpose of looking at recent research data is to see how we can improve our clinical outcomes. Different scholarly journals inform us of ways to decrease risk and hopefully increase the longevity of the services…
You Purchased a Dental Practice, Congratulations! (Insurance Credentialing….Where to Start?!)
By: Angela Holland Purchasing a dental practice is a significant milestone in any dentist’s career. It’s an exciting time, full of opportunities for growth, patient care, and building a long-lasting reputation in your community. However, the transition from being a practitioner to a practice owner involves much more than just managing day-to-day operations. One crucial…
Class III Preparation and Restoration: High-Yield Guide for Dental Students
By: Michael Eid Class III lesions are your first step into esthetic dentistry and demand perfection. You’re now working on anterior teeth—where every margin, contour, and finish is visible. This guide breaks it down so you can restore it with a little more confidence. What Is a Class III Cavity? Location: Proximal surfaces (mesial/distal) of…
Scrubs, Stress & Leadership: Why Empathy Is Your Secret Superpower
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Practice Coach + Director of Operations IgniteDDS In the fast-paced, high-demand environment of a dental practice, stress can build quickly—from back-to-back procedures and insurance hurdles to team tension and patient anxiety. What if the solution to reducing that stress isn’t about doing more, but about leading better? One of the most underutilized…
Composite Warmers: Why and How to Effectively Use Them
By: Lee Ann BradyThis Topic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Many dentists warm composite by placing it on top of the operatory light, but I wonder what the patient is thinking when you reach for it on top of the light. Some dentists have water…
Do You Have the Right Retirement Plan for your Dental Practice?
By: Dr. James Pitts One of the best benefits that Dentists have are Qualified Retirement Plans. Qualified Retirement Plans are saving vehicles blessed by the IRS. They come in many varieties but are in two major categories. Individual Retirement Accounts The first category is Individual Plans. These include Individual Retirement accounts or IRAs. A Dentist…
Caries on #13D: Restored with Garrison Matrix System & Ecosite Elements
By: Dr. Mohammed Hammoud Today’s case: Caries on #13D, restored using two standout products: Here’s how they helped deliver an efficient, esthetic result! Procedure Breakdown: Isolation & Preparation: After isolating the area, caries removal was kept conservative to preserve as much enamel as possible. Matrix System: Used the Garrison Matrix System, which provided: Excellent tooth separation…
Boundaries with Heart: How Dental Teams Can Stay Compassionate Without Burning OutÂ
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Practice Coach + Director of Operations IgniteDDS In dentistry, we offer much more than clinical care—we offer emotional safety, comfort, and connection. But when patients are anxious, emotional, or even difficult, that emotional labor takes its toll on the team. You’re not just taking impressions and reviewing X-rays—you’re often absorbing fear, grief,…
Co-Discovering Oral Diseases Through Medical HistoryÂ
By: Mary Osborne, RDHThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Osborne granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Take Your Time For Detailed Medical History The earliest but yet the most powerful tool toward accurate diagnosis is detailed patient’s medical history. But to get the desired information that we need from patients for diagnosing…
Why Submitting Claims to Dental Insurance Under a Provider Not Rendering Treatment is Insurance Fraud
By: Angela Holland In the world of dental insurance, accuracy isn’t just important, it’s essential. When it comes to submitting dental claims, one of the most critical pieces of information is the rendering provider, the licensed dentist who actually performed the service. Whether you’re a single-practice office or part of a larger dental network, it…