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….
No More Drama: How Clear Agreements Create a Thriving, Accountable Dental TeamÂ
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Practice Coach + Director of Operations IgniteDDS Managing a dental practice comes with its fair share of challenges—especially when it comes to holding your team accountable. Too often, practice owners and managers find themselves frustrated when tasks aren’t completed, patient care falls through the cracks, or team members don’t meet expectations….
Mastering Panadent Dento-Facial Analyzer Technique
By: Lee Ann Brady DMDTopic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Mounting the maxillary models in three reference planes to the hinge axis and acquiring the esthetic information of occlusal and incisal planes are important both diagnostically and when sending information to the lab. Achieving both…
The Most Powerful Shield in Dentistry—Is Yours Full of Holes?
Inadequate Record-Keeping – Lessons from Dr. A.R. By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH In the last blog, we explored Dr. A.R.’s failure to conduct a comprehensive periodontal evaluation and how that oversight compromised patient care and legal protection. But charting alone is not enough—if documentation is incomplete, vague, or missing critical details, it fails to…
The Benefits of Accepting Dental Insurance at Your Dental Practice
By: Angela Holland In today’s competitive healthcare landscape, offering dental insurance as a payment option can be a game-changer for your practice. While it may require additional administrative work, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Here’s why accepting dental insurance can be a win-win for both your practice and your patients. 1. Attract More Patients…
The Principles of “mise-en-place” for the Dental Office
By: Dr. Savanah Craig I have become inspired by the book “Work Clean” by Dan Charnas. The book takes a look at the idea of “mise-en-place” which is taught to cooks, culinary students, and chefs around the world. “Mise-en-place” essentially means everything in its place, but Dan Chanas’ book takes a deeper dive into how…
Feel the Difference of Innovation: OptraGate® 2 Brings Comfort and Efficiency to the Dental Practice
By: Ivoclar The Ivoclar Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of integrated solutions for high-quality dental applications with an extensive product and systems portfolio for dentists, dental technicians and dental hygienists, presents: OptraGate® 2: the enhanced version of their successful product, OptraGate®, which provides ample access to the treatment field and supports relative isolation…
Maximizing Insurance Reimbursement: The Power of Clinical Notes Over Narratives
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Practice Coach + Director of Operations IgniteDDS Submitting dental insurance claims can be a time-consuming and frustrating process if not done correctly. Many practices struggle with claim rejections and delays due to missing documentation, incorrect coding, or vague narratives. These errors lead to longer wait times for payments, increased administrative work,…
Tooth Extractions: Simple vs. Surgical Procedures for Dental Students
By: Michael Eid Tooth extractions are typically a “last resort” option when there are no other better alternatives. However, you quickly realize that not all extractions are the same—understanding the distinctions between simple and surgical extractions is crucial. This article explains the indications, techniques, and importance of not only knowing how but WHEN to use…
Ain’t Got Time for Perio Charting? Try Finding Time for a Board Hearing and Investigation
The Importance of Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluations – Lessons from Dr. A.R. By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH Take a moment to reflect on your approach to periodontal charting. How often do you find yourself rushing through an exam, assuming that if a patient looks stable, they probably are? Do you rely on quick assessments, visual…
Help! My Dental Assistant Isn’t Putting the Treatment Rendered on the Patient’s Ledger
By: Ronda Holman Running a smooth and profitable dental practice depends on accurate record-keeping, and one common frustration among dentists is when treatment rendered isn’t properly entered into the patient’s ledger. This small oversight can lead to big problems, including incorrect billing, insurance claim delays, and lost revenue. Let’s say Dr. Smith, a busy dentist,…