Sara Brooks lives in rural Missouri and continues to work as a clinical Dental Hygienist. She graduated from Carl Sandburg College with an Associate’s of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene in 2006. In 2018, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Oral Health Promotion from O’Hehir University. Sara is married and has two young daughters that keep her busy. Sara knew she wanted to be a Dental Hygienist when she was 8 years old. Her passion for the dental field started at such a young age because her mom was a Dental Hygienist and Sara wanted to follow in her footsteps.
5 Tips on Becoming a Dental Hygienist
By: Sara Brooks RDH, BS Congratulations! You decided you want to become a Dental Hygienist! So now what?…
5 Reasons to Become a Dental Hygienist
By: Sara Brooks RDH, BS Here are 5 reasons to become a Dental Hygienist: Pay: You get paid well…
Adapting to Change in Dentistry is the Key to Career Longevity
By: John Cranham, DDSThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Cranham granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. No matter how many years in practice, dentists never have everything figured out. The things that you are doing now are not going to be right forever. My Advice for Young Dentists My advice to…
The Smart Path to Clinical Competence for Young Dentists
By: John C. Cranham, DDSThis topic originally appeared on PankyGram.org. Dr. Cranham granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Every hour you invest in your practice is an investment in your future—so choose wisely how you spend it. Many young dentists begin their careers with enthusiasm but find themselves caught in a chaotic,…
Why Strategic Credentialing From the Beginning Can Transform Your Career Earnings
By: Angela Holland, Founder of Preferred Dental SolutionsInsurance Expert and Strategy Consultant for Dental PracticesPreferredDentalSolutions.com Starting your career as a dentist or as a new practice owner is thrilling – new patients, new relationships, and new possibilities. But there’s one factor that quietly shapes your financial trajectory more than most realize: insurance credentialing. From day…
Learning to Talk Teeth: Why Communication is Your Most Important Skill in Dentistry
By: Michael Eid Dental school will teach you how to perform basic dentistry—but one thing that often gets overlooked is how to communicate with patients. The truth is, patients don’t just buy treatment; they buy trust. The way you talk to them will make or break whether they accept your recommendations. Listen First Most patients…
Chairside Air Abrasion: A Game-Changer in Modern Adhesive Dentistry
By: Dr. Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org, Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. The need for precise, clean tooth preparation methods has increased, especially in adhesive dentistry. One tool that has risen in popularity is chairside air abrasion. Once dismissed due to logistical headaches, this technique…
The Most Important Thing to Become Financially Independent
By: Dr. James Pitts Have you ever wondered what is the most important item in becoming financially independent in Dentistry? Certainly, there are many factors. High-Producing Practice? Some Dentists would think having a high-producing practice is the key. While producing a lot of revenue makes it easier to become wealthy, it is not the most…
Creating Success-Oriented Patient Relationships in Dentistry
By: Paul A. Henny, DDS This topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Henny granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. The word “prescriptive” recently got stuck in my head. It made me think about the important distinction between a relationship that’s primarily focused on “giving directions or injunctions” versus mutually goal-oriented and collaborative. It’s…
Management of Congenitally Missing Teeth in Ectodermal Dysplasia
By: Daren Becker, DMD This topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Becker granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Case Presentation A 16-year-old girl presented with the worst case of ectodermal dysplasia I had ever seen. She was missing all of her lower teeth except for her 12-year molars. She presented with a lower…
Don’t Guess Your Way Through Credentialing — Maximize ROI from Day One
By: Angela Holland Stepping into your first dental practice is like jumping into the deep end — exciting, but full of unknowns. You’re a clinician, not an insurance guru, and that’s okay. You don’t know what you don’t know, especially when it comes to strategic credentialing. But here’s the truth: a sloppy approach to insurance…
Lessons Learned From Listening to Different Preceptors as a D4
By: Michael Eid One of the hardest parts of dental school isn’t the hand skills or the exams — it’s treatment planning. One thing I’ve learned is that every preceptor has their own philosophy. At first, you want to take every word as gospel. But the deeper you get into clinic, the more you realize:…