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…
The Evolution of Excellence: Introducing the NSK Ti-Max Z99L
By: NSK NSK’s newest electric handpiece, the Ti-Max Z99L, is designed to provide more torque, better ergonomics, and unmatched durability. 1. Optimized for Power: The New Gear & Chuck System The Z99L introduces the DURAPOWER CHUCK, a next-generation mechanism that provides a significantly stronger bur grip, reducing the risk of slippage even when cutting through…
From Chaos to Coordination: Building a Michelin-Star Dental Team
By: Dawn Patrick, COO and Dental Business Strategy Coach, IGNITEDDS What Does a High-Performing Dental Team Actually Look Like? In high-performing dental practices, success isn’t about everyone doing everything. It’s about everyone doing their part, exceptionally well. Think about a fine dining restaurant. Yet every guest experiences seamless service, which leads to a 5-star experience….
Enhancing Doctor & Dental Lab Communication in the Digital Age
By: Lee Culp, CDTThis article originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Culp granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. The collaboration between doctors and dental labs has undergone a seismic shift with the rise of digital dentistry. Historically, communication between these two essential players in restorative dentistry was limited—often reduced to written instructions and…
Link AI for A-dec+™: A Smarter Way to Manage Your Future Dental Practice
By: A-dec® Thinking about your future practice? With all the decisions ahead, here’s an easy one. Your Focus Right Now vs. Your Future Practice Right now, your focus is on clinics, competencies, labs, and exams. When you imagine owning a practice someday, you’re probably excited about: What you may not be so excited about is…
The Start-Up Ownership Illusion: Part 1
Start-Ups & Dentistry’s Manpower Crisis – Your First Hire Will Break Your Practice By: Dr. David Rice Why most future owners are building teams backwards—and don’t even know it. The Word on the Street Every dentist I meet who’s planning a startup says the same thing: “I just need a great team.” No, you don’t….
Preventing Tooth Wear and Color Loss When Adjusting Zirconia
By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Zirconia restorations have become a go-to solution in modern dentistry due to their durability, aesthetics, and biocompatibility. However, adjusting zirconia requires a precise approach to maintain its integrity and prevent complications. Whether you’re fine-tuning…
Silence Fuels Negativity, Leadership Requires Communication
Learning to Communicate Is Learning to Lead By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IGNITEDDS Dental Hygiene Coach In dentistry, and honestly in most professions, we are often told that leadership flows from the top down. But some of the most meaningful leadership does not come from a title. It comes from how we handle the conversations…
Preparing Your Patients for Removable Prosthodontics
By: Ronda Holman For many patients, transitioning to removable prosthodontics, whether partial dentures or full dentures, can feel intimidating. As dental professionals, one of our most valuable roles is helping patients understand what to expect and guiding them through the adjustment period with clear explanations and supportive coaching. When patients are properly prepared, their confidence…
Hope Isn’t on the Menu: Planning a Profitable Dental Year
By: Dawn Patrick, COO and Dental Business Strategy Coach, IGNITEDDS It’s almost the end of the first quarter of 2026. How’s “hope” working for you? At this point, you’ve either planned a successful year and had an amazing first few months, or you are winging it and hoping for the best each month. Think about…
Going From Conventional to Digital Denture Fabrication
By: Lee Culp, CDTThis article originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. igniteDDS was granted permission to share with our readers. For years, creating dentures was a time-consuming process, requiring multiple patient visits, manual wax-ups, and trial-and-error adjustments. However, the rise of digital dentistry has revolutionized denture fabrication. From AI-assisted design to dental 3D printing, digital workflows have…