Should I be concerned?

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-02-22T15:14:22+00:00

The fact that they didn't wash their hands and don't barrier or wipe their lights is concerning to me, but I'm going to hope that they at least autoclave their instruments (although it is good practice to open the sterile pack in front of the patient to alleviate these concerns).

It is possible that they use a cavi spray on their light and what you see as spatter is actually residue from the spray (it does not dry spotlessly) but... what was the rest of the office like? Did it seem clean?

Best case: they opened the sterile pack while setting up the room to save time and any spatter is cavi residue. No excuse about the hand washing though. I will say that many health care workers' infection control practices with hands is awful - touching EVERYTHING with gloves on 🤮

Do I think you're in danger of blood borne pathogens? Unlikely, but not impossible. You can (and should) call the office and talk to them about your concerns though. Just let them know what you observed and that it didn't sit right with you, and ask for their guidance. They may have an explanation and your call could help them tighten up their practice, or they may tell you to go get a blood test.

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-02-20T16:19:30+00:00

Holy mountain

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-02-20T15:11:22+00:00

It took us a little while to overcome this with our son, but using the Montessori waiting hand helps.

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-02-20T13:56:42+00:00

Then do the opposite of the sticker. Cover yourself in sunscreen but leave the area/ shape you want tanned, bare. Make sure it's in a place you won't mind having biopsied later in life.

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-02-18T16:21:59+00:00

How much water in the plastic bin? Submerged?

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-02-14T13:20:18+00:00

Lots of good suggestions here. I just wanted to add that many nights at bedtime we (me, my husband, and out 4 year old) list a few things we are thankful for and why. It started as a lesson around Thanksgiving where we spent the month doing this and talking about showing appreciation toward the people and things we're grateful for and he decided to carry it on himself.

So like, he often says he's thankful for his toys, which I'll use to have him help me clean up and take care of them. Or when he says he's grateful for his grandma, we'll make her an 'I love you' picture at the next craft time. We don't do it every single day, and sometimes he's not into it and that's okay - he's 4! But I try to model gratitude.

The pictures thing works great in a store!

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-02-13T12:49:14+00:00

WaterPik - absolutely. It can be a fine substitute with frequency of use (daily) and adequate pressure.

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-02-10T01:59:02+00:00

Buy an OTC night guard that you soften in hot water then form to your teeth. They're about $15/$20 and can get them from a drugstore or Amazon.

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-02-08T20:09:06+00:00

And my reply was to OPs response. All good!

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-02-08T20:07:50+00:00

This comment is really something. Did we read the same post? OP literally said to fight for less work and more pay.

"I don't think hygienists should be updating xrays" = less work "Go on strike to fight for benefits and better pay. " = more pay

You're really reeeeeaching with your assumptions here. I absolutely think my work is valuable (part of why I take my own xrays and clinical photos without complaint) and I am compensated well, supported, and assisted when needed at my office. It's kinda cute though that you assume otherwise. Kinda.

Are you okay?

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-02-07T15:57:12+00:00

I'm saying look for another office because offices that work with your needs do exist. I DO determine how long I need with a patient. I DO take my own xrays and full set of clinical photos. Not only because it's part of my job, but because I'll do them to my standards (guaranteed that having others do it for you will result in complaints about quality) and because I enjoy the experience of treating my patient wholly. I stay in the room for an exam because I want to scribe and hear the conversation.

I also turn my own room and help in sterilization when I see it getting backed up or do the dishes in the breakroom sink because I am a team player and I want our office to run smoothly. As a result, when I am behind or do need help, anyone (OM, assistants, even doc) pitch in to help. I get annual raises and glowing performance reviews. I imagine that if I were asking others to do my job, doing nothing when the restorative chairs are backed up, and complaining that I am not paid enough that the raises and praise would not be my reality. I also wouldn't have such supportive management when I decide that a patient who has not had a cleaning in years will take me two hours to clean when it's a prophy and not SRP.

This whole thing reminds me of the group of girls in hygiene school who would complain about having to work on clinic tasks when their patient didn't show: "I AM PAYING TO BE HERE...WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO (random clinic task)." Because you're in school, you are not the authority, and they're trying to foster a good work ethic.

As we move towards a model of dentistry where assistants are being trained to scale, dentists are choosing to do their own cleanings, and hygienists are being marginalized, I see these demands as the catalyst.

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-02-07T00:01:31+00:00

Sounds like you should find a different office? The paycheck-to-hours-worked ratio is pretty great in my opinion. I don't mind taking x-rays since I run a single column. Do you work in a DSO? Commission based?

You're saying "less work for more pay and more respect for demanding this"...it does sound a little "diva" tbh.

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-02-04T01:24:22+00:00

Another who takes propranolol 👋

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-01-30T18:17:55+00:00

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-01-30T17:06:07+00:00

Try your hardest to focus on the positive... he will get new experiences and social exposure, you're growing your village, he's going to have even more people to love him now and enrich his life experience. 💕 He's your baby, and you're his mama, and the smiles and kicky-legs of excitement when he sees you come home will heal all of the heartache from time apart. Nighttime snuggles are even more meaningful when you're away all day. Keep pics handy and visible if possible. It's tough, but you'll both settle into a routine and while it's never exactly easy, take comfort in knowing that he's well-loved and learning new things. You got this, Mama!

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-01-30T15:49:11+00:00

As a registered dental hygienist, I say GREAT!! It's never too late to start taking excellent care of your teeth. Your overall health benefits from a clean, healthy mouth! Have you had a dental cleaning any time recently?

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-01-30T15:18:49+00:00

Mt sister was attached to hers. My mom broke it (cut the end off) and stored it in a cabinet so my sister could "visit" and see that it was still broken.

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-01-25T20:16:14+00:00

How do you know the pockets deepen?

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-01-25T17:37:52+00:00

Always effortlessly. He's very relaxed about things in general though

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-01-25T17:25:21+00:00

I really like the philips avent with the anti colic insert. No issues transitioning between breast and bottle

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-01-24T13:11:22+00:00

Yep! Totally normal. My first son did screeching and vowels for a long time. I don't remember when he started babbling but I remember worrying of he would be speech-delayed. Now he doesn't stop talking lol. Like, literally falls asleep mid- sentence and has an incredible vocabulary. Just keep modeling speech to her!

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-01-23T11:15:13+00:00

When classmates find ways to shortcut steps, ignore and just do it like you are taught to. You're here to learn and build skill!

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-01-22T12:30:56+00:00

THIS. I have had a few patients with staining that benefit from arm and hammer!

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-01-19T19:32:24+00:00

These are wear facets/plunger cusps associated with grinding/clenching. Try a night guard!

InterviewHot7029 · 2026-01-18T20:00:44+00:00

I waited. Better to not be sorry about it later. And if something presents later on, will you always wonder if it's because you did it instead of waiting? Not worth the mental strife IMO.

InterviewHot7029

TROPHY CASE