So You Want to Be a Dental Hygienist

Posted on October 24, 2025October 16, 2025 by Lisa Nitkowski, RDH

I have always referred to the dental hygiene profession as a hidden gem. Most people don’t truly understand what it means to be a dental hygienist — how special this profession is, not just for those of us who practice it, but for everyone we encounter along the way; whether they are our patients, teammates, or professional colleagues. When I entered dentistry twenty years ago as a dental assistant with no experience and no family background in healthcare, other than regular visits to my den...

A Game-Changing Preceptorship in Nashville: Your Invitation to Transform Patient Care

Posted on August 15, 2025September 4, 2025 by Dr. Bradley Bale and Dr. Amy Doneen

The world of preventative medicine is evolving—and once again, the BaleDoneen Method® is a leader in the space. We're excited to share an upcoming continuing education opportunity hosted by BaleDoneen. If you’re a healthcare provider driven by purpose and passion, you won’t want to miss the upcoming BaleDoneen Preceptorship, happening October 9–11, 2025, in vibrant Nashville, Tennessee at the Southwestern Conference Center. This isn't just another continuing education opportunity. It’s a ...

Why I Teach Salivary Testing as a Dental Hygiene Instructor

Posted on August 16, 2019May 20, 2021 by Lisa Proffitt, RDH, BS

I am a dental hygienist and have spent most of my career in a periodontal practice. Most recently I split my time at Dr. Steven Peiser’s office and serve as a faculty member at Goodwin College in Connecticut teaching Oral Pathology to dental hygiene students. It has been so exciting to teach this course and share my knowledge and experience. Specifically, I most enjoy teaching about the relationship of pathogenic bacteria to the oral-systemic link which is crucial to understand wh...