Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, C4S Speaker
Dental Hygiene Track
All courses are part of the Dental Hygiene Track.
- Friday Morning – Creating Long-Lasting Patient Outcomes: No Scaler Required
- Friday Afternoon – Prevention: The Hollow Leg of Dentistry
Course Details
Creating Long-Lasting Patient Outcomes: No Scaler Required
For quite some time, the role of a dental hygienist has been primarily centered around calculus removal. However, it’s essential to question the rationale behind this focus. Is calculus truly the cause of dental disease?
Taking a step back from our routine scale, polish, and floss procedures, we must critically examine why we use a scaler on the tooth and whether polishing away stains may have unintended consequences.
Instead, what if we reevaluate our patient care process, with behavior change and motivation taking precedence during appointments?
Shifting our approach to prioritize coaching the patient first, alongside disease prevention based on at-home biofilm management and other factors, could lead to positive change we seek.
In this course, we will explore alternative therapeutic approaches to patient treatment, emphasizing the game of helping patients prevent dental disease.
Course Objectives:
- Review the traditional dental hygiene appointment vs. prevention-focused approach.
- Describe and discuss the idea of biofilm management.
- Review motivational interviewing techniques for improving patient behaviors.
- Explore patient products for at-home biofilm management.
- Addressing barriers to care: DEI and trauma considerations.
Prevention: The Hollow Leg of Dentistry
The profession of dental hygiene has its roots in the principle of prevention. However, it’s essential to pause and reevaluate whether we are effectively preventing dental disease for our patients.
Do our routines prioritize prevention as much as they do treatment? Managing biofilm is crucial, both in-office and at-home, and dedicating more focus to this aspect during patient care could be a game-changer.
What if we revamped our approach and placed behavior change and motivation at the forefront of each appointment? Shifting the paradigm and prioritizing coaching the patient first, before therapeutic procedures like air powder polishing based on assessment and diagnosis, could significantly promote prevention over treatment.
By achieving the objectives, dental professionals can renew their commitment to prevention and gain valuable insights into incorporating innovative techniques like Guided Biofilm Therapy and motivational strategies into their patient care approach.
Emphasizing prevention over treatment can have a profound impact on patients’ oral health and overall well-being.
Course Objectives
- Discuss the concept of guided biofilm therapy.
- Compare the powders and techniques used for air polishing procedures.
- Review motivational techniques for improved patient outcomes.
About the Speaker
Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH is a practicing dental hygienist, educator, and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in the dental field. She began her career as a dental assistant and then a dental hygienist earning a bachelor’s degree in health science from the Medical University of South Carolina, followed by a Master’s degree in dental hygiene education from the University of Bridgeport. Her commitment to excellence is demonstrated by ongoing professional development, including earning a Certificate in Dental Infection Prevention and Control, Myofunctional Therapy, Interim Restorative Therapies, and Neuromodulators.
Michelle is the founder of MichelleStrangeRDH and Level Up Infection Prevention, two platforms dedicated to empowering dental professionals through education, hands-on resources, and practical strategies for success in clinical care and compliance. Most recently, she became the proud owner of SmileLogic, a dental hygiene practice in Colorado that delivers value-based, patient-centered care. With a unique blend of clinical expertise and entrepreneurial drive, Michelle continues to elevate the profession — bridging education, innovation, and real-world application.
