A national poll finds more than one in three children have experienced oral health problems in the past 2 years, closely tied to inconsistent self-care. The findings reinforce the critical role dental hygienists play in improving adherence,…

Under the vision of Brionna Watson, MPA, RDH, the Community College of Baltimore County is launching a first-of-its-kind virtual reality dental hygiene lab, bringing immersive simulation to clinical training.

AB 1952 proposes the development of an alternative licensure process for internationally trained dentists to work as dental hygienists in California. Now more than ever, dental hygienists must advocate for their profession, and California…

The United States Coast Guard has partnered with the University of Minnesota to integrate dental therapists into its healthcare delivery model. The 5-year initiative aims to address provider shortages, strengthen operational readiness, and…

Dental hygienist wages climbed again in 2025, with national averages nearing $49 per hour and top markets pushing well above $65.

As evidence links oral health with mental illness and substance use disorders, oral health professionals are uniquely positioned to screen for these serious health issues.

California’s AB 1952 would allow internationally trained dentists to become licensed dental hygienists without completing a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program. While supporters cite workforce shortages, dental hygienists argue the…

The Indian Health Service will phase out mercury-containing dental amalgam fillings by 2027, accelerating a shift already underway across dentistry. The move aligns federal tribal health care with global mercury reduction efforts while…

Congratulations to the December winner of the Sunstar eBrief Giveaway, Shanin Peck, RDH, MA, ECPII. A professor and senior clinical coordinator at Wichita State University (WSU) in Kansas, she is a proud first-generation college graduate…

1.3 million Americans went to Mexico for care. Here’s why oral health professionals should be paying attention.