Reconnecting Practicing Hygienists with the Nation's Leading Educators and Researchers.

Author

Melanie Simmer-Beck, RDH, PhD

Melanie Simmer-Beck, RDH, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Public Health and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. She is also the project director of Miles of Smiles, a school-based oral health program. In 2013, she was selected to serve as an ambassador for the American Dental Association's Dental Quality Alliance. Simmer-Beck's publications and research interests include measuring dental quality improvement, program evaluation, placebased care, special patient care, service learning, advanced instrumentation, and ergonomics. She is also a member of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene's Peer Review Panel.

Perspectives

Caring for Kids

Oct 1, 2014

Place-based care in schools is an additional practice setting for dental hygienists.

Miscellaneous

Providing Care to Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Mar 4, 2014

Dental hygienists can help improve these patients’ oral health, comfort, and function, as well as their quality of life.

Miscellaneous

Providing Care to Individuals With Special Healthcare Needs

May 25, 2010

The oral health care provider’s guide to successfully treating special-needs patients.

Instrumentation

Instrumentation Without Pain

Nov 16, 2009

Strategies to improve the ergonomics of scaling and root planing.

Ergonomics

Visual Acuity Without Injury

Sep 17, 2009

Reduce your risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders with magnification loupes and co-axial illumination.

Ergonomics

Personal Assessment

Apr 13, 2009

Determining your individual musculoskeletal risk and identifying potential problems can help prevent common work-related injuries.

Ergonomics

Posture Perfect

May 2, 2005

Noting harmful chair side postures through assessment and observation and making necessary adjustments can make the difference in maintaining a healthy career in dental hygiene.