Once flooded with too many graduates, the dental hygiene profession now faces a national workforce shortage driven by attrition, burnout, and undervaluation. As legislative changes loom and key voices go unheard, it’s time for hygienists to…

A major systematic review confirms that school fluoride varnish delivery programs significantly reduce tooth decay and narrow oral health disparities among children at high risk. The findings support national expansion of school-based…

The New York legislature has sent a bill to the governor that, if signed, would allow dental hygienists to work without direct supervision under a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed dentist. The proposed legislation could…

Hali Householder, RDH, BSPH, OMT, of Greenwood, Indiana, has been practicing dental hygiene since 2012 and is now an orofacial myofunctional therapist with her own business, Indy Myo. She is also the winner of the March Sunstar Ebrief…

Leigh Anne Tucker, RDH, a clinical dental hygienist for more than 30 years, is the winner of the April Sunstar Ebrief Giveaway! Tucker who shares a small sheep farm with working border collies with her husband of nearly 30 years in…

Terry Rasmussen started her career scaling teeth, not corporate ladders. Today, she leads Thrivent, a Fortune 500 financial services firm managing nearly $200 billion in assets, proving that clinical skills, curiosity, and values-based…

Scientists are developing three-dimensional-printed bone grafts infused with inflammation-resolving molecules to regenerate bone faster and more effectively in patients with periodontitis. This bioengineering breakthrough could transform…

Routine dental care is nearly nonexistent in Nebraska’s overcrowded prisons, where tooth extractions are often the only treatment option. With limited staffing and long wait times, incarcerated individuals face preventable pain and oral…

In an act of gratitude, a patient hand carved a lifelike molar from alabaster and gifted it to his dentist who turned the heartfelt gesture into a lasting tribute at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. This meaningful artwork now inspires…

This innovative nonprofit is redefining professional support and access-to-care advocacy for dental hygienists in Florida. By prioritizing inclusion, transparency, and systemic change, the alliance is making oral health equity a reality,…