From executive appointments to state legislative updates, here are six dental hygiene-related updates that Becker's has reported on since Jan. 3:
1. Kimberly Jones, Aspen Dental's new vice president of hygiene operations, spoke with Becker's to discuss her new role, the challenges facing dental hygienists and how dental organizations can best support them.
2. Edward Feins, DMD, spoke with Becker's about how staffing and scheduling challenges have led hygiene services to be less profitable for dental practices.
3. The New York City-based NYU College of Dentistry is launching a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene with a concentration in dental science.
4. The Wisconsin Senate and State Assembly both passed a legislative package, which includes a bill that would ratify the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Interstate Compact, allowing dentists and dental hygienists from other member states to practice dentistry in Wisconsin.
5. Dental hygienist was recently ranked among 28 best healthcare support jobs in the U.S. for 2024 by U.S. News & World Report.
6. Dental practices in Minnesota are facing major scheduling backlogs, mainly due to the lack of available dental hygienists.