Stan Goff is a Managing Editor with MJH Life Sciences, which includes Dental Products Report, Dental Practice Management, Dental Lab Products, Modern Hygienist, and Dentist's Money Digest. He has covered the dental industry since 1999 and can be reached at sgoff@mjhlifesciences.com.  

PDA's 2025 Conference Strives to Enable Clinicians to Tap Into Practice Success | Image Credit: © Productive Dentist Academy

After a milestone 20th anniversary event this fall, theProductive Dentist Academy (PDA) has announced plans for its PDA Conference this spring from March 13-15, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency in Frisco, Texas.

The dental consulting and marketing firm invites dental professionals to “Tap In” to the highly anticipated 2-and-a-half-day event that brings together dental professionals who seek to increase productivity, optimize overhead, eliminate staff headaches, streamline patient communication, and re-energize the practice. The event strives to enable clinicians to give patients the care they deserve at a pace that doesn’t lead to burnout.

“For more than 20 years, PDA has helped guide dentists who face everything from scheduling woes to changing patient expectations,” says PDA Co-founder & CEO Victoria Peterson, S.s.D, in a press release. “At PDA, we believe that by building an Investment Grade Practice™, doctors can combine high productivity with high-quality patient care. This conference’s ‘Tap In’ theme reflects the proven tools, strategies, and frameworks attendees can get to overcome daily challenges, build resilience, and create meaningful patient relationships.”

Attendees will experience 2.5 days of focused workshops, insightful breakout sessions, and powerful networking opportunities to deliver immediate growth and long-term value. The March 2025 PDA Conference's all-encompassing curriculum can help dental professionals:

Streamline workflows, optimize schedules, and achieve higher profitability to elevate the patient experience and reduce clinician burnout.

: Learn to cultivate authentic patient relationships, increase case acceptance, and build long-term loyalty.

: Discover the mindset and methods that foster a thriving team culture, align practice goals with personal values, and inspire employee accountability.

The Hyatt Regency in Frisco, Texas, offers attendees a premium experience, with easy access to the Stonebriar Centre’s dining and entertainment options. The 

 took place September 12-14 at the Hyatt Regency in Frisco, and it marked the academy’s 20th anniversary. 

PDA Kicks Off 20th Anniversary in Grand Style

“When doctors leave our conference, they're ready to implement changes on Monday morning,” adds PDA Co-founder Bruce B. Baird, DDS. “They return home with concrete strategies for sustainable growth and the communication skills to strengthen patient relationships and team dynamics.”

 PDA announced a new Alliance Partner Program,

 a partnership with several innovative companies dedicated to advancing dental practice productivity and patient care.

Registration is now open:Doctors can register for $2,195, and team members for $1,495. Flexible payment options are available. To reserve a spot, visit 

www.productivedentist.com/March2025Conference/

 or call PDA VP of Client Services Brent Hogan, at 800-757-6077 ext. 135.

For more information about Productive Dentist Academy or the PDA Conference, please visit 

PDA is an award-winning dental business and marketing consulting firm based in Anacortes, WA. Founded in 2004, employee-owned PDA empowers thousands of dentists internationally so they can make confident decisions as a leader, re-engage their passion, and achieve financial and personal satisfaction.

Articles

The first major PDA event of the new year, March 13-15, 2025, is designed to empower dental professionals to achieve career excellence and personal fulfillment.

Productive Dentist Academy’s 2025 Conference Strives to Enable Clinicians to Tap Into Practice Success

Gavi Cohn is a partner at Apex Reimbursement Specialists, a dental practice revenue cycle and practice management consulting firm headquartered in Baltimore, MD.

5 Steps to Ensure Your Practice’s Dental Billing is Accurate | Image Credit: © Andrey Popov – stock.adobe.com

Accurate dental billing is the backbone of any successful dental practice. It not only ensures a steady cash flow but also improves patient satisfaction and ensures compliance with insurance provider requirements.

Inaccurate billing, on the other hand, can lead to revenue loss, poor patient retention, and even legal consequences. How can you ensure that accurate dental billing is prioritized at your dental practice?

Here are 5 steps you should take to see to it that your practice is getting the most out of its dental billing processes.

1. Choose the Right Software or Billing Partner

The right dental billing software can significantly reduce human error and streamline the billing process. We can help guide you through a variety of billing solutions that offer features like claim scrubbing and real-time eligibility verification. Features like these can help you catch errors before you submit claims and ensure that all necessary information is included.

2. Train Everyone in Your Dental Practice

The foundation of accurate dental billing is a well-trained staff. This includes administrative staff, billing coordinators, and even dentists! Every worker in your dental practice needs to understand how their work factors into your dental billing processes. For staff members who are in charge of billing, regular training sessions on the latest billing codes, insurance policies, and billing software updates are important to keep your team proficient and up to date.

Regular internal and annual third-party audits are also important for identifying and correcting billing errors. Audits are a great way to uncover common mistakes, such as incorrect patient information, missing signatures, or incorrect codes. By identifying these issues early and determining what is causing them in the first place, you can take corrective actions to prevent them from happening again. You can only address problems if you know that they exist in the first place.

4. Streamline Collecting Patient Information

Accurate billing is only possible when you have the correct patient information on file. Make sure that your practice has a streamlined process for collecting and confirming patient information. Patient information includes details like the patient’s name and date of birth, insurance information, and anything else that may be relevant for billing. Make sure that you confirm information before your patient shows up for their appointment and again at the appointment, just in case anything has changed.

5. Keep Billing Policies Clear and Accessible

Clearly explaining the billing process to patients is important, as many people do not know what to expect. Are you going to collect their obligation at their appointment or via an invoice later? Answering basic questions like this in advance reduces confusion and improves the dental billing process. Additionally, having clear billing policies can help both your staff and patients understand the billing process. Your policies should cover payment due dates, insurance handling, patient responsibilities, and steps for dispute resolution. Make sure these policies are easily accessible on your website.

[Editor's Note: The author, Gavi Cohn, is a partner at Apex Reimbursement Specialists, a dental practice revenue cycle and practice management consulting firm headquartered in Baltimore, MD. He writes regularly for 

, and you can read “How Improving Your Billing Can Improve the Patient Experience at Your Dental Practice” by 

Whether you’re looking for a way to make the insurance verification process easier or hoping to improve your overall patient communication plan, companies like APEX Reimbursement Specialists can help.

For additional articles focusing on practice management and financial matters related to dentists, visit 

Optimal cash flow, patient experiences, and insurance compliance can all benefit from producing the best dental billing processes.

5 Steps to Ensure Your Practice’s Dental Billing is Accurate

Dental AI Is Big in 2024 and Its Potential Appears Even Bigger

Not to anyone’s surprise, artificial intelligence (AI) has made a big splash in the dental industry in 2024 and we can only expect more of the same going forward as the technology gets better and the capabilities expand.

 unveiled the Cellerant Best of Class Technology Awards last month, there were 14 companies honored in addition to a category winner—Dental AI. Paul Feuerstein, DMD, said this in his summary of AI: “In dentistry, there are several areas in which we are able to use this technology, including reading radiographs, planning and following orthodontic treatment, and even analyzing phone conversations.”

When talking about diagnosis, he adds: “The beauty of the products is that a dentist can walk into a hygiene room and, at a glance, see all of the possibilities of areas that might be of concern. It is imperative that the dentist and hygienist use this information as a guide but not a final diagnosis.”

Long before Cellerant named Dental AI a category winner when the 2024 wards were announced, we kicked off the New Year with a pair of articles on the topic.

Do I Need AI to Do My Job? | Image Credit: © Adisak – stock.adobe.com

“Do I Need AI to Do My Job?” was published on the DPR website on January 31. In this article, it notes that today’s technology can help clinicians make diagnoses, plan treatments, and run practices more efficiently, but some tasks will always require the human touch and experience. So, no, AI is not going to make dentists go away.

Lorne Lavine, DMD, founder and president of The Digital Dentist, states that AI is already a big part of dentistry in terms of administrative tasks and when it comes to diagnostics and predictive analytics, but he adds, “I think it’s also important to understand that there are some limitations.”

Also included in the feature are Florian Hillen, CEO of VideaHealth, Monique Kramer, CEO and founder of Dental SaaS Consulting, Planet DDS CEO Eric Giesecke, and Owandy Radiology Vice President of Sales and Marketing Boris Loyez.

These industry leaders share their thoughts on how advances in technology are helping clinicians and practices work more efficiently and how they expect AI to continue to play a bigger role in the near future.

In the February issue of DPR, Chief Dental Editor and Technology Editor John Flucke, DDS, wrote about this topic in his Technology Evangelist column, “Is Artificial Intelligence in 2024 a Need or a Want?”

Is Artificial Intelligence in 2024 a Need or a Want? Image credit: © Pavel Ignatov – stock.adobe.com 

In that article he sums things up by saying: “AI has incredible potential. However, we need to consider all the repercussions of these new systems as they are designed and ultimately implemented. I have no doubt that AI will help humanity accomplish amazing things and help amazing numbers of people. However, I welcome those naysayers or those who see a potential for adversity with it. We must consider all the angles and make sure we are doing the right thing. AI and machine learning are going to allow us to amplify the great things our profession can do.”

In the printed pages of DPR this past year and on the website were several articles and news releases about AI. They include advances in software, partnerships with group practices looking to run more efficiently, and steps taken to diagnose and treat patients better.

to read some of these previous articles but know that there will be plenty more updates on AI’s impact on oral health soon.

Artificial intelligence continues to make strides in diagnostics and administration in the dental industry and we can expect much more in the coming days.

VITA’s Latest Furnace Designed for All Dental Firing Ceramic Requirements | Image Credit: © VITA North America

VITA North America’s new VITA VACUMAT 6100 M furnace is a fully-automatic, microprocessor-controlled firing unit that is well suited for all dental firing ceramic requirements. The company today announced this addition to its line of tried and tested furnaces.

The optimized electronics of the unit are designed to enable even more precise results, ensuring a consistently high quality of dental work and increased efficiency in the laboratory. The simple operation, the preinstalled programs and the space-saving design have all been retained, according to the manufacturer.

The new furnace is said to provide optimal quality and esthetics, and offers outstanding firing results, user safety and convenience. Thanks to is ergonomically optimized design, the furnace only requires a minimal footprint. Two integrated cooling trays support safe storage of fired objects.

Innovative new materials are used in the combustion chamber of the VITA VACUMAT 6100 M to ensure even more homogeneous heat distribution. A durable firing muffle and reliable electronics are designed to provide consistently strong firing results. The furnace also offers a wide range of monitoring and service programs—automatic temperature adjustment before every start, tempearature and vacuum control and a counter for operating hours of firing muffles—to maximize working comfort, safety and efficiency. A new feature, the linear cooling with simulation of the object temperature, is said to ensure safe and precise firing results by providing even and controlled cooling.

VITA, a leading provider of innovative dental products, is the company that pioneered the field of tooth shade determination with the development of the world-renowned VITA classical A1-D4®shade guide and its proprietary VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER®. From denture teeth and veneering materials, to digital shade measurement, furnaces and CAD/CAM restorations, the company strives to help laboratory technicians and clinicians deliver high quality and esthetic results to patients quickly and efficiently.

The VITA VACUMAT® 6100 M combines proven quality standards with new innovative technologies and a space-saving design.

VITA’s Latest Furnace Designed for All Dental Firing Ceramic Requirements

DentiMax Flow is an innovative browser-based practice management software.

DentiMax Flow from DentiMax

The Loop™ Curing Light features a revolutionary closed-loop algorithm that dynamically adjusts light output to deliver the exact energy needed for a perfect cure every time.

Loop™ Curing Light from Garrison Dental Solutions

IRIS from Overjet

Rodin® Glaze N2-Free and Rodin® Palette N2-Free Naturalizing Kit have been designed for surface detailing across a wide range of dental restorations, including hybrid ceramics, PMMA resins, and CAD/CAM composites, ensuring compatibility with various workflows. 

Rodin® Glaze N2-Free and Rodin® Palette N2-Free Naturalizing Kit from Pac-Dent

VOCO America’s V-Print dentbase is a new permanent denture 3D printing resin for the production of removable permanent dentures. 

V-Print dentbase from VOCO America

All the latest product launches from the week of November 4-8, 2024.


New Dental Products – November 4-8, 2024

VOCO America Introduces New V-Print dentbase | Image Credit: © VOCO America, Inc

VOCO America has launched V-Print dentbase, a new permanent denture 3D printing resin for the production of removable permanent dentures. The 3D print resin is sedimentation-free, thus requires no shaking or rolling prior to use.

V-Print dentbase comes in a natural gingival-shaded resin, can be polished to a high gloss, and results in esthetic denture bases with high patient satisfaction, according to VOCO. The material also is biocompatible with FDA 510k clearance, tasteless and odorless for patient comfort and it features a high green state strength that ensures dimensional stability after removal from the platform.

V-print dentbase is compatible with all resins for characterization and with all standard reline materials for repairs, including the company’s award winning Ufi Gel reliners. Furthermore, it is validated for a variety of quality 3D printers, including those from Asiga, Dental Wings, RapidShape, Microlay, MiiCraft, Ackuretta, Shera, Straumann. And as with other V-Print resins, it is included in the design software from 3Shape and Exocad.

The 3D Printing Resin is an FDA 510k-cleared sedimentation-free permanent denture light-cured resin.

VOCO America Introduces New V-Print dentbase

Katrina M Sanders RDH, BSDH, M.Ed, RF, is a graduate and recipient of countless awards from the University of Minnesota’s School of Dentistry Division of Dental Hygiene. She is proud to currently serve on the alumni society for one of the most prestigious dental schools in the country. Katrina’s professional career emerged as an educator when she attained full-time employment with a career college in Phoenix, Arizona. A physical manifestation of Katrina’s commitment to her profession is in the development of her textbook, "Introduction to the Dental Hygiene Profession." Katrina proudly received her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with distinction through Northern Arizona University as a Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society distinguished member. Currently, Katrina is a distinguished speaker with Dental Hygiene Culture as she lectures nationally in a variety of dental hygiene continuing education content.

Katrina Sanders, RDH, is live at DS World 2024. 

DS World 2024 Interview with Katrina Sanders, RDH

Videos

At DS World 24, Floss & Flip Flops host and dental hygiene expert Katrina Sanders, RDH, discusses what is most exciting on the horizon for dentistry. [1 minute]

Thomas Jackson, DDS, to Introduce Smyles Above Innovations During “The Great Oral Health Pitch” at GNYDM | Image Credit: © Smyles Above Innovations Inc

Thomas Jackson, a practicing periodontist, prosthodontist, and successful inventor, recently founded Smyles Above Innovations Inc, a company dedicated to developing and commercializing leading-edge dental devices and oral care products that support the continuum of dental implant success from placement to maintenance, and advanced flossing tools for hard to access oral appliances.

Dr Jackson will formally introduce Smyles Above Innovations during The Shils Entrepreneurial Fund’s “Great Oral Health Pitch,” which is taking place at the 2024 Greater New York Dental Meeting on Monday, December 2, starting at 2:30 pm.

Smyles Above was established to incorporate my 2 existing products, IrriGUIDE and The AutoFlosser, under 1 corporate umbrella to create more effective synergy and salability across our branding, operations and sales and to make our company more efficient and more attractive to investors,” he states in a press release.

Dr Jackson’s goal for additional funding is to invest in additional product development and to expand the sales and marketing support of his 2 existing and well-received product innovations:

: An easy-to-install retrofit adapter developed by Dr Jackson for any dental implant surgical guide system. IrriGUIDE enables saline to flow through the guide and directly irrigate and cool the implant osteotomy to keep it below the critical temperature threshold of 47°.

“The IrriGUIDE System ensures the best chance of osseointegration by preserving vital bone. It’s a great contribution to guided surgery,” adds, Brian Vence, DDS.

A unique dental floss solution specifically designed by Dr Jackson to alleviate flossing difficulties for all-on-X patients and anyone who has been fitted with connected or solid appliances such as implants, bridges, braces, and bonded retainers.

Hygiene KOL Lynn Pencek, RDH, adds, “The AutoFlosser helps patients easily direct floss in the harder-to-reach areas. It is ideal for patients with poor dexterity.”

For more details on The AutoFlosser, visit 

In addition to expanding awareness and market share for IrriGUIDE and The AutoFlosser, Dr Jackson intends to use investor funding to fully commercialize several other inventions and business model plans that he has in the pipeline. “My long-term goal for Smyles Above is to be a respected launchpad of innovative clinical and consumer solutions for the advancement of better oral health,” he states.

Interested investors and distributors can contact Dr Jackson directly at tjackson@SmylesAbove.com

Founded in 2024 in Barrington, Illinois, the company is dedicated to developing and launching leading-edge dental devices and oral care products.

The new company’s innovations include the IrriGUIDE™ adapter for irrigating implant surgical guides, and The AutoFlosser™ flossing solution. 


Thomas Jackson, DDS, to Introduce Smyles Above Innovations During “The Great Oral Health Pitch” at GNYDM

DentiMax Introduces New Browser-Based Cloud Software | Image Credit: © DentiMax

DentiMax has officially launched its DentiMax Flow innovative browser-based practice management software designed to transform the way dental practices operate. Built to meet the dynamic needs of modern dental offices, the new software gives dental professionals access to their entire software suite, including appointments, patient records, billing, reports, SMS, documents, and more from any device that has an internet connection.

With over 20 years of experience in dental software development, the dental technology solutions company first unveiled DentiMax Flow at the company’s recent 

This launch is a major advancement in the company’s product offerings, combining seamless cloud accessibility with a powerful, friendly interface, states DentiMax, a trusted partner for thousands of dental practices. 

The software provides access to the entire software suite for dental professionals, including appointments, patient records, billing, reports, SMS, documents, and more from any device that has an internet connection. | Image Credit: © DentiMax

“DentiMax Flow is the culmination of years of hard work and listening closely to our clients' needs,” Lee Varney, co-founder and CTO of DentiMax, says in a press release. “With DentiMax Flow, we have created a solution that not only increases efficiency but also enhances the patient experience. It’s a flexible, scalable platform that grows with practices, big or small, and makes the day-to-day operations of running a dental office easier.”

Starting out at $199 per month, DentiMax Flow is available with additional pricing options tailored to meet the needs of practices of all sizes, the company says. DentiMax is also offering demonstrations and onboarding support to ensure a smooth transition for new clients.

Accessible from virtually any device, including smart phones, Macs, PCs, iPads, tablets and any other device that has a web browser.

Insightful dashboard that provides KPIs and facilitates your front and back-office workflow in a way that mirrors your patient experience.

Easy-to-use design that allows the staff to complete complex tasks, like sending claims with attachments or digital referrals, in a friendly manner.

Complete feature set that includes appointments scheduling, treatment planning, clinical notes, insurance eligibility, credit cards processing, customizable reports, comprehensive analytics and much more.

At the Dental Tech Summit, DentiMax President & Founder David Arnett, along with Varney and Chad Camac, explained the features of the new Flow software, a product that has been in development for 5 years and one that required DentiMax to add additional developers to its team of imaging and software experts.

For more information about DentiMax Flow or to schedule a demo, visit 

DentiMax Flow practice management software is designed to transform the way dental practices operate, and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.

DentiMax Introduces New Browser-Based Cloud Software

Caitlin Parsons is a RDH of 15 years and chronic pain survivor turned Certified Yoga Therapist and Ergonomic Consultant for dental professionals. Caitlin helps dental professionals prevent, reduce and overcome workplace pain, manage stress, and optimize their health so they can thrive in and out of the office. She is passionate about helping dental professionals and teams optimize their health to provide better patient care and become better clinicians through her in-person and online programs, speaking, writing team experiences, and her podcast, The Aligned Hygienist (

5 Morning Habits to Reduce Stress and Burnout for Dental Professionals | Image Credit: © PheelingsMedia - stock.adobe.com

Dental professionals know firsthand the toll that stress, long hours, and physical demands can take. Nearly half of us report symptoms of burnout, fatigue, and discomfort—all linked to chronic stress, which activates the body’s sympathetic nervous system, leaving us depleted.¹⁻²

But what if small, intentional changes in your morning routine could transform how you feel throughout the day? Simple self-care moments each morning can help us recharge, build resilience, and start our day grounded and ready to care for both our patients and ourselves.

One of the simplest ways to start your day is by catching morning sunlight outside. Science shows that sunlight exposure in the morning helps regulate our circadian rhythm, boosting alertness and mood while setting the stage for restful sleep at night. Light exposure early in the day signals your brain that it’s time to be awake and focused. Research indicates that people exposed to natural morning light report better sleep quality, improved mood, and greater energy throughout the day.³

Try stepping outside with your coffee or tea or standing by a sunny window. Just 5 minutes can make a difference. I like to step outside while my coffee is brewing and do simple stretches (arms overhead, lateral bends, forward fold, and chest opener). This simple act of stepping outside to get some sunlight brightens your mood and can also help you feel more energized and centered as you enter a busy day in the op, ready to handle whatever comes your way.

We all know the toll dental work takes on our bodies. Waking up with gentle, intentional movement can relieve tension and prepare you for a physically demanding day. Research shows that yoga and stretching reduce stress and pain, activating the parasympathetic nervous system to keep us calm and centered.⁴⁻⁵

Start your day with a few stretches in bed, easing into movement before your feet even hit the ground. These gentle poses will help release any lingering tension from the night and prepare you for your work’s physical demands. Here are a few easy stretches you can do right in bed:

: Bring your knees into your chest and place your palms on your knees. Inhale to extend your arms, moving the knees slightly away from your body, then exhale to draw the knees back in. This pose helps release tension in the lower back and supports digestion.

: Lie on your back and bring your legs up against the wall or lift them up. Stay here for a few minutes. This pose improves circulation, helps calm the nervous system, and aligns the spine, making it soothing and rejuvenating.

: Lie on your back, bring your knees into your chest, and open your arms into a “T” position. Exhale as you gently lower your legs to one side, take a few deep breaths, then switch sides. Twists relieve tension along the spine and aid digestion, which can be especially beneficial for morning energy.

: Lie flat, remove any pillow behind your head, and exhale as you lift your hips into a bridge position. Inhale at the top, and exhale as you slowly release. Bridge Pose opens the chest and hip flexors, activates the core, and helps balance the nervous system.

These simple movements, done mindfully, set the tone for a day with less pain and more ease.

Hydration is essential for mental clarity, physical resilience, and stress management. Starting your morning with a glass of water—before reaching for coffee—kickstarts your metabolism, aids digestion, and counteracts the dehydrating effects of a long night’s rest. Studies link proper hydration to improved mood, mental clarity, and even reduced physical pain by supporting joint lubrication and muscle function.⁶⁻⁷

Consider keeping a glass of water by your bed or making it the first step in your morning routine. By beginning your day hydrated, you’re giving your body the foundational support it needs for the demands ahead. This small act helps you start the day refreshed, resilient, and clear-minded.

#4–Breathe Deeply with a Simple Practice


Incorporating breathwork or meditation into your morning routine is an easy way to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and center yourself before the day begins. Research highlights breathwork as an effective tool for reducing anxiety, lowering blood pressure, and enhancing focus by bringing the body into a restful state.8 Here’s a simple breathing technique to try:

: Inhale for a count of 4 hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4, and repeat several rounds, focusing on the gentle rhythm of your breath.

Taking just a few minutes to breathe intentionally sets the tone for a calmer, more centered day. Breathwork helps create a buffer between you and any stressors, giving you the calm you need to stay focused and flexible throughout your day of patient care.

How we start our day matters, including what we focus on first.Research shows that immediately engaging with technology and social media can increase stress and activate the sympathetic nervous system, pulling us into “fight or flight” mode.⁹⁻¹º By delaying screen time and avoiding notifications first, we help support the parasympathetic state that supports calm, clarity, and mental focus

Consider leaving your phone in another room or keeping it in “Do Not Disturb” mode until ready. This concept is known as a “digital sunrise.” It’s an intentional approach to ease into your day with awareness. Starting your morning free of digital distractions can improve your energy and presence throughout the day.

Integrating these small habits into your morning isn’t about adding more to your to-do list. Think of them as gentle shifts toward the ease and presence we all crave. Experiment with 1 or 2 practices that resonate with you and notice how each day unfolds with more calm and balance.

As dental professionals, staying grounded and present helps us serve our patients well. When we start the day calm and centered, we’re better equipped to handle daily stresses with resilience and compassion. Try these habits and observe any shifts in your mood, energy, or focus over the coming weeks. Small changes can make a big difference, and every dental professional deserves to feel balanced, energized, and ready to bring their best self to each day.

1. Malcolm N, Boyd L, Giblin-Scanlon L, Vineyard J. Occupational stressors of dental hygienists in the United States. 

. 2020;65(3):517-524. doi:10.3233/WOR-203106

2. American Dental Association. 2021 Dentist Well-Being Survey Report. Updated 2/01/2022. Accessed October 2023. 

https://ebusiness.ada.org/Assets/docs/101863.pdf

3.Riemersma-van der Lek RF. Effect of Bright Light and Melatonin on Cognitive and Noncognitive Function in Elderly Residents of Group Care Facilities. 

. 2008;299(22):2642. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.299.22.2642

4‌ .Harvard health publishing. Yoga for better mental health. Harvard Health. Published June 12, 2021. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/yoga-for-better-mental-health

‌5. NCCIH. Yoga for health: What the science says. NCCIH. Published February 2020. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/yoga-for-health-science

‌6. Armstrong LE, Ganio MS, Casa DJ, et al. Mild dehydration affects mood in healthy young women. 

. 2012;142(2):382-388. doi:10.3945/jn.111.142000

7. Mayo Clinic. Water: How much should you drink every day? Mayo Clinic. Published October 14, 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256

‌8. Brown RP, Gerbarg PL. Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part II—Clinical Applications and Guidelines. 

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

. 2005;11(4):711-717. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2005.11.711

9‌. Duke É, Montag C. Smartphone addiction, daily interruptions and self-reported productivity. 

. 2017;6(6):90-95. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2017.07.002

10. Thorisdottir IE, Sigurvinsdottir R, Kristjansson AL, Allegrante JP, Lilly CL, Sigfusdottir ID. Longitudinal association between social media use and psychological distress among adolescents. 

. 2020;141:106270. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106270

Caitlin Parsons, RDH, C-IAYT, CEAS, is a practicing dental hygienist, yoga therapist, ergonomics expert, and the founder of The Aligned Hygienist. She is a writer, public speaker, consultant, podcast host, and content creator. Caitlin specializes in ergonomics, yoga therapy, pain prevention, stress management, and burnout for dental professionals, teams, and organizations, and can be reached at Hello@TheAlignedHygienist.com Author Contact: hello@thealignedhygienist | 

Look to recharge and build resilience each day by starting grounded and ready to care for both our patients and ourselves.