A driving force of ethics
Kevin Ohashi Lopez, MHA, BSDH, RDH, faced an unexpected event soon after becoming an RDH. A patient filed a formal complaint complaint about him when he performed an extraoral exam on her. She claimed that he touched her inappropriately. She was a standing patient, and he was surprised she'd never had the exam. The doctor did not defend Kevin, and he figured out quickly the dental practice was not where he wanted to stay.
He asked around, and was told by other hygienists, "That's just the way we do things outside of school." He continued to inquire, and encountered one RDH who suggested he might want to pursue interests outside the op. Today he's a speaker, ambassador, mentor, guided biofilm therapy trainer with the Swiss Dental Academy, and NBDHE review faculty with Sanders Board Preparatory.
Through his work, Kevin stressed the importance of ethics in the profession. He strongly believes dental hygienists should build on their foundation in ethics and continue ethical practices after they graduate in the operatory.
If you ever experience any ethical issues, remember that you aren't alone. Reach out to your fellow hygienists for support, and follow Kevin on Instagram @kevstalksteeth.
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About the podcast
RDH Magazine Podcast is the community of voices you love from RDH magazine, brought to your podcast feed every week. You can expect to gain education and have the RDH magazine community in your ears to complement the content you enjoy online and in print each month.
About the Author
Kevin Ohashi Lopez, MHA, BSDH, RDHKevin Ohashi Lopez, MHA, BSDH, RDH
Kevin Ohashi Lopez, MHA, BSDH, RDH, is a dental hygienist, educator, speaker, and content creator based in Southern California. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from West Coast University and later completed a Master of Health Administration. Kevin currently serves at West Coast University as adjunct dental hygiene faculty and works across clinical education, professional events, and social media strategy within the dental industry. His work focuses on advancing evidence-based preventive care, modernizing the dental hygiene experience, and creating meaningful connections between clinicians, education, and innovation. Connect with him on Instagram at @kevstalksteeth or via email at [email protected].
Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDHJackie Sanders, MBA, RDH
Chief Editor, RDH magazine
Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH, is a respected dental industry leader with more than 40 years of experience in dental hygiene, marketing, and professional relations. As chief editor of RDH, she is dedicated to advancing the dental profession through education, innovation, and collaboration. Prior to this role, she served as manager of professional relations and communications for Sunstar/GUM, building strong connections with industry associations, educational institutions, and dental professionals nationwide. Jackie has also contributed her expertise through committee service with organizations including the American Dental Education Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
