Pediatric pro tips: Managing tiny patients (and their parents) with Hygiene Edge
Join Jessica, Shelley, and Melia from Hygiene Edge as they sit down with pediatric specialist Brittnee Thibault. Learn how to swap "scary" words for kid-friendly ones, why every pediatric office needs a hygienist, and how to build student confidence before that first injection.
Managing a pediatric appointment requires a unique blend of clinical skill, psychology, and—occasionally—a few toys. In this special crossover episode, the team from Hygiene Edge takes over the mic to discuss the nuances of pediatric dental hygiene and education.
Whether you are a student nervous about your first pediatric injection or an instructor looking to streamline the clinic experience, this episode is packed with "boots-on-the-ground" advice. Guest Brittnee Thibault shares her journey as a pediatric specialist and offers a masterclass in patient communication.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The power of language: How to describe an injection without using "scary" words.
The "boss voice": Establishing authority while maintaining a comforting environment.
Student prep: How instructors can set expectations before the child ever sits in the chair.
Parental synergy: Tips for including parents in the conversation to ensure a successful follow-up.
Jessica Atkinson, MEd, BSDH, RDH, is the COO of Hygiene Edge and an assistant professor of dental hygiene at Utah Tech University. She has been in the dental field for 23 years with experience in the front office, dental assisting, hygiene, and education. Jessica has presented nationally and internationally, is the recipient of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Element Award and the Utah Tech College of Health Sciences Outstanding Service Award, is a past president of the Utah Dental Hygienists’ Association, and a member of the ADHA.
Melia Lewis, MEd, RDH, is a dedicated clinical dental hygiene professional with a passion for advancing oral health education and patient care. She practices at Aspen Heights Dental in Highland, Utah, and is an adjunct professor at Colorado Northwestern Community College. She is cofounder of Hygiene Edge, an online education platform full of helpful tips to make dental professionals' lives easier, and she owns and operates Acuti Sharpening, a dental hygiene instrument sharpening company. Contact her at [email protected] or on Instagram @hygieneedge and @meliardh.
Shelley is a dental educator, speaker, content creator, and mobile clinician dedicated to advancing accessible and innovative dentistry. As co-owner of HYGIENE edgeUCATORS, she empowers dental educators through professional development. Since 2009, she has taught at the Utah College of Dental Hygiene and founded Homebound Smiles, a mobile dental practice serving underserved patients. She also runs Shelley.Dental, a YouTube and TikTok platform focused on patient education and minimally invasive dentistry.
