Before I was a dental hygienist, I was a pediatric assistant. That’s where I learned the ropes—on tiny mouths and big feelings. I was thrown up on, bitten, and became very, very good at taking radiographs fast.

More importantly, I learned how much our presence matters when a patient is scared and small. Pediatric dentistry is where my love for prevention gained momentum. It’s where I saw firsthand how trust, language, and preparation shape a child’s relationship with dentistry for life.

This month, we’re focusing on that mindset. From revisiting my crossover with the Hygiene Edge team to Tom Viola’s critical deep-dives into pediatric anesthesia dosing, we are looking at the skillset required for our smallest patients.

Here’s to not getting thrown up on.

—Jessica Atkinson, RDH