I was recently reading Your Best Year Yet by Jinny S. Ditzler. Within the content, the author describes several steps to creating a plan for your New Year. Ditzler has you define your accomplishments and your failures from the past year, then provides guidance on how to turn those successes and failures into lessons of growth. We tend to spend too much time ridiculing ourselves for our mistakes, our failure to achieve goals, and our unexpected personal challenges. However, if we grant ourselves forgiveness as we would a friend, we can embrace these moments and learn from the hard times.
Each year is a fresh start, and as you think about what you want to achieve in 2025, take time to embrace what you have learned. Also, reflect on the old habits or bad memories you want to leave behind. Life is about continual growth, setting our sights on future desires, and taking the steps necessary to achieve progression. Also remember to focus on the gift of each day and being present in the moment. Often times, being present brings the gifts you could have missed if you weren’t paying attention. Take time to exhale and schedule quiet moments into your daily routine.
Within the pages of RDH magazine this month we share the results of the annual survey acquired through our partnership with Dental Post. The trends are changing and there are some valuable pieces of optimism within the results.
Members of the Texas Dental Hygiene Association are featured on the cover, as Texas welcomes the RDH Under One Roof community to Dallas in July. Grab your boots and come prepared as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our conference!
Also in this issue, author Linda Rhoades shares the story of Irene Newman. Amanda Hill discusses how to navigate the bloody prophy, and Anne O. Rice presents the science behind resistance to antimicrobials.
For all new RDH graduates and DH students, be sure to subscribe to the digital issue of RDH magazine and the RDH Graduate newsletter for monthly content delivered right to your inbox. The RDH community is vast with many fellow dental hygienists eager to support you and answer your questions. Take this opportunity to find moments of optimism with your peers.
As we step into 2025, have a forward focus as to what can be, while learning from past experiences. Somewhere someone said, “Celebrate the endings, as they bring new beginnings.” Welcome to a New Year!
Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH
Chief Editor
Editor's note: This article appeared in the January/February 2025 print edition of RDH magazine. Dental hygienists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.
