672e4f91ba48dcc276a8a362 Katie Pondolfino

There are better options for sweeteners

Nov. 7, 2024
Sugar substitutes may seem like a good idea, especially the "natural" ones. But many can damage oral health, and your patients should know this.

Katie Pondolfino discusses the articles she wrote about sugar alcohols and natural sweeteners for RDH. She became interested in the topic when she realized patients don’t always understand what they’re consuming, or what can damage their oral health.

Dental hygienists need to dive deeper into discussing nutrition and diet while they have their patient in the chair. The myriad of sugar substitutes can have an impact on oral and overall health. Many people don’t know what foods are hiding sugar and sugar substitutes, and this includes “natural” sweetener alternatives. 

One of the topics Katie finds most interesting is natural honey. She was intrigued by the research into natural honey, and she discusses its advantages, but also its downsides.

Jackie and Katie also discuss dental hygiene students, and how practicing RDHs can support them as they enter the workforce. As an instructor, Katie realizes that support starts with her and her fellow faculty.

Hear their discussion here, and check out Katie’s RDH articles on sugars and sugar substitutes.

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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

Katie L. Pondolfino, BSDH, RDH, MAAL

Katie L. Pondolfino, BSDH, RDH, MAAL, is an adjunct professor at Empire State University, where she teaches community health, leadership in health care, and health-care ethics. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, where she teaches dental practice management. Katie is a dental hygiene clinical instructor at the State University of New York (SUNY) Broome Community College, where she advises, teaches, and assists all student levels within the dental hygiene program.

About the Author

Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH | Chief editor, RDH magazine

Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH, has over four decades of continual career development and experience in dentistry. As the chief editor of RDH magazine, she strives to remain a proactive personality in the continual advancement of the profession. She has been defined as a motivated trendsetter and dependable colleague and is inspired by her true passion of helping others to achieve their personal goals.