"Hygiene is so much more than scraping teeth. We are lifesavers."
Each week the RDH PIRA (Patient Impact & Rise Above) recognition program, sponsored by Water Pik, Inc., features a dental hygiene clinician who excels in their role and goes the extra mile in their job. The past two years have been a challenge for many clinicians and as we return to the operatory, we want to acknowledge those providing patient care—clinicians who are changing their patients’ lives, influencing their patients’ health, and making a daily difference. This week we honor Barbara K. Tritz, MSB, BSDATE, RDH.
Barbara wrote, "From a young age, I wanted to be a healer. Dental hygiene is a rewarding profession and has led me on a most amazing journey. At the beginning of my career, I was frustrated because even though patients were doing exactly what I recommended, there would still be bleeding, bone loss, and decay."
More PIRA winners
Giving her all to help her community
Bringing smiles into schools
"I was introduced to the phase contrast microscope and ozone therapies, which led me to becoming a biological dental hygienist. I knew there had to be something systemic going on but I never connected gut health, nutrition, mouth breathing, sleep, and stress to the root causes of dental issues until I discovered this biological philosophy. It has changed the way I practice."
"One patient stands out. I referred Maria to her primary care doctor because I saw no pathogens on her slide yet saw severe infection. She was diagnosed with early-stage leukemia. The microscope saved her life. I use the microscope on every patient, every time. We must see the biofilm. I share this with every hygienist I mentor, in every course I teach, and on my blog, Queen of Dental Hygiene. We need to teach people about having a healthy biofilm. Hygiene is so much more than scraping teeth. We are lifesavers."
Barbara is a practicing biological dental hygienist at Green City Dental in Edmonds, Washington. She is also the owner of Washington Oral Wellness in Kirkland, Washington, where she practices orofacial myofunctional therapy. She completed her accreditation in Biological Dental Hygiene through the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, and is laser certified through the Academy of Laser Dentistry.
Barbara loves to share her knowledge and help others find their total body health. She lectures everywhere from local school health classes to professional continuing education courses worldwide. In 2019 Barbara received the HuFriedy-American Dental Hygienist Association Master Clinician Award at the annual ADHA Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. She loves the warm weather and has found her happy place stand-up paddle boarding on any glorious day in the great Pacific Northwest. Barbara can be contacted at [email protected].
Visit the PIRA website to nominate someone today! Good luck, and we look forward to hearing from many outstanding and qualified colleagues!
