A shorter appointment can still be successful care. A desensitization visit can still be successful care. Completing only part of the planned treatment can still be successful care. For patients with special healthcare needs, sensory sensitivities, anxiety, dementia, or complex medical con

Medical history forms are important, but they rarely tell the whole story. They may tell us diagnoses, medications, allergies, and past procedures , but they may not tell us what helps a patient feel safe. For truly patient-centered dental care, we need to ask functional questions: What helps th

Before we label a patient as “difficult,” we need to pause and ask a better question: What support did this patient need but not receive? Behavior in the dental chair may be connected to fear, pain, sensory overload, communication barriers, past trauma, or not understanding what is happening next

How do you hold your floss? Is it different when you floss yourself vs when you floss a patient? #floss #hygienist #emergingcreator

In dentistry, we sometimes focus so much on “getting through the appointment” that we forget the bigger goal: building trust. For patients with special healthcare needs, dental anxiety, sensory sensitivities, trauma history, or communication differences, trust can be the foundation for every futur

Small steps still move you forward. Keep showing up, keep believing, and keep going. Your mindset matters. ✨ #MindsetMatters #SmallStepsBigResults #KeepGoing #emergingcreator

Love a quip duo! #emergingcreator

Some moments in dentistry ask us to slow down instead of push through. A pause is not failure. It is communication. It is regulation. It is respect. When we honor the pause, we protect trust and keep care possible for next time. That is still progress. #SpecialNeedsDentistry #DentalHygien

It’s so true! Even with my straight posture & loupes. Having my posture looked at and addressed. My back muscles are on fire!

I’ve learned that some of the most meaningful moments in dentistry don’t happen during the “perfect” appointment. They happen when a patient who was nervous walks in again. When a caregiver says, “This was the first time we felt understood.” When a patient tolerates one new step. When trust sta

For some patients, the hardest part of dental care happens before the exam ever begins. The sounds. The lights. The smells. The feeling of being touched. The fear of not being understood. True access means creating an environment where patients can regulate, communicate, pause, and trust the peop

I love what I do! I love helping patients feel seen, safe, and cared for. I love finding ways to make dental visits less scary, more comfortable, and more compassionate. Some days are busy. Some days are challenging. But getting to care for people in a way that respects who they are and what t

Rule 1: Never give up. Rule 2: Never forget Rule 1. If you had told me five years ago that I would be presenting to a room of physicians and dentists about advocacy, I’m not sure I would have believed you. And if you had told me I would one day be presenting a sold-out course at the largest d

It’s an all day everyday question. How many times a week do you floss. I should try this tactic. 😂 #Dentalhumor #floss

Small changes can make a big difference for patients with sensory sensitivities. Something as simple as dimming overhead lights, lowering noise levels, offering breaks, or explaining instruments before use can help reduce anxiety and create a safer, more comfortable experience. Many patient

Some days the hardest part of Lewy body dementia is not the memory loss people expect. It is the looping. The repeated thoughts. The fixation on one thing that the brain cannot let go of. Lately it has been showers. Repeating the same concerns over and over. The anxiety that comes with it. The emo

Hi, I’m Lisa Curbow, RDH ✨ I have 27 years of clinical dental experience. I have a heart for patients with intellectual & developmental disabilities, dementia care, and creating compassionate dental experiences for every ability. 💙 Every smile has a story. Every patient deserves to feel sa