Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and found some time to rest, reflect, and truly recharge.

There’s something special about the beginning of a new year. It naturally invites us to pause, look at where we are, and ask ourselves: What could be better? What could be different?  What could be even more fulfilling?

As we head into this new year, it’s a perfect time to reflect on your practice and look for areas that could enhance both client care and your own professional satisfaction. It’s also a great opportunity to get re-energized and excited about our profession again.

If you’re feeling a little stuck—or feel like you’re doing the same thing day after day—this might be your moment to look at what’s possible.

Maybe this is the year you finally:

• Implement laser technology into your practice
• Join and start using the Oral-B Professional Partners Program
• Introduce oral probiotics into your client care protocols
• Or fully embrace and confidently implement the AAP Classifications into your everyday practice

Sometimes growth doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Often, it’s one meaningful improvement that changes everything.

Whatever your goals are this year, as dental hygienists, continuous improvement isn’t just part of our professional commitment—it’s also part of our Quality Assurance responsibilities. But more importantly, it’s how we stay engaged, motivated, and proud of the care we provide.

Step 1: Choose Your Focus

Start with one clear goal. Just one.

Once you have it, turn it into a proper goal statement. Most of us, across the country, have some form of learning or QA reporting requirement, and your learning should always tie back to a clear goal.

A great goal is SMART:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Relevant to your practice
• Time-bound

Step 2: Capture Your Learning as You Go

When you’re completing a course, webinar, or reading an article, don’t wait until the end of the year to remember what you learned.

Use:

• The course handouts
• Key points from articles or studies
• Your own notes
• Your aha moments

These are your learning gems. Capture them as you are participating in the CQI activity. This one habit will save you an incredible amount of time—and prevent future stress and frustration.

Step 3: Reverse Engineer Your Success

Here’s a strategy I love:

When it comes to the implementation portion of your QA records, try writing it as your future self.

Imagine it’s one year from now. You’re looking back. What did you implement? What changed? How did it improve your practice and your clients’ experience?

Writing it this way is like reverse engineering your success. It helps you clearly see the steps you need to take—and makes the plan feel real and achievable.

This year doesn’t have to be about doing more.

It can be about doing one thing better—with intention.

Here’s to a year of clarity, confidence, and meaningful progress.

Warmly,

Kathleen

Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc ~ Founder | President