I’m pretty excited because I woke up to something special in my social feeds today. The research paper I wrote while participating in the Bachelor’s Degree program has been published in the International Journal for Applied Health Behavior Change.

Addressing Nail-Biting: Outcomes from a Behavioral Intervention Study explores how targeted, evidence-based strategies can support meaningful and sustainable habit change.

This research continues to shape how I approach my presentations, mentorship, and communication with intention.

Behaviour change is at the core of what we do as dental hygienists, whether we’re supporting home-care routines, addressing parafunctional habits, or guiding patients toward healthier choices. When we understand how habits form and how they can shift, our impact extends far beyond the operatory.

I thoroughly enjoyed working on this research paper and am excited to share it with you!

Congratulations to the O’Hehir University team on an excellent Winter issue and for their ongoing leadership in applied health behaviour research. I’m grateful to be part of a profession committed to lifelong learning, collaboration, and improving oral health globally. Together, we are making a difference.

You can find the article on page 15 of the Winter 2025 issue, along with the full issue.

Warmly,

Kathleen

Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc ~ Founder | President