This past week, some of our team were hosted for a Train-the-Trainer day with Oral Science for the Woodpecker PT-B—and honestly, it was one of those days that reminds me exactly why we do what we do at rdhu.

We were welcomed into a gorgeous dental office and training centre in Oakville (Family Dental Tree), with some of the fabulous Oral Science team. The Woodpecker PT-B Training Day was lead by the very knowledgable and passionate NataLee Birks. The energy that day was fantastic. It felt collaborative, hands-on, and very real.

A couple of us had already been introduced to the Woodpecker before the summer. We had seen a demo. We understood it conceptually.

But this was different.

This time, it wasn’t just about watching.

It was about doing.

There’s a quote that has guided so much of what we believe in at rdhu:

Tell me and I will forget.
Show me and I may remember.
Include me and I will learn and truly understand.

This isn’t just a quote for us—it’s our philosophy. You could even call it our mantra.

Tell. Show. Do.

The “Tell” and the “Show” matter. That’s the theory and foundational learning. That’s the science, the rationale, the evidence, the why. We absolutely need that part.

But the real learning? The confidence? The aha moments?

They come from the Do.

During this training, even something as simple as setting the correct parameters on the Woodpecker became completely different when you actually did it yourself. I would never have remembered the settings properly if I hadn’t physically gone through the process. My hands needed to learn it, not just my brain.

And this is important.

If you’ve purchased a Woodpecker PT-B and haven’t had in-office or in-person training yet—it really is a must. You would hire a trainer outside of Oral Science, but they can refer you to someone close to you. The same goes for piezo units in general. These are technique-sensitive devices. Used correctly, they are incredible. Used incorrectly, you can absolutely do harm.

If you’re temping and you’ve never used a piezo before, this is especially important. This isn’t something you want to “figure out as you go.”

This is exactly why we include piezo training in our Hygiene Masterclass.

And for those who are Cavitron users and don’t need or want to switch their ultrasonic, the Woodpecker Mini (air polisher only) is a beautiful option.

Because the air polisher?

It’s the modern way of doing hygiene.

Disclose first.

Then manage biofilm and stain.

Then move to ultrasonic and hand scaling.

I think of all the years we did clinical hygiene without disclosing.

That’s a lot of biofilm to “guess” at removing.

We are missing biofilm. No doubt about it.

Disclosing changes everything. It shows us what we’re actually dealing with. And once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

It’s a game changer.

Maybe it’s also time we change our language.

Let’s focus on biofilm removal.

Let’s connect what we do in hygiene to the whole body, not just, “It’s time for your 6-month cleaning.”

That language is old school. And we all know it—and many of us are working hard to help our teams change it.

Biofilm management is modern, evidence-based, and meaningful.

And when we take the time to really learn these tools—when we don’t just watch, but actually do—that’s when our practice changes.

Someone recently asked me what the difference is between our Myo program and another program that’s entirely online.

This is the difference.

We include a two-day, in-person experience.

Because it’s one thing to watch a video or even a live-streamed course. It’s another thing entirely to immerse yourself, work on each other, ask questions in real time, make small mistakes in a safe environment, share case studies—and leave with true clinical confidence.

That’s where the learning sticks.

That’s where things actually get implemented when you go back to your practice.

It reminded me again why I so deeply believe in blended learning:

The theory gives you the knowledge.

The hands-on gives you the confidence.

And confidence is what creates real change in practice.

We left that day not just informed—but capable.

And that, to me, is the whole point.

And a heartfelt thank you to Oral Science for hosting such a wonderful, high-quality learning experience. We truly appreciate the collaboration and commitment to advancing clinical excellence.

Warmly,

Kathleen

Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc ~ Founder | President