Tammy Hinojos

Always a lover of words well written, Tammy Hinojos is an experienced and award-winning copywriter/editor making a difference in the healthcare marketing, public relations and communications industries for more than 20 years. She has a BA in English from Texas Christian University (Go Frogs!). Equal parts creative and technical, she is a seasoned and diverse medical writer who knows how to execute like a journalist, think like a marketer and write like a storyteller.

Articles by Tammy Hinojos

• Study reveals surprising connection between asthma, oral health

  What in the world could asthma have to do with gum disease? Apparently, a lot. A recent study published…

  Friday, June 19, 2020

• Fitbit races to help COVID-19 patients by developing an emergency ventilator

  Fitbit has secured an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA for a new device, the Fitbit Flow.…

  Thursday, June 11, 2020

• ADA Humanitarian Award deadline extended to September

  Nominations for the 2021 ADA Humanitarian Award can be made through Sept. 15, 2020. This year’s focus…

  Friday, June 05, 2020

• Finnish researchers create pendant necklace can detect abnormal heart rhythms

  It’s not uncommon to see health-related devices and detectors housed in accessories that can be worn.…

  Friday, May 29, 2020

• Webinar for new dentists examines what makes humans happy

  Raise your hand if you want to take a break from the heavy stuff and talk about something happy for just…

  Friday, May 22, 2020

• AR, VR show promise as innovative ways to control pain, reduce opioid prescriptions

  Pain management is a major sector in healthcare. The problem has always been there, and it always will…

  Thursday, May 14, 2020

• Dentists urge aid for dental practices in next round of federal stimulus

  Dental practices across the nation are just one category of small businesses that have suffered, both…

  Thursday, May 07, 2020

• Tips to protect data, devices when conducting remote healthcare services

  The global health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has pushed millions of healthcare practices…

  Friday, May 01, 2020

• ADA updates PPE recommendations for dental practices

  To help assist and guide dentists across the nation who are reopening their practices as state mandates…

  Friday, April 24, 2020

• Telehealth is keeping doctors, patients connected in the days of COVID-19

  As the world grapples with the mitigation efforts required to navigate a global pandemic, healthcare…

  Friday, April 17, 2020

• With dental practices seeing ‘emergency cases only,’ what constitutes a dental emergency?

  As with most medical practices in America today, the vast majority of dental practices are limiting care…

  Monday, April 13, 2020

• Can AI predict which COVID-19 patients are at greatest risk of severe complications?

  From news anchors to medical experts put on camera every evening, it seems everyone has an interest in…

  Monday, April 06, 2020

• COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress has implications for dentists

  In a month otherwise filled with tough news, Congress passed a $2 trillion stimulus package that is designed…

  Thursday, March 26, 2020

• As COVID-19 spreads, the future of medicine is quickly becoming the medicine of today

  As the world continues its collective efforts at waging war against the rapidly spreading coronavirus,…

  Monday, March 23, 2020

• Ranking of world’s best dental schools features significant international representation

  Is America still the superpower it was in years past? We'll let world leaders and political commentators…

  Monday, March 16, 2020

• How technology can help to contain COVID-19 — and how it can’t

  As the world navigates the coronavirus outbreak, a few key technologically advanced tools are front and…

  Friday, March 06, 2020

• ADA produces one-sheet handout on coronavirus for dentists

  Coronavirus, now named COVID-19, is making headlines around the world, and this illness is at the top…

  Thursday, February 27, 2020

• Why AI in healthcare may be a lifesaver

  As advances in artificial intelligence continue to make headlines in healthcare, many experts agree that…

  Tuesday, February 25, 2020

• Spotlight on fluoridation with National Children’s Dental Health Month underway

  2020 is a big year. A big decade. Plus, it just sounds cool, right? In the world of dentistry, 2020 marks…

  Thursday, February 13, 2020

• ADA amends policy in recognition of religious diversity in dentistry

  Diversity and inclusivity are increasingly top of mind for industries and corporations across the globe.…

  Tuesday, February 04, 2020

• Volunteer dentists needed for aid in Puerto Rico

  A nonprofit medical organization called International Medical Relief is sponsoring outreach trips to…

  Friday, January 24, 2020

• Dentist moves to No. 2 spot on best jobs list, per U.S. News & World Report

  There is no single job out there that would be best for every person in the workforce. But many of the…

  Thursday, January 16, 2020

• International College of Dentists celebrates centennial in 2020

  The International College of Dentists has a big reason to celebrate the new year. 2020 marks the 100th…

  Monday, January 06, 2020

• ADA looks for moonlighting dentists who secretly like to write

  Remember Hermey, the elf who wanted to be a dentist? It’s safe to say you could easily find that beloved,…

  Wednesday, December 18, 2019

• Sodas found to be common denominator between obesity, tooth wear in adults

  We all know they're bad for us. But most of us indulge in sugary soft drinks at least occasionally. All…

  Wednesday, December 04, 2019

• Award-winning Austin, Texas, dental practice sets a standard for innovation

  Massage chairs and a technology bar? It sounds like a sleek and modern hotel lounge, but it’s not.…

  Thursday, November 14, 2019

• Congress may give dental coverage to millions of Medicare recipients

  Did you know around 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 each day and can sign up for Medicare? While the program’s…

  Friday, November 01, 2019

• Enamel: The body part that lasts a lifetime and doesn’t wear out

  Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. But, until recently, no one knew how it managed…

  Friday, October 18, 2019

• A curious case of ‘lost’ dentures after surgery

  If you’re scheduled to have surgery, there are lots of things you’re likely thinking about. From…

  Thursday, October 03, 2019

• September is Healthy Aging Month: Proper oral care helps seniors age well

  How essential is having a healthy mouth to your physical health? According to many medical experts, you…

  Friday, September 20, 2019

• New tooth sheriff in town: ADA names new president

  The American Dental Association (ADA) recently installed its 156th president. The position was awarded…

  Tuesday, September 17, 2019

• To dental groups’ chagrin, federal sealant measure might be removed

  Sealants prevent cavities in kids. Science says so. So why is the Health Resources and Services Administration…

  Friday, September 06, 2019

• Diversity in dentistry: Women researchers leading the way in dental advances

  Volpe Research Center has been famous for developing materials, tools and technologies used in the field…

  Thursday, August 29, 2019

• Can stem cells help teeth heal? Scientists say yes

  It is generally accepted in the medical community that stem cells play an important role in wound healing.…

  Friday, August 23, 2019

• Study: Fluoride may decrease liver, kidney function in adolescents

  No one debates the many dental benefits of fluoride. They are widely established and scientifically backed.…

  Thursday, August 15, 2019

• SmileDirectClub under fire for flouting federal regulations

  You may have seen ads for SmileDirectClub, a direct-to-consumer business model that sells plastic aligners…

  Thursday, August 08, 2019

• Dentistry of the future? An army of miniature robots could wipe out tooth decay

  What if, with one marching order, a swarm of micro-robots (directed by magnets!) could break apart and…

  Friday, August 02, 2019

• Dental students in Costa Rica design metal saliva ejector to reduce waste

  A group of dental students has engineered a solution to the wastefulness of one-time use plastic saliva…

  Thursday, July 25, 2019

• ADA CareerCenter upgrades online tools for job-seeking dentists

  Are you a recently graduated dental professional looking for the perfect place to start your career?…

  Monday, July 22, 2019

• Kissing can help ward off tooth decay

  Pucker up! It turns out kissing is good for you in more ways than you might think. Most people know that…

  Friday, July 12, 2019

• Managing acute pain amidst America’s opioid epidemic

  Congress has responded in a big way to the opioid crisis making headlines across the nation. The American…

  Thursday, June 27, 2019

• Study: Mouth bacteria found in brain clots of stroke victims

  A study performed in Finland found trace amounts of mouth bacteria present in brain clots of patients…

  Friday, June 21, 2019

• Dental professionals support raising legal age for purchasing tobacco to 21

  The American Dental Association (ADA) recently announced its support for a new bill that would raise…

  Friday, June 14, 2019

• How dentists should treat patients’ keto breath

  With the ever-increasing popularity of the keto diet, dentists are fielding questions from patients about…

  Thursday, June 06, 2019

• Can dentists help with the opioid epidemic? Webinar set for June 19

  With the nation’s first opioid lawsuit by a state (Oklahoma) against big pharma underway last week…

  Thursday, May 30, 2019

• Dentists invited to donate services to veterans

  There is more than one way to serve your country. If you’re a dental professional, you have the opportunity…

  Thursday, May 23, 2019

• Orofacial pain could become dentistry’s newest specialty

  For starters, let’s define orofacial pain. It will be helpful in understanding how (and whether) it…

  Friday, May 17, 2019

• AI makes its way to dentistry

  Dentistry is a field that evolves by leaps and bounds. For example, new materials mean fillings last…

  Thursday, May 09, 2019

• Oral health improving for most Americans, but economic and ethnic disparities still exist

  There’s some good news and some bad news from the Centers for Disease Control regarding the oral health…

  Thursday, May 02, 2019

• Study: Orthodontic treatment doesn’t guarantee future oral health

  Orthodontic treatment can straighten your teeth, but it can’t protect those choppers from developing…

  Thursday, April 25, 2019

• Study: Teeth whitening products may do more harm than good

  Home teeth whitening kits are a popular and easy way to brighten your smile. You can buy a variety of…

  Wednesday, April 17, 2019

• Alexa went to school, and now she’s HIPAA-compliant

  "Alexa, ask my dentist if my prescription is ready." No, really. You can do that now. Amazon announced…

  Thursday, April 11, 2019

• Sleep disorders on the rise in the US; World Dental Congress responds

  Sleep apnea, a potentially serious sleep disorder, is defined by breathing that repeatedly stops and…

  Wednesday, April 03, 2019

• Diversity in dentistry on the rise

  Think about your dentist when you were a child. Can you remember? If you can, I’d be willing to bet…

  Friday, March 29, 2019

• Dementia risk linked to severe gum disease

  Could taking great care of your teeth and gums throughout your lifetime also help protect your brain…

  Monday, March 25, 2019

• Anesthesiology recognized as 10th dental specialty

  About 175 years ago, a dentist in Hartford, Connecticut, extracted one of his own third molars to test…

  Thursday, March 21, 2019

• World Oral Health Day spotlights awareness about good oral hygiene

  Move over, St. Paddy. It’s time for World Oral Health Day, which is celebrated globally every year…

  Friday, March 15, 2019

• ADA partners with National Institutes of Health for opioids webinar

  Prescription opioid abuse remains a dangerous and growing problem in America. Every day, more than 115…

  Thursday, March 07, 2019

• Physician-only social network surveys how physicians really feel about anti-vaccine movement

  Several social media platforms are facing public scrutiny over their role in promoting misleading health…

  Tuesday, March 05, 2019

• Funding available for overseas dental care efforts

  If you're involved with a U.S.-based nonprofit organization working to improve access to oral health…

  Wednesday, February 27, 2019

• Who to refer your young patient to if he or she has a lazy eye

  Primary care physicians (and especially pediatricians) are often the first to see conditions in patients…

  Friday, February 22, 2019

• Private patient advocates can help dentists, too

  Every dentist knows there are certain types of patients who tend to have trouble managing their oral…

  Thursday, February 21, 2019

• Upcoming webinar shows how to handle awkward patient situations successfully

  If you've ever wondered if there were resources out there for dentists and practice administrators who…

  Thursday, February 14, 2019

• Study: Female brains may age more slowly

  "Anything you can do, I can do better! I can do anything better than you…" It's an oldie for sure,…

  Thursday, February 07, 2019

• Top tips for taking care of your child’s dental health

  Many people don't know it but, believe it or not, cavity prevention starts at birth. And given that more…

  Tuesday, February 05, 2019

• What dentists need to know for tax season

  The very most important thing dentists need to tell their young patients who are losing their baby teeth?…

  Thursday, January 31, 2019

• Study supports fasting as a means of improving overall health

  It's the new year. Many people are integrating new habits into their lives to help them reach their health…

  Thursday, January 24, 2019

• ADA annual meeting to be held in San Francisco in conjunction with FDI World Dental Federation

  If you left your heart in San Francisco, no worries. You can get it back this September when you attend…

  Wednesday, January 23, 2019

• ADA partners with PBS Kids to make sure children are ready for the dentist

  If you haven’t heard of Daniel Tiger, you likely don’t hang out with preschoolers much. In a recent…

  Friday, January 18, 2019

• New study: Flavored tobacco use increasing in young people

  According to a new study by Reuters Health, the growing popularity of e-cigarettes among U.S. youth may…

  Thursday, January 10, 2019

• Study affirms that fluoridation prevents tooth decay

  Researchers had to go all the way to chilly Alaska to reprove what they already believed to be true;…

  Tuesday, January 08, 2019

• FDA condemns use of teething jewelry for infants with teething pain

  For anyone who has raised a child, I think we can all agree that the teething season is awful! The crying,…

  Friday, January 04, 2019

• Breakthrough in food poisoning research could save lives

  Don’t eat the flavor-blasted Goldfish crackers. Um, or the romaine lettuce. Put down the peanut butter.…

  Wednesday, December 19, 2018

• Congress passes Action for Dental Health Act

  All Americans deserve good dental health. Washington, D.C., agrees. Legislation aimed at improving oral…

  Tuesday, December 18, 2018

• Study shows link between opioid prescription and later use, abuse by young people

  The abuse of opioids is a public health crisis in the United States. Dentists continue to be a leading…

  Thursday, December 13, 2018

• Health IT receiving much-needed attention from the government

  Technological advances are by definition supposed to advance that portion of an industry they exist to…

  Monday, December 10, 2018

• Have an elf give you the gift of patient resources this season

  Hermey the Elf is a beloved character from the 1964 classic television special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed…

  Thursday, December 06, 2018

• Dentists are getting busier

  It looks like more people are taking care of their pearly whites, according to recent findings. The American…

  Thursday, November 29, 2018

• Strength training comes out on top over cardio for heart health

  It has long been accepted and taught that regular cardiovascular workouts are good for cardiovascular…

  Wednesday, November 21, 2018

• FDA to strengthen compliance for electronic nicotine products

  Teens are more likely to use e-cigarettes than traditional cigarettes, according to a recent report put…

  Monday, November 19, 2018

• Direct-to-consumer company wrongly claims ADA approval in recent social media post

  No one was smiling last week when an Instagram post attributed to SmileDirectClub — a direct-to-consumer…

  Thursday, November 15, 2018

• 5 ADA member dentists elected to Congress

  Who’s glad midterm election season is over? Many of us. No more campaign commercials. No more clusters…

  Thursday, November 08, 2018

• FDA warns of EpiPens getting stuck in their carrier tubes

  In a medical emergency, every second matters. For people with life-threatening allergies, quick and easy…

  Wednesday, November 07, 2018

• To tell the ‘tooth,’ I think we should talk about it

  Dentistry may not be the most exciting topic to discuss...even for dentists. But a new podcast developed…

  Thursday, November 01, 2018

• Cardiologists may benefit from augmented reality

  It may seem more like an episode of "Grey’s Anatomy" in the year 2050 but it’s not; it’s real.…

  Thursday, October 25, 2018

• HPV vaccine gains support of ADA

  The American Cancer Society estimates there will be more than 50,000 new cases of oral cancer in 2018.…

  Wednesday, October 24, 2018

• ADA shares vision for the future in oral health with surgeon general

  The American Dental Association has many roles, but one of the main ones is advocacy on behalf of member…

  Wednesday, October 17, 2018

• Researchers discover genetic risk for erectile dysfunction

  Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to develop and maintain an erection for satisfactory…

  Tuesday, October 16, 2018

• Say what?! Clear communication matters when educating patients

  We’ve probably all experienced it to some degree. Staring, glassy-eyed and befuddled, while someone…

  Wednesday, October 10, 2018

• Dental licensure may get a little easier

  You’ve upgraded your technology over the years, yes? Surely you’re not still using a flip phone.…

  Wednesday, October 03, 2018

• A single blood test could diagnose 8 different types of cancer

  Cancer is such a mysterious disease. For many different types of cancer, diagnosis can be a long and…

  Thursday, September 27, 2018

• FDA campaign targets teen e-cigarette use

  The commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently called the use of e-cigarettes among…

  Tuesday, September 25, 2018

• Last call: Only a few days left to register in advance for the ADA Annual Meeting

  Procrastinators unite….tomorrow. Actually procrastinators, this time, it’s OK that you put it off.…

  Wednesday, September 19, 2018

• Could ketamine help reduce opioid use in emergency rooms?

  As opioid abuse continues to make headlines across the nation, medical researchers are busy looking at…

  Thursday, September 13, 2018

• Dental benefits deconstructed: Dentists’ top concerns

  Unsurprisingly, dentists across the nation have lots of questions and concerns when it comes to their…

  Wednesday, September 12, 2018

• Dentists have opportunity to aid in Venezuelan refugee crisis

  Dental professionals have a unique opportunity to serve in underprivileged parts of the country and even…

  Thursday, September 06, 2018

• In case of emergency: Survey reveals that most dental practices are prepared

  I love it when a survey confirms good news, don’t you? It’s so much better than the opposite. According…

  Wednesday, August 29, 2018

• Dentists working longer before retiring

  The dental industry is trending right alongside the rest of America where retirement ages are concerned.…

  Wednesday, August 22, 2018

• When should children have their first dental visit?

  It might look a little odd to see a baby laid back in a dental chair for a routine examination. But new…

  Thursday, August 16, 2018

• ADA Find-a-Dentist campaign takes to social media with great results

  Who doesn’t love an awkward school photo from days gone by? Correct. You love 'em. I love 'em. Everyone…

  Wednesday, August 08, 2018

• Silver diamine for your patients’ golden years

  Caring for the teeth of your older patients requires an awareness of the issues and conditions that can…

  Wednesday, August 01, 2018

• Flossing toothbrush with ADA approval recalled

  Water Pik Inc. might just have the hottest toothbrush in town — but not in a good way. This month,…

  Wednesday, July 25, 2018

• Free ADA webinar to spotlight oral health effects of tobacco

  While the rate of smoking has certainly gone down since the mid-1960s, the Centers for Disease Control…

  Wednesday, July 18, 2018

• Long-awaited new dental board exam slated for release in 2020

  The very first National Board Dental Examination in the United States was administered in 1933. This…

  Wednesday, July 11, 2018

• Pediatric dentist’s ‘magical’ video garners national attention

  It’s not unusual for young children to fear going to the dentist, but Dr. Eyal Simchi of Riverfront…

  Tuesday, July 03, 2018

• New law makes it easier for veterans to access healthcare

  Our nation’s veterans certainly deserve the spotlight all the time. But in the month of July, the spotlight…

  Wednesday, June 27, 2018

• Volunteers sought for August dental mission in Grenada

  Have a heart to serve? Love traveling? Looking for ways to use your skills to help others? Great opportunity…

  Thursday, June 21, 2018

• ADA appeals to Congress to expand HSA/FSA flexibility for 2019

  The American Dental Association has a strong advocacy wing, whose primary role is to influence public…

  Friday, June 15, 2018

• Improvements in dental aligners may make them even more popular

  More than 5 million Americans seek orthodontic treatment each year, according to the American Association…

  Friday, June 08, 2018

• Dental leaders focus on international volunteerism

  Medical professionals volunteering and serving in underserved areas around the world is a common (and…

  Friday, June 01, 2018

• Should you brush your teeth before or after eating breakfast?

  Who even cares about Yanny and Laurel? That is so last week. For dentists, a more important either/or…

  Friday, May 25, 2018

• OTC pain relievers proven to be more effective than opioids in treating dental pain

  With opioid misuse and abuse on the rise across the nation, it’s not surprising physicians and dentists…

  Thursday, May 17, 2018

• Free webinar gives guidance on coordination of benefits for dental professionals

  Even in a very polarized political climate, there is at least one thing most Americans can easily agree…

  Friday, May 11, 2018

• Root Canal Awareness Week spotlights endodontists

  May 6-12 is Root Canal Awareness Week! Woo…hoo? At first glance, it might seem an odd (or even silly)…

  Thursday, May 03, 2018

• With oral cancer on the rise, dentists can play an important role

  ​Today's dental professionals routinely see and deal with many issues and conditions that were not…

  Thursday, April 26, 2018

• Dental leadership doing its part in preventing opioid misuse

  ​Every day, more than 115 Americans die after overdosing on opioids, according to the National Institute…

  Thursday, April 12, 2018

• April is National Facial Protection Awareness Month

  Although it may be more appealing (and mouth-watering) to talk about National Donut Month or National…

  Friday, April 06, 2018

• Why doesn’t Medicare cover dentistry?

  ​Medicare is often touted as the gold standard of healthcare for aging Americans. And in many ways,…

  Monday, April 02, 2018

• Is seltzer the new diet soda? And is it bad for teeth?

  Dentists know to warn their patients about the perils of too much sugar in the form of sodas, juices…

  Friday, March 23, 2018

• How smart materials can aid in the fight against tooth decay

  "Two for one" is a great marketing strategy — for certain things. Two bags of chips for the price of…

  Monday, March 19, 2018

• Study: Wine may fight bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease

  Lots of dental offices feature beverage bars so their patients can enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea or…

  Friday, March 09, 2018

• ADA 2018 will focus on women in dentistry

  No doubt, women's issues have been in the forefront of the news in recent months. From marches to movements,…

  Friday, March 02, 2018

• New adhesives show promise at preventing braces bracket stains

  ​Imagine how your young orthodontic patient might feel. She has spent up to 18 long months in braces,…

  Friday, February 23, 2018

• Study: Patients prefer automated follow-up over human interaction

  Robo-dentist? Well, not exactly. But a recent study conducted at Case Western Reserve University School…

  Friday, February 16, 2018

• 5 ways to make your dental practice shine (like those pearly whites)

  Dentistry is a service, certainly. But equally true is the fact that dentistry is a business. The most…

  Friday, February 09, 2018