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Once a person is enrolled in a college or a university, he/ she realizes how important it is to have the most practical approach to the specialty. This paper reflects my shadowing experience in dental hygiene. I was extremely fortunate to be involved in performing typical clinical procedures and preventive training of patients. My observation was a perfect chance to dive into all peculiarities of the profession as well as to evaluate whether it meets my expectations and objectives. The lessons I learned from it were exceptionally valuable and they strengthened my aspiration to become a dental hygienist.
A dental hygienist is a highly demanded licensed specialty, which enables you to work in a significant number of institutions. A growing trend of supporting healthy lifestyle presents oral health as a key feature. Therefore dental hygienists are mostly welcome to work in various settings starting from community health centers, nursing homes, schools, and ending up with a private dental office. Apart from clinical practice, a dental hygienist can work in sales and marketing field as well as public health institutions. Such a wide range of settings also implies interaction with different groups of people including children, adults, and the elderly.
Training for a dental hygienist is not a lifelong learning and it allows one to enjoy fruitful results within a few years. It requires passing a two- or four-year degree course in accredited dental hygiene higher educational institutions. After graduation, a student has to pass the national board examination and the state clinical examination in order to get a license. Although the requirements may vary, this is the common path that will lead one to the desired RDH certification without rooting in a college.
One thing I learned from my observation was that there is no need to seek for a full-time job since most companies and offices offer part-time employment. One the one hand, it is convenient because it is possible to work in different surroundings and advance practical skills by performing various procedures. This schedule enables to prioritize the day according to personal schedule without following the strict internal regulations. On the contrary, having two or more offices listed in the schedule may cause physical exhaustion and stress.
Dental hygienists provide a patient-centered service. One specialist usually spends at least one hour in order to assess a patient’s condition, formulate the diagnosis, perform an X-ray examination and other procedures required, as well as educational training. My observation revealed that such approach is the basis of genuinely sincere and trusting relationships between the patient and the dental hygienist. Maintaining this sort of relationships leads to better understanding of a patient’s needs and, as a result, to the implementation of effective treatment and care plan with excellent outcome.
The best part about my observation was the privilege to see that the procedures improve the patient’s condition almost immediately or enhance quick recovery. Typically dental hygienists are responsible for oral prophylaxis. Their scope of practice includes assessing the patient’s health state, exposing and interpreting dental X-ray, removing plaque and calculus from the teeth, and applying preventing materials, such as fluorides or sealants. Moreover, teaching patients oral hygiene, including correct flossing and brushing techniques, as well as creating a nutrition plan to preserve oral health are an essential part of dental hygienists’ work. Seeing a patient smiling more freely and his/ her teeth recovering their whiteness brings joy and confidence to dental hygienists. Moreover, the patients become more confident as well. As such, by means of dental manipulations, a dental hygienist can manage to improve not only the physical state of the oral cavity but also psychological comfort of patients. I believe it was the best lesson I learned from my dental hygiene observation.
From a wide range of procedures that I observed during my training, I was particularly interested in tooth scaling, which is the first step of the teeth cleaning process. Calculus removal is usually accomplished by means of hand scalers and power equipment. The combination of hand scalers and ultrasonic machines is two times effective and less time-consuming then just hand scaling. Depending on the size and location of the calculus, a dental hygienist performs a supragingival or a subgingival scaling. Even though the result of supragingival scaling is the best evidence of a successful tooth cleaning for a patient, it is subgingival calculus removal that influences the disease prognosis and contributes to the development of the periodontal diseases. Unfortunately, there was a situation during my practice when a regular scaling did not remove the tartar deposits from the patient’s teeth, a periodontal disease progressed, and he had to undergo an open root planning. That is when I realized the importance of proper oral hygiene training for patients and the impact a dental hygienist’s interaction with the patient has on the long-term effect of training.
Thanks to this observation experience, I got an opportunity to assist a dental hygienist and develop certain professional skills. Communicating with people of all ages, teaching children brushing and flossing techniques, interpreting X-rays, and acting as a part of a professional team contributed to my unforgettable experience. I gained beneficial practical skills that can be used in my career. I also broadened my outlook, especially in terms of applied sciences. Hence, I can affirm this observation was an essential part of my professional growth and it encouraged me to work for my dream and desired future. I definitely recommend every student attend the course of dental hygiene to challenge themselves by signing up for an observership.