cvs

I went to Washington DC this past Friday to visit my sister, who recently got engaged.  Ironically I forgot my toothbrush and went to the nearest cvs to buy one for the night.  While looking at the different toothbrushes, a man next to me was also picking out one.  He reached for a hard bristle toothbrush and I immediately told him he was making a mistake and to always buy a soft or extra soft one instead.  He remarked that he really liked the hard ones, because he feels like hard bristles, though "hurt him", do the best job.  I told him that he could actually be doing more damaged than good and that he could be causing abrasion and recession on his gums, especially if the brush hurt him.  After explaining this to him, he bought two soft bristle toothbrushes, one for himself and one to replace his daughter's hard bristled brush. 

Hygiene Alumni

Having the opportunity to meet and converse with some of the first women graduates of VCU dental hygiene was such a pleasure and is something I will never forget.  It was interesting that so many of them used DH as a stepping stone into other careers, however one did not and still practices. It is so gratifying to know that I will be entering a profession that will most-likely always be in demand, is universal and flexible, and is something I can practice for decades while still being able to have other interests.

 

 The ladies who did move on, still use aspects of hygiene in their current professions like the oral surgeon, who sometimes uses the universal curette for certain procedures.  Though I think that using DH as a stepping stone to pursue other career ambitions is amazing, after receiving a degree in marketing, I made an absolute sure, with-out-a-doubt decision that DH was my niche and calling. Thus far, especially with clinic time, I know I will be extremely happy with this profession.

 

It was also interesting to listen to how the program has changed, for instance, from what they were permitted/required to wear to how far women's right have changed.  I especially liked the story about how the hygienists split up during one class and received a standing ovation. 

 

It was also fun to watch Dr. P interact with her former classmates.  While sitting with my classmates, we were all expressing how one day that will be us.  It makes me feel like the comradery that our class shares is just as strong as it was when these first hygienists were in school. It's like we're family. 

 

Hearing about the generous donation that was made to the school of dental hygiene, I feel even more privileged to be here.  It's really wonderful to know that people care about the future of dental hygiene and hygienists.  This is something I would love to do, give-back...(once all my student loans are paid off).

Shadowing

Recently while shadowing in clinic, I was truly amazed about how much I actually know...and of course how much I still need to learn.  For instance, I understood the dialogue between faculty and clinician when referencing furcation and mobility classification.  I understood why the clinician was using certain instruments where and recognized the proper adaptation. When shadowing in the beginning of the year, I felt like I was a deer in headlights, not understanding most of the conversation and for the life of me could not comprehend how such oddly bent sharp instruments could be used or needed to "clean teeth". 

Just being in clinic, I got to use axium (scary) imputing probing depths, furcation, mobility, and bop classifications, which are all things talked about in class.  I viewed recession depths over 12mm, which truly made me feel like being a part of this program is not something that I'm doing because I enjoy the practice, but encompasses truly making differences in people's lives and health. 

I also witnessed that the seniors are still learning. While shadowing, I was so impressed by their confidence and how much they know through experience. Someone was having slight trouble using the explorer and reading correct probing depths, because they were not adapting it just right.  The faculty reminded them of proper technique and they had no problems thereafter.  It's an on-going everyday learning experience.