Professional Portfolio

In the dental profession, there are many goals that are necessary to meet to be successful. I am proud to say my goals are being met by the education I am receiving at Lewis and Clark Community College.

• Assessing patients of health as well as those with special needs

During my time at Lewis and Clark Community College, I was given the opportunity to work alongside a Registered Dental Hygienist at the Veterans’ Affairs Clinic in St. Louis, Missouri. This gave me the pleasurable experience of working with a generation that has special needs and medical complications. Some of the patients were on more than 15 medications, had physical impairments, and needed many adjustments to their personal oral hygiene routines.

It was fascinating to be in an environment that required so much extra attention from a dental hygienist perception. I was required to research all the medications that each patient was taking to ensure their safety during all procedures. I was able to experience maneuvering patients in a wheelchair and transferring them to the acceptable chair positioning for their procedure. Lastly, many patients had fine motor skill disabilities and had to be taught new ways to complete their oral hygiene regimens. All of these experiences gave me the tools I need to be a well-rounded hygienist. 

• Infection and hazard control procedures

My education at Lewis and Clark Community College focused greatly on the importance of infection and hazard control procedures. I was tested through proficiency evaluations numerous times on hand washing, surgical hand washing, and asepsis.

This is just a small example of how serious I take infection and hazard control. I treat each patient as if they were highly infectious to me and others around me. With this careful attitude, I am sure to be a positive step in an incident-free office.

• Completing a dental hygiene treatment plan, this includes patient’s problems, the dental hygiene plan, and the dental hygiene appointment sequence.

During my time in the Lewis and Clark Community College Dental Hygiene Program, I was required to complete a treatment plan, including patient’s problems, and inform them of the sequence their treatment would be performed in. This was a great way to get in the habit of treatment planning with dental codes and creating teamwork between my patient and myself. I understand the importance of teamwork with my patients. Developing a plan with my patients is a sure way to create positive outcomes in their oral healthcare.

• Teaching individualized oral health education to the patient.

The most important factor in providing effective oral healthcare is education. My job as a dental hygienist is to educate patients on how to create a healthy mouth at home. I can’t see my patients every day, but I can give them the tools they need to maintain their oral health after their appointments.

I teach my patients through visual aids, reading material, and a patient mirror. I find that using a variety of educational tools ensures the best learning experience. In March of 2014 I gave an educational lecture to a group home in Virginia, Illinois. I taught the staff and their residents the importance of oral hygiene through a video, pamphlets, and a question and answer section. This was an enjoyable experience and I was thrilled to influence over 20 people in their oral healthcare.

• Non-surgical dental hygiene treatment, supportive dental hygiene procedures, and evaluation of care.

During my time in my dental hygiene program, I learned the skills needed to complete non-surgical treatments, dental hygiene procedures, and evaluation of care. I learned this in a pre-clinical course, and then was emphasized through three semesters of clinical experience. I have successfully used scaling and root planning instruments, prophylaxis treatments, fluoride treatments, and evaluated my patients’ progress over weeks and months.

As I completed these tasks, I was commended by dental hygiene instructors on my work ethic, efficiency, and dedication to my patients. I believe there are numerous components to dental hygiene treatment and I work meticulously to successfully complete each component.

• Professional and ethical management of patients.

I value each of my patients as if they were my own family. I treat each of them with the respect and care that they truly deserve. My patients have praised me for my professional attitude and ethical demeanor. Patients should be provided with the best possible care irrespective of age, sexuality, ethnicity, religious beliefs or politics. This is particularly true of lifestyle issues. Whatever the clinician's view of smoking, obesity and drug dependency, it is his or her ethical duty to be supportive, not judgmental.

However, in this day of age, treating patients like you want to be treated is no longer enough. Follow such a tenet blindly and you could well find yourself on the wrong side of the law. Medical and social ethics have advanced to an extent that healthcare professionals are likely to be faced with controversial issues on a regular basis. I take pride in the fact that I keep up to date with on current legislation and ensure that I am practicing within the law and within the guidelines laid down by the ADA and ADHA.

• The organization of community oral health activities

I have always expressed concern for the oral health of others. This has drawn me to be involved in community oral health activities to promote the importance of a healthy mouth. Not only have I spoke to a group home about how to care for others’ mouths and their own; I have been involved in several health fairs in the Alton, Illinois area. I also have volunteered my time and assisting services to the dental hygiene class of 2013 at their mock national boards. I enjoy teaching others and look forward to continuing my community involvement.

• The pursuit of lifelong professional growth and development through participation in and assuming leadership roles in professional organizations and continuing education planning.

In 2008-2009 I served as the President of my Jacksonville High School Science Club. I was in charge of meetings and organized children’s “Saturday Science” events. I also served on the Student Government Counsel from 2011-2012 at Illinois College. I gave input on campus issues and gave students a voice.

I currently serve as the Lewis and Clark Dental Hygiene Class of 2014 Vice-President. I am proud to serve my fellow peers as a leader they can count on. I assist the President of our class with fundraising, addressing issues, and closing the gap between staff and students. Serving this role has opened my eyes to the opportunities I have as a leader. I thrive to make a difference in lives as both a hygienist and leader.