Becoming A Dental Hygienist

I had a visit to the tech center in 7th grade, I really liked it a lot but I didn't think i would be able to attend because I didn't think i could make it to 11th grade, none of my grandparents or parents ever graduated high school. But 4 years later i'm a sophomore. But when I came to the tech center on that visit one program stood out tome the most. About midway though freshmen year I realized I was so close to finishing high school and I then knew that the tech center could be an option and I remember how much I liked the dental program, so I started doing some research and I started looking in colleges that have dental programs. Then I realized I wanted to be a dental hygienist. My dream is to graduate high school, go to college and get

The dental hygienist is expected to respect the diverse values, beliefs, and cultures present in individuals and communities. When providing dental hygiene care, dental hygienists must support the right of the individual to have access to the necessary information and provide opportunities for dialogue to allow the individual patient to make informed care decisions without coercion (ADHA Policy Manual, 2016.) It is important for the oral health care provider to focus on the needs of the patient versus their own needs or those of the practice. It is also important that every patient be treated with the upmost respect regardless of race, color, age, gender, ethnicity, social class, disability or oral conditions. The patient must also be respectful towards the provider and dental team and what they are doing to improve the patient’s oral health. This balance allows the patient and provider to both be

Not only did the dentist have possible legal violations, but there is evident failure to follow ethical principles. One of the applications of the

While most of the patients I interacted with were seeking non-dental care, I met patients who were seeking care to health conditions that stem from their oral health such as oral abscesses, which our team was unable to treat except for prescribing antibiotics or painkillers. I encountered similar situations when I shadowed physicians in the emergency room of hospitals, observing a variety of craniofacial disorders originating from a preventable tooth decay. From these observations, I learned that patients often did not receive treatment that addressed the root of their problems: their oral health. As the result, I learned that many physicians saw the same patient repeatedly for problems that would otherwise be easily prevented through proper preventive dental care. Determining to address the unmet needs for accessible preventive dental care, I decided to pursue a career in dentistry so that I can provide a positive and meaningful impact to the underserved community on their oral health and ultimately their overall

My name is Maribel and I'm 19 years old. I was born and raised in North Carolina. I do not have kids yet, but plan on having at least one later on in the future. I love to run, I use to be in cross country in which we would run 3 miles everyday. Sadly, I haven't ran since I graduated which was in 2014. But, plan on getting back on track because this freshman 15 I ended with is not good. I'm going to school to become a dental

Hundreds of years ago, the dental profession and the medical profession was perceived as two separate entities, however, this bifurcated health system has created an epidemic in oral disease with our aging population (Nagro, 2016). Dentistry should be more closely integrated with medicine and the health care system, however, organized dentistry has fought to stay a monopoly. They have protested regarding dental personnel being independent, even in the advancement of serving more rural areas, just as they repelled being part of Medicare. Finally, there are a few states that have alternative choices for a dental hygienist to travel to people who can’t get to a traditional dental office. Some of these states include Minnesota, Colorado, Oregon,

My love of the dental field started five years ago when I had the opportunity to participate in a Red Cross Dental Assisting program while stationed with my husband overseas. As soon as I started working in the clinic I fell in love. I volunteered at the clinic for seven months before a position became available. Once my husband made the decision not to reenlist, I knew I had to make a career move. I started looking into the world of dental hygiene and was absolutely fascinated.

As a child, and still today, I constantly anticipate when I get to go to the dentist again. I realize that is not a common reaction for children, or anyone. but I know that it was a place where I get to learn about my teeth and have fun with the hygienists. I believe that one of the main reasons I love the dentist office so much is because of how great the dental hygienists that I grew up with are. The hygienists at my dentist office are great with everyone and they are always positive and have

However, while these invaluable experiences in some cases left me questioning my entire future, collectively they have taught me the invaluable lesson that the field of dentistry offers me the patient interaction, surgical procedures, flexibility, and most of all the ability to craft with my hands, that I so crave, just not in the place where for so long I had expected to find

Life has been an interesting, happy, and on occasion, challenging journey for me: despite the ups and downs, has made me extremely optimistic and excited concerning my future. Dentistry was not a career that I thought was possible until six years ago. Despite visiting the dentist only one time as a child, I have always had a fascination with teeth and oral hygiene. Graduating with a bachelor of Science degree was the first step in achieving my career goal. Obtaining my masters in Medical Science from Hampton University is the next step needed in my pursuit because it will strengthen me as an applicant for dental school. Performing well in a graduate program will show academic growth and dedication to obtaining a dental degree.

Through Middle School and High School I worked at Smiles On Broadway after school and on Saturdays, continuing to fall in love with the idea of becoming a dentist. The team at “my practice” inspired me to excel through

From the time I entered college, I was set on pursuing a career in the health sciences. After a close cousin of mine completed dental school and embarked upon her residency, I decided to join the pre-dental club at NYU. Upon attending a series of lectures and events at both NYU and Columbia dental schools, I was inspired by dentists’ unique ability to improve one’s confidence and quality of life. I went on to participate in the Gateway to Dentistry program at Rutgers Dental School, which solidified my decision to pursue a career in dentistry, as I found within it a perfect blend of art and medicine.

I thought it was good for me to go out and serve people in the middle of my rigorous study schedule in order for me to stay motivated to become a dentist who cares about public health.

My parents have always instilled the value of education in my siblings and I. They encouraged good and honest work while doing their best to provide for us to achieve our goals. Naturally, in my case, my family envisioned a future in medicine due to my keen interest in the sciences and curiosity for the way things work. I have always been a hands-on person; as I grew older, I developed hobbies in crocheting and the arts. It was when I was in high school that I decided a career in dentistry would be ideal for me. I realized I wanted to enter a profession that incorporated both my skills and interests. Dentistry, in my point of view, is the perfect blend of art, science, and creativity. As I learned more about dentistry, I found it to be even more fascinating because of its mix of technology, hands-on techniques, and constant interaction with people. By the time I graduated high school, my decision to pursue dentistry was final, and that was what I worked towards during my time in university.

A time in high school, I thought I had cavities and went to see the dentist. It was my first ever visit to the dentist and I was quite apprehensive about it. During my consultation, the dentist who had asked for an x ray of my molars explained to me that I did not have cavities. She also showed me my wisdom teeth in the x ray, which were still in development, explaining that I may have to extract them because they were inclined towards my second molars. She did a cleaning for me and taught me how to floss. Contrary to the “horror stories” I had heard about going to a dentist, I had quite a pleasant experience with her. I believe this exposure was what spiked my initial interest in the profession.