As many of you may know, I am a full-time Dental Hygienist!
I thought this was a great opportunity to tell you a bit about my career, since I'm always blogging about running.
Let me start out by saying I love my job! No. Really! I love my job! It's not often people can say that they truly love their job. I don't mind going to work and rarely have a bad day. I am social by nature and enjoy meeting new people and making new friendships. My patients are all really amazing. I'm not lying... they really are amazing! Ok, most of them! 99.99 % of them. :) I am blessed to work in a progressive and comprehensive office with a boss that treats me like an equal. I have fantastic coworkers and work is FUN!
Without going into all the details, I take an avid interest and have studied comprehensively periodontal disease, which in turn helps me transform even the most diseased mouths! My patients are treated like members of my own family and I enjoy hearing about their lives. My hope is that they enjoy their experience and I sprinkle enough in about their dental health too!
Many people HATE the dentist. Loathe it! Shake just thinking about it! Do anything in their power to avoid going! Well... HA! I've got news for you..... there are a few things that we as dental professional dislike as well. In no particular order:
1: In order for us to see in your mouth, you need to open. WIDE! Not a slight pursed lips open... like a flip top. Imagine the Reach dental guy who's head flips back... well not that wide... but WIDE. You want me to do a good job? I need to see. It doesn't happen often, but there are patients who just refuse to open their mouth. I've never quite figured it out!
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2: Trust me. I know you're lying to me when you say you floss and you don't. I can tell that from a mile away! I'm not kidding. I KNOW! And.... for me personally.... it doesn't bother me if you do or you don't floss. I'm not your mother. I'm not going to babysit you and yell at you when you don't floss. I ask because I care and want to help you help yourself. If you tell me you don't floss, it's okay. Really! It's ok. I try to help you find ways to better care for you mouths.
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3: Crowns. They are expensive. They are a necessity for many. I have seen thousands of them. They are fantastic. But thanks for letting me know you have one! :) See pic below. This applies to front fillings as well. I know they are there. wink wink
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4: Tardiness. Need I say more? There is usually a very good reason for coming to your appointment late. It is unavoidable in some situations. This is for the CHRONIC tardy person. Do you realize that it's impossible for me to do a good job and stay on schedule when you're late? It's not in my nature to NOT do a good job, therfeore your tardiness affects every patient left in my schedule. Please be courteous of my time and I will be courteous of yours :)
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Check the blog again soon. I'm thinking I like the confessions of a Dental Hygienist! Thoughts?
Many people HATE the dentist. Loathe it! Shake just thinking about it! Do anything in their power to avoid going! Well... HA! I've got news for you..... there are a few things that we as dental professional dislike as well. In no particular order:
1: In order for us to see in your mouth, you need to open. WIDE! Not a slight pursed lips open... like a flip top. Imagine the Reach dental guy who's head flips back... well not that wide... but WIDE. You want me to do a good job? I need to see. It doesn't happen often, but there are patients who just refuse to open their mouth. I've never quite figured it out!
.JPG)
2: Trust me. I know you're lying to me when you say you floss and you don't. I can tell that from a mile away! I'm not kidding. I KNOW! And.... for me personally.... it doesn't bother me if you do or you don't floss. I'm not your mother. I'm not going to babysit you and yell at you when you don't floss. I ask because I care and want to help you help yourself. If you tell me you don't floss, it's okay. Really! It's ok. I try to help you find ways to better care for you mouths.
.JPG)
3: Crowns. They are expensive. They are a necessity for many. I have seen thousands of them. They are fantastic. But thanks for letting me know you have one! :) See pic below. This applies to front fillings as well. I know they are there. wink wink
.JPG)
4: Tardiness. Need I say more? There is usually a very good reason for coming to your appointment late. It is unavoidable in some situations. This is for the CHRONIC tardy person. Do you realize that it's impossible for me to do a good job and stay on schedule when you're late? It's not in my nature to NOT do a good job, therfeore your tardiness affects every patient left in my schedule. Please be courteous of my time and I will be courteous of yours :)
.JPG)
Check the blog again soon. I'm thinking I like the confessions of a Dental Hygienist! Thoughts?
What an interesting job...
ReplyDeleteI can't handle saliva - even my own - so I know I couldn't do your job....
& girl... I have 7 crowns from 8 root canal-ed teeth... I KNOW they are expensive. UGH!
Rebecca jo! Actually, I'm not a big fan of saliva either. :) ha! sounds like you're no stranger to your dentist! I hope it's a good experience. :)
DeleteI actually love getting my teeth cleaned. You'd be proud of me, in my job as a pediatric nurse practitioner, I'm all about the oral hygeine. We do flouride varnish on our little ones under the age of 3. I do a ton of education about teeth.
ReplyDeleteROCK ON!!! I love little ones. :) Most of the time, but it's usually the parents who drive me crazy first. :)
DeleteHa! I actually laughed loudly when I read your last comment. " I need to go floss now. :)
ReplyDeleteSo, I am the culprit of HATING the dentist. I don't even want to tell you how long it's been since I've been to one. But moving 5 times in 5 years, to 4 different states doesn't make it easy to find a dentist I feel comfortable with.
ReplyDeleteI hear you!! Ask around and read reviews!! I recommend a smaller practice and use your gut. Good luck!
DeleteHaha-love it! I wouldn't say I hate the Dentist, but it's not my favorite afternoon activity ;)
ReplyDeleteJen@Jpabstfitness.com
I am NOT kidding when I say three of these things happened in the same day on Thursday!!
DeleteHave you ever found yourself wondering what the difference is between a dental assistant and a dental hygienist? Dental assistants often work as an immediate aide to a dentist, while dental hygienists often work one-on-one with patients. In addition, between the two areas there are differences in salary and schooling, as well as level of interaction with patients. from South Airdrie Smiles childrens dentistry.
ReplyDelete