When I was in dental hygiene school, my mom and dad would send me cards, letters and care packages. I was the only one in my class to get a box of chocolates from home on Valentine’s Day. I don’t know if I ever told them how special those made me feel. Now, as a parent myself, I try each and every day to let my kids know how special they are to me.
We can do this in our professional lives as well as our personal lives: Thank your co-workers for their help. Thank your patients for coming in. Let them know they are special.
Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Welcome to my life,
Lisa
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Thinking Positive
The Lenten season has begun.
Every year, my kids tease me and say they are giving up flossing for Lent. This year, they also added homework to the list. We all got a good chuckle out of it and then sat down and discuss what sacrifice really means to us. To be perfectly honest, sacrifice isn’t a very positive “feel-good” word. Who wants to give something up, especially something we really like? As a family, we decided to be more positive.
So what if the restaurant has a waiting line? At least we will be able to enjoy a nice dinner out. Many families never go out to dinner. With two teenagers in the house, morning showers can run cold if you don’t plan ahead and get up early. A lukewarm shower can really wake you up in the morning. Instead of getting upset, I remind myself it could always be worse. I hope as a family, we keep the positive attitude long after Lent is over. We all benefit from positive thinking.
As spring nears, look to new beginnings and set realistic goals.
Welcome to my life,
Lisa
Every year, my kids tease me and say they are giving up flossing for Lent. This year, they also added homework to the list. We all got a good chuckle out of it and then sat down and discuss what sacrifice really means to us. To be perfectly honest, sacrifice isn’t a very positive “feel-good” word. Who wants to give something up, especially something we really like? As a family, we decided to be more positive.
So what if the restaurant has a waiting line? At least we will be able to enjoy a nice dinner out. Many families never go out to dinner. With two teenagers in the house, morning showers can run cold if you don’t plan ahead and get up early. A lukewarm shower can really wake you up in the morning. Instead of getting upset, I remind myself it could always be worse. I hope as a family, we keep the positive attitude long after Lent is over. We all benefit from positive thinking.
As spring nears, look to new beginnings and set realistic goals.
Welcome to my life,
Lisa
Friday, February 15, 2008
Helping the least of these
It’s Groundhog Day. The furry little guy saw his shadow and scurried back into his hole. Maybe he saw his shadow or maybe he was just frightened. It’s a scary world out there.
There are many reasons to put our heads in the sand and pretend things aren’t happening. Today, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Pocatello Free Dental Clinic. I was told that there are only a handful of free dental clinics in the United States—compare that to the hundreds of free medical clinics. Unfortunately, there are not many dentists that will treat patients for free and it is difficult at best to find a dentist that will treat Medicaid/Welfare patients due to minimal reimbursements.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I arrived. The clinic is run by two Idaho State University graduate students. All of the donated equipment is used and outdated, but still usable. There was a new autoclave and a new composite light purchased by donated monies, but the lone chair was a Pelton-Crane 1970’s model. We saw five patients. The first two were for exam/consultations. Hygiene services were not planned, so I was the only assistant. After exposing the necessary radiographs, I developed them one at a time in the ‘dip tank’ processor box—6-oz. Dixie cups. One patient had a broken full maxillary denture that had been repaired numerous times with Bondo adhesive and six mandibular anterior teeth with severe decay and bone loss. This lady had not eaten solid food in seven months! All she wanted was someone to fix her denture or help her get a new one. The next two patients were there for fillings. One man presented with severe decay on the facial of tooth No. 8. He had not been able to get a full time job and had no insurance. When we finished restoring his tooth we let him look in the patient mirror; he started crying and thanked us for helping him. I really think we gave him more than just a filling. It felt so good to see him smile. He came back one hour later and donated $150 to the clinic.
Our last patient was a 9-year-old boy with severe ADHD. He was on numerous medications that were taking a toll on his teeth. Three out of his four first permanent molars were severely decayed and had draining fistulas. Most of the remaining primary teeth had significant decay. His father had obvious dental problems as well but just wanted us to help his son. He had been to four different dental offices that would only treat his son if he paid up front at a minimum of $1000 (due to the fact that sedation would be necessary). Our clinic isn’t equipped to do any sedation cases, but we were able to get him into our local dental residency program at Idaho State University.
My heart went out to this dad and his son. I’m not sure whose eyes were welling up more, mine or the dad's. I know for a fact that these are not isolated cases. Many people, especially children, go without dental care.
The American Dental Hygienists Association has developed the concept of the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner. modeled after nurse practitioners. There are so many people that we will help when the ADHP becomes a reality. As a hygienist and a mother, it saddens me to see these children in pain and their parents in despair. We will make a difference.
Welcome to my life,
Lisa
There are many reasons to put our heads in the sand and pretend things aren’t happening. Today, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Pocatello Free Dental Clinic. I was told that there are only a handful of free dental clinics in the United States—compare that to the hundreds of free medical clinics. Unfortunately, there are not many dentists that will treat patients for free and it is difficult at best to find a dentist that will treat Medicaid/Welfare patients due to minimal reimbursements.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I arrived. The clinic is run by two Idaho State University graduate students. All of the donated equipment is used and outdated, but still usable. There was a new autoclave and a new composite light purchased by donated monies, but the lone chair was a Pelton-Crane 1970’s model. We saw five patients. The first two were for exam/consultations. Hygiene services were not planned, so I was the only assistant. After exposing the necessary radiographs, I developed them one at a time in the ‘dip tank’ processor box—6-oz. Dixie cups. One patient had a broken full maxillary denture that had been repaired numerous times with Bondo adhesive and six mandibular anterior teeth with severe decay and bone loss. This lady had not eaten solid food in seven months! All she wanted was someone to fix her denture or help her get a new one. The next two patients were there for fillings. One man presented with severe decay on the facial of tooth No. 8. He had not been able to get a full time job and had no insurance. When we finished restoring his tooth we let him look in the patient mirror; he started crying and thanked us for helping him. I really think we gave him more than just a filling. It felt so good to see him smile. He came back one hour later and donated $150 to the clinic.
Our last patient was a 9-year-old boy with severe ADHD. He was on numerous medications that were taking a toll on his teeth. Three out of his four first permanent molars were severely decayed and had draining fistulas. Most of the remaining primary teeth had significant decay. His father had obvious dental problems as well but just wanted us to help his son. He had been to four different dental offices that would only treat his son if he paid up front at a minimum of $1000 (due to the fact that sedation would be necessary). Our clinic isn’t equipped to do any sedation cases, but we were able to get him into our local dental residency program at Idaho State University.
My heart went out to this dad and his son. I’m not sure whose eyes were welling up more, mine or the dad's. I know for a fact that these are not isolated cases. Many people, especially children, go without dental care.
The American Dental Hygienists Association has developed the concept of the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner. modeled after nurse practitioners. There are so many people that we will help when the ADHP becomes a reality. As a hygienist and a mother, it saddens me to see these children in pain and their parents in despair. We will make a difference.
Welcome to my life,
Lisa
My son? Cavities? No way!
Pocatello is an area that does not have fluoride in the water system, so most parents don’t seem too surprised when their kids have decay. When my son had two cavities diagnosed at age seven, I was mortified. I felt like a plumber with a leaky sink.
How could this have happened? I limit his sweets and personally floss his teeth every night. I have even gone to the extent of brushing his teeth while he is sleeping. I never thought to look for contraband candy!
While rearranging his room, we found lemon head boxes stashed behind the heavy headboard. As I learned, keeping sugar exposures from our children’s teeth isn’t as easy as telling them no. Even the best of hygienists/mothers can be outsmarted. I have learned to accept the things I cannot control or change.
Fluoride has been proven to prevent decay. If we consistently recommend fluoride to our patients, we can feel confident we are doing the very best for them. Patients may not heed our advice every time, but we have an obligation to give it to them.
Welcome to my life,
Lisa
How could this have happened? I limit his sweets and personally floss his teeth every night. I have even gone to the extent of brushing his teeth while he is sleeping. I never thought to look for contraband candy!
While rearranging his room, we found lemon head boxes stashed behind the heavy headboard. As I learned, keeping sugar exposures from our children’s teeth isn’t as easy as telling them no. Even the best of hygienists/mothers can be outsmarted. I have learned to accept the things I cannot control or change.
Fluoride has been proven to prevent decay. If we consistently recommend fluoride to our patients, we can feel confident we are doing the very best for them. Patients may not heed our advice every time, but we have an obligation to give it to them.
Welcome to my life,
Lisa
Not a surgeon...
Shelby will be having her gallbladder removed on Thursday. We had a consultation with the surgeon yesterday, and I was very impressed with the way he explained everything to us; he even used a life-sized colored picture of the abdomen as a visual aid. The doctor spent about 45 minutes with us and not once did we feel rushed.
Of course, I don’t have the luxury of an extra 45 minutes with each patient for hygiene instructions and patient education. Luckily, as hygienists, we can talk with our hands in the patients’ mouths. I told Shelby I could remove her gallbladder but I would have to go through her mouth. Needless to say, she declined.
Welcome to my life,
Lisa
Of course, I don’t have the luxury of an extra 45 minutes with each patient for hygiene instructions and patient education. Luckily, as hygienists, we can talk with our hands in the patients’ mouths. I told Shelby I could remove her gallbladder but I would have to go through her mouth. Needless to say, she declined.
Welcome to my life,
Lisa
The Upside to Blizzards...
We had one heck of a blizzard today. It really messed up the hygiene schedule. A family of six cancelled, creating a three hour opening in the afternoon. It worked out well, though, because I really enjoy administering local anesthesia and this available time allowed me to jump in and get the operative patients seated and anesthetized for the doctor.
Too many times, hygienists get burned out doing traditional hygiene procedures. If we look for other ways to help the team, I really think burn out would decrease. I've been in private practice since 1985 and today, I love my office, in larger part because we all pitch in and help each other. There are times when I am dog tired by the end of the day, but I chalk it up to a successful day of making a difference.
Welcome to my life,
Lisa
Too many times, hygienists get burned out doing traditional hygiene procedures. If we look for other ways to help the team, I really think burn out would decrease. I've been in private practice since 1985 and today, I love my office, in larger part because we all pitch in and help each other. There are times when I am dog tired by the end of the day, but I chalk it up to a successful day of making a difference.
Welcome to my life,
Lisa
My Surprise MVP
As you know, the Packers will not be playing in the Super Bowl, but I won’t give up on them—I will still be wearing my jersey for the big game.
I had a patient in my chair this past week that hasn’t quite embraced the habit of flossing. Do I hang up my scrubs and walk away? Do I retire? Is there any hope for ‘Bob’ to become one of my A-list patients? In come the special teams: Bob’s granddaughter, 'Hannah,' came to the appointment with him and she eagerly assisted me by holding Mr. Thirsty. She peeked in Grandpa’s mouth as I was wiping debris on the cotton 2x2. She wrinkled up her nose and innocently asked him why he lets the sugar bugs grow on his teeth. You could have bought him for a dime! I would guess Bob felt like Brett Farve after he threw an interception in overtime in the playoff game. He told Hannah he would try to do better.
I pride myself on being unique and somewhat unconventional with my oral hygiene instructions. That day, I didn’t have to say a word—Hannah was my MVP for the week. Not every patient is motivated by traditional hygiene instructions, soe willing to step out of the text book and make a difference.
Welcome to my life,
Lisa
I had a patient in my chair this past week that hasn’t quite embraced the habit of flossing. Do I hang up my scrubs and walk away? Do I retire? Is there any hope for ‘Bob’ to become one of my A-list patients? In come the special teams: Bob’s granddaughter, 'Hannah,' came to the appointment with him and she eagerly assisted me by holding Mr. Thirsty. She peeked in Grandpa’s mouth as I was wiping debris on the cotton 2x2. She wrinkled up her nose and innocently asked him why he lets the sugar bugs grow on his teeth. You could have bought him for a dime! I would guess Bob felt like Brett Farve after he threw an interception in overtime in the playoff game. He told Hannah he would try to do better.
I pride myself on being unique and somewhat unconventional with my oral hygiene instructions. That day, I didn’t have to say a word—Hannah was my MVP for the week. Not every patient is motivated by traditional hygiene instructions, soe willing to step out of the text book and make a difference.
Welcome to my life,
Lisa
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