Experience
Code of Ethics
EDUCATOR
During my time as a student, the opportunity to get become a “peer teacher” exposed mee to various types of patients that my peers had. It allowed me to put my knowledge to the test. Being able to identify lessons, detect various amount of calculous, Oral cancer screenings, and probing measurements. Having this exposure, it allowed me to have discussions with patient as this was an important step in becoming the best educator I can be.
ADMINISTRATOR
The school allowed me to participate in front desk duties, such as confirming patients via landline, pulling and filing charts and checking in new or returning patients.
RESEARCHER
Throughout my time in school, in our didactics courses I conducted various amount of research on different topics such as A “PICO” research that allowed me to conduct a survey on vaping within teenagers. These research papers where essential and beneficial when applying it as a lifelong learner.
ADVOCATE
A highlight in being able to advocate the importance of our dental health was when I volunteered at a rural public school. It is critical in knowing that advocating OHI doesn’t always have to being strict and straight forwarded. Engaging the youth with fun activities that demonstrate OHI is important. That day we as a class did just that. Not only did they leave with knowledge on how to maintain their teeth bacteria free but with a memory that will last a lifetime.
PUBLIC HEALTH
I had the opportunity to help in the special need runathon. A non-profit organization. Where we helped raise money, gave out bags that contained toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, and an hourglass timer. Helping the community and those in need is a lifelong goal of mine. This is something that will continue to stay fresh in my books.
CLINICIAN : During my time as a student. I was able to see different types of patients. These patients all had two things in common. One, the lack of knowledge on proper OHI and Two their determination of keeping their oral hygiene up to date. The neglect that has been done is lack of knowledge or embarrassment. Being able to educate the patients that immunocompromised on how important removal of bacteria is. This allowed me to practice the importance on how modifying their appointments in and off the chair is for their health and comfort.
Community Outreach
Senior Community Center
Classmates and I volunteered at a beloved center. Here we socialized with the seniors and demonstrated OHI for prosthetic work such as dentures, partial dentures, and implants.
Rural School Outreach
To spice things up, as a class, we came up with a skit to present to each age group. The skit was detailed, short, and engaging. Demonstrating and advocating the importance of nutrition, brush and flossing.
Special Needs Olympics
This particular event was so much fun! Socializing, making "Goodie bags", all while educating! Being a part of such a huge event has by far excited any of my expectations.
Patient Care
CASE TYPE
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PATIENT DEMOGRAPHICS
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ADJUNCTS
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Lifelong Learning
2024 Dental Hygiene Convention
My first of many Dental Hygiene Convention. I’ve made an oath to continue a lifelong commitment in learning and keeping up to date with the latest technology.
ADHA social networking and mentors is a huge priority for me in this new path! Allowing me to stay connected.
Caries Process and Prevention Strategies: Diagnosis
This CE helped me to understand how a change from surgical repair of caries to prevention has influenced caries diagnosis methods. Explain why caries diagnosis is important. Discuss the difference between the medical and dental perspective of caries diagnosis. Identify the tools and diagnostic criteria of visual–tactile methods. Be familiar with the benefits and limitations of visual–tactile methods. Identify diagnostic criteria of the bitewing radiography method, as well as its benefits and limitations. Be familiar with newer methods of caries lesion detection and assessment, including methods based on Xrays, light, and electrical current.
Caries Process and Prevention Strategies: The Agent
This CE refreshed how define dental caries. Discuss the medical history of caries along with its natural history. Identify the combination of factors required for caries to develop, and how sub-factors influence this process. Define dental plaque as a microbial biofilm. Describe the development and maturation of dental plaque. Understand the microbial diversity of plaque and recognize it as an ecosystem. Discuss the ecological plaque hypothesis. Name the bacteria associated with caries. Discuss how the acidity in the oral environment is the major determinant of plaque ecology. Identify how bacteria convert dietary carbohydrates to acids.
Caries Process and Prevention Strategies: Epidemiology
This CE I learned the need for epidemiological studies. How to apply the results of oral epidemiology studies to clinical practice. Be familiar with the prevalence, incidence, and trends of dental caries in the United States. Describe the value of the DMF index in measuring oral disease. Use the DMF index to measure the prevalence of dental caries. Understand the results of the NHANES surveys that are related to dental caries. Identify the factors that may or may not affect the DMF scores in adults. Calculate a DMFT, DMFS, dmft or dmfs index score from a patient tooth charting.
Dentinal Hypersensitivity: A Review
This CE allowed me to understand the prevalence of dentinal hypersensitivity and common contributing factors. Thought me the hydrodynamic theory, widely accepted as the cause for dentinal sensitivity. Discuss common diagnostic tools. List common ingredients used in at-home and in-office desensitizing products. Discuss the mode of action of common ingredients. Discuss the clinical evidence behind common treatment approaches including in-office treatments.
Biofilm: A New View of Plaque
This CE refreshed how to state a definition of biofilm. Discuss the positive and negative aspects of biofilm formation in nature. Include examples of how biofilm provides benefits and harms. Compare and contrast the differing views of bacterial plaque at three points in time: 1880-1930; 1930-1960; and 1960 to current times. Compare and contrast the behavior of bacteria as grown on culture plates with their behavior in biofilms. Describe strategies used currently for control of oral biofilm. List the strategies that are under consideration for control of oral biofilms.
Periodontics: Oral Health and Wellness I. Understanding Periodontal Health, Recognizing Disease States and Choices in Treatment Strategies
This CE allowed me to understand components of the healthy periodontium. Define periodontal health goals. Understand an overview of periodontal physiology and bone remodeling. Identify manifestations of diseased periodontium. Understand periodontal disease classification. Describe patterns of attachment loss and their prognostic and treatment implications. Evaluate choices of treatment strategies and how they meet periodontal health goals.
Oral Complications of Cancer Therapy Part 2: Radiation Therapy and Medication-related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
With this CE recorded webinar, it defined the importance of radiation therapy, oral complications of cancer therapy and medications related to Osteonecrosis of the Jaw. How and when to treat a patient that is actively going through chemotherapy. How and what to prescribe for those with medications that leads to xerostomia.