This past Saturday was a big step for my governing body. Unfortunately it wasn't exactly what dental hygienists all over BC want, however, it's a step in the right direction! I'm soo proud to be a dental hygienist in BC as we have such a great education basis and can take our knowledge anywhere! Hopefully the next step of removing the 365 day rule with higher education, specifically a degree in health science through interprofessional collaboration (as this would benefit everyone in this area greatly) and goes through within the next couple years. I know I will be supporting them as much as I can to get the process moving. It's outrageous that dentists are governing hygienists... We have our own college governing us. It's all about money and power with the gov... Anywhooo
The past couple months I have been privilege enough to go on rotations, meaning I go out into the community to enhance the general populations overall knowledge base and hopefully enable them to focus on prevention rather then treatment after the problem has already occurred. I went on a rotation to a daycare on the downtown east side. The group of children had significant caries and pain in their mouth when asked... It broke my heart to see these children with cavities. The parents told us the kids went home every day after our lesson and asked their parents if they could brush! We taught them all about good foods vs bad foods, how to brush their teeth, and what it's like to visit a dental hygienist.the only downfall we found was the parents are the ones buying the foods and will be the ones to continue the habit of brushing and flossing, so we held a parent information night. There were HUGE giveaways and every single parent came up to us and asked a question, whether it was to do Witt their oral health or their children's, where they could get extra financial help for their kids and so on. It was such a great experience! I wouldn't trade that for the world.
Next I went to the hospital to deride one persons teeth, It was the most calculus I have ever seen. The poor guy had white coat syndrome, so he never went to a hygienist/dentist unless in severe pain. Meaning he has never had his teeth cleaned iris life... I provided him with information regarding how his oral health is linked to his overall health. I could work in a hospital setting for sure. If someone needs a big surgery and does not have optimal oral health they bring that person into the hygienists care in the hospital. The hygienist dismisses which ever client he/she might have and removes the bacteria and debris for this client that will be undergoing surgery.
We have presented information to other oral health professionals at dental conferences which is pretty neat too. It's amazing working as a health professional and to know that we are finally there in our professional and educational level of experience. We presented the social determinants of health and what impact we as health professionals could make.
Within the next couple weeks we will be attending a residential care facility to discuss oral health linked to systemic health, denture care, brushing, tracheotomies and npo related to hygiene. It will be another great experience. I can't wait.
Only a few more days until graduation day is here! I cannot wait to get out there and start working and gain more experience. I made a promise to myself to go to the schools in my area and present information and fun activities for children. Hopefully motivate them to focus on prevention rather then treating after the problem has occurred,
I am so proud of what my colleagues and i have accomplished and where we are taking dental hygiene.
