Professionalism

Professionalism has taken many forms over my two years in the program.
When I first arrived at
the dental hygiene program, I had just left my full-time position at a dental laboratory. I felt very
confident in my ability to behave in a professional manner as an employee. My idea of professionalism
has grown while I have progressed though this program to mean more than just being a desirable
employee. At the start of the program, I already knew how to be early, prepared, and work appropriate.
During my last semester especially, I have picked up on more subtle ways that hygienists can be
professional.
Everyone is taught to dress appropriately, talk suitably, and act cordially. Professionalism dives
deeper than this. My first practice with these less blatant ways to be professional was with a patient in
my first semester. He presented with a language barrier. We are given tools to deal with this, but not
taught in class was the ability to apply unconventional applications of professionalism. I found myself
getting anxious at the time crunch we would be placed under and the possibility of lost information
between us. I realized quickly that I was worrying about myself, my education, and my scores when I
needed to be focused on the person in my chair. I slowed my mind with a deep breath and continued. I
was able to demonstrate my ability to put the patient first after refocusing my priority. The obvious
manifestation of professionalism would have been to do my job and keep a friendly demeanor. I was able
to soar past that bare minimum and exhibit my ability to give my patient the absolute best appointment
for them, not my grading criteria. This less blatant form showed itself as getting my extremely shy, timid,
and reserved patient to open up to me about their concerns. He confided in me that he struggles
immensely due to his oral health. As a high school student, he confessed that he was isolated due to his
halitosis. By the end of the appointment, he displayed enormous gratitude. He stated that no one had
ever explained things to him or listened to his concerns. He communicated that the oral hygiene
instruction I gave him was very helpful and he was incredibly happy to leave with that information. While
I did perform a prophylaxis, the most vital thing I did that day was spend the extra time just talking.
In my last semester of clinic, I had a lovely older patient in my chair. She was due for an exam by
the doctor. After hearing of a failing tooth, the patient’s mood shifted slightly. The doctor did not notice
and went about the rest of their duties. I took a moment to ask the patient if they needed any
clarification or support. She remained quiet and I could tell something was weighing heavy on her mind.
We had built a great rapport in the hour we had just spent together, and she opened up about how
embarrassing and concerning it was to have to remove more of her teeth. Instead of blowing past her
concerns, I took a minute to pause the appointment, put down my instruments, and really listen to her
concerns. She spent a few teary-eyed minutes explaining her anxiety before I offered her solace. I knew
that my ‘job’ was to scale her teeth, but what the patient needed in that moment was a listening ear.
Even though some of our appointment time was not directed at the physical cleaning, I believe the time
was much more impactful to help clear the emotional troubles the patient was feeling. I left that
appointment feeling proud of the clinician I have become. During my first semester, I may not have
noticed this discomfort because I would have been hyper focused at the task at hand of removing every
grain of calculus. While my scaling may not have been absolutely perfect, I believe my care of that
patient was. Being a member of the health care team means we provide our patients with individualized
care, and what my patient needed that day was someone to take notice of her and be there for her.
Before I started this program, I strongly identified as a perfectionist. I no longer wear that label, because
I have come to learn there are more important things than being flawless.

Professionalism

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Professionalism has taken many forms over my two years in the program.

When I first arrived at

confident in my ability to behave in a professional manner as an employee. My idea of professionalism

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