I am a Dental Hygienist

PeggyS

Peggy Crooper, RDH

I am a dental hygienist… and I love what I do.

I am a dental hygienist. I am not a dental assistant and I am not a dentist.

“Yes, I am qualified to do this. Yes, I am licensed to do this. Yes, I went to school for this. Yes, what I told you is true”.

RDH3

I am a dental hygienist.

No, I do not “just clean teeth.”

Yes I do scale above and below your gum tissues to remove calculus, bacteria, and plaque from your teeth.

Yes I do polish your teeth.

Is that all I do? I will let you decide.

I am a dental hygienist.

I give multiple injections to make sure you are comfortable.

I administer nitrous oxide to make sure you are not nervous.

I take x-rays of your teeth to detect bone loss, decay and restorations.

I take complete comprehensive health histories; I take your vital signs, perform oral cancer screenings and periodontal exams to ensure not only your oral health, but your overall health.

I counsel and motivate you with tobacco cessation, nutritional counseling and oral health care. I recommend you seek medical attention if it is in your best interest.

I treat your children and I apply fluoride and sealants to save you the time, pain and expense that comes with tooth decay.

I help you achieve that whiter smile and fresh breath to give you more confidence. We know that gum disease has a contribution to other diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. We are learning more everyday about this systemic link and I educate you about this link.

But I “just clean teeth.”

RDHs

I am a dental hygienist.

They tell me it is not a real job. They don’t know that I went to school and have a degree.

Some have devalued my profession. Many do not even know that we are a profession.

They do not even know what to call me.

I am a dental hygienist.

I have been trained to respond to medical emergencies and give CPR.

I have learned and understand how to treat a variety of patients.

I research their medical conditions, accommodate their special needs and put their concerns as a priority.

I have extensive knowledge of the general sciences, Anatomy, Microbiology, Human Development, Pharmacology, and Psychology.

I have to be well versed in oral pathology and I look for signs of oral disease, pathology, and cancer.

I have learned to take multiple forms of x-rays and I am able to understand and explain pathology if present.

I have developed the extremely difficult skill and techniques of scaling that strains my hands, my neck, and my back while making sure you are not in pain.

I am a dental hygienist.

They say anyone can do what I do.

They say its “just a cleaning.”

I am a dental hygienist.

To be considered for Dental Hygiene school, I made A’s in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Anatomy, and Physiology. I took 2 years of higher-level courses in Psychology, Mathematics, English, and other required course work.

Once accepted, I had 2 years of intensive clinical training, alongside detailed courses in Head and Neck Anatomy and Physiology, Oral Pathology, Pharmacology, Dental Anatomy, Human Development, and Public Health.

I had countless clinical examinations.

I had someone watching over my shoulder while I tried not to shake.

I had 50 patient cancellations and no-shows.

I often had to pay my patients to allow me to treat them.

I had anxiety and cried weekly.

I still have nightmares about school a year after graduation.

I took 5 licensing exams, while my nursing friends took one.

I paid thousands of extra dollars for my dental instruments, licenses, and loupes on top of my tuition. I will be paying student loans for years. And now that I am working and out of school, I must continue to take multiple courses every year to remain current and to maintain my licenses.