As my time as a dental hygiene student at Fones comes to an end, I cant express how grateful I am for all the wonderful experiences. This program has helped me gain a wealth of knowledge, not only in the dental hygiene field but also in myself. It is true that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Though the program was challenging at times, it never fell shy of being rewarding.
Going into the program I was unsure of what to expect. I knew the dental hygiene field was something I wanted to learn more about. Through out the program I feel as if every day I achieved an accomplishment. Whether it was in clinic with a patient, or passing an exam during one of our lecture courses. This program had opened my eyes to new experiences as well as knowledge. I look back at my first few weeks and reflect on how I felt in the moments and I am blown away by how far I have come. How far the whole class of 2017 has come. The first few days in the program I was timid and nervous and couldn't help but think this would be a never ending experience. It's bitter sweet to think the final stages are approaching. Through out the program there has been ups and downs, as with anything in life. Though there were many challenges, I always seemed to prevail.
When I reflect on the courses I have completed through out the past two years, I now have confidents I am prepared for a professional career as a dental hygienist. The different clinic rotation prepared us for all different aspects in the field. To reflect upon some of the rotations, I shall start from the beginning of the Fall 2016 semester. My first rotation being integrative clinic. It seems so long ago. In this rotation, we were able to co-treat with the other UB clinics. This was an awesome experience, we were able to view all conditions as a whole. Applying the knowledge that the oral cavity effects other systemic functions. With the medical field moving towards a more integrative stance, this experience will become helpful in the future. It was great for me having this as my first rotation, I believe it help prepare me for the rotations to come. A following rotation was Southwest. On this rotation we would be working at the Southwest dental clinic in Bridgeport, CT. On this rotation, we were giving a better idea of what a dental appointment in a private practice setting would entitle. We were able to take radiographs, treat patients or assist while other students treated patients. On our Tisdale rotation, we would be spending our time at he Tisdale Elementary School also located in Bridgeport, CT. With Fones having a dental clinic located at the school, we were able to treat the children right there as long as the parents or guardians consent was obtained. This was one of the post rewarding rotations in my opinion. We were able to help a population in great need. It was sad to see how some of the children's oral health was neglected, but fulfilling knowing that we were there to help. In this rotation children were able to come down to the clinic to have their 6 month cleanings and sealants places as preventative care. Having such a great experience on this rotation, it will also be where I complete my internship during the summer of 2017. During our pediatric rotation we visited day cares and head start programs to preform screenings on the children, as well as, educate the on oral hygiene and nutrition. We also put together lesion plans and to help educate the children. Using age appropriate activities and poster boards. While on the Norwalk rotation, as a group we attended the dental clinic with in Norwalk Hospital. Here we would be treating all different populations, whether it be special needs patients, patients with dental anxiety, or patient with severe periodontal involvement. On this rotation we also had the opportunity to visit the OR while the dentist treated patients under general anesthesia. Rotations where we are in clinic, we are able to advance our clinical skills. Doing so through collection of patient data. Inputting patient medical history, demographic information, vitals and building a patient rapport. We advance and prove competency in our clinical skills by preforming our professional tasks such as;patient medical history, extra-oral and intra oral exams, completing radiographs, restorative charting, perio charting, accretions charting, patient educations and debridement. Also advance other support services such as; intra-oral camera, VELscope, cariVu, sealants (traditional, L-pop, and Fuji), oral irrigation, placement of arestin, amalgam polishing and local injections. Lastly, for my final rotation here at Fones, I will be on community health rotation. On this rotation we will be screening and educating patient in nursing homes and substance abuse programs. I look forward to see the knowledge I will gain on my last rotation at Fones. As stated earlier, this program prepares us for all the different aspects of the dental field.
I couldn't be happier with my decision to attends Fones School of Dental Hygiene. The experiences and knowledge gained is unforgettable. I can't believe how far I have come from being that nervous first year student, to now preparing for graduation and boards examination. The time here was challenging indeed, but it is important to remember you cannot grow if you do not step out of your comfort zone.