Modern Hygienist - September 2008 - (Page 29)

MENTORING | career “It’s important not to forget where you come from and the gifts you’ve been given.” — Gabriela Lopes From Gabriela Since graduating ﬁve years ago, I’ve been working as a full-time dental hygienist. After serving in many ofﬁces, I’ve learned much and earned good pay, but I was never truly fulﬁlled. During college, I worked several rotations, many of them through volunteer-based programs. It feels great to give back and many of us, deep down, promise to help one day—when we make it. As time goes on, we get caught up in our lives and the thought gets pushed back, no longer the priority. For me, the feeling never left my heart. Volunteering became my passion. Going back on my college rotations, I contacted St. Basil’s Church, which is known as, “the free people’s clinic.” Although the clinic is located in a struggling area, I understood the importance of being there, and even though I don’t have a car, I take the train and the bus once a month to make it. The demand for free dental care has far exceeded my expectations. Working completely through donations, the clinic is in desperate need for equipment and dedicated professionals to support and treat the volume of patients who need care. This December, my passion will take my craft to a different level as I will spend two weeks in Mexico volunteering with the “Intercambio Cultural Maya.” I am excited to be able to help and encourage you to take part in this experience. If you’re interested in more information, visit www.prairienet.org/maya/ medical.html. GIVING BACK For Ms. Lopes, the most important people in dental hygiene aren’t the ones you see in your operatory day after day— they’re the ones who don’t make it in. Volunteer work was a huge part of Ms. Lopes’ dental hygiene school experience. She was shocked by how few dental hygienists make good on their promises to continue to “give back” after graduation. She vowed to be different. “Coming from Brazil, a third-world country, my mom and dad lived well, but as a child, my dad came from a family of 11 and they had to share a liter of milk and a stick of bread between them,” she explains. “It’s important not to forget where you come from and to recognize the gifts you’ve been given.” Understandably, volunteering is a big part of Ms. Lopes’ life. Ideally, she would like to find a way to volunteer full-time, but until then, she works at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago and is going on a dental mission trip to Mexico later this year. Previously, she had volunteered with Illinois Masonic Hospital, treating handicapped patients and children with Down Syndrome as well as taking the time to educate parents and caregivers. “One patient was 18 years old, mentally challenged, came from a family with limited finances, and didn’t let anybody touch him. I made Can’t do without… (Clockwise from top left) She’s seen great results with PerioProtect (perioprotect.com), a new method of treating gum disease, watching gums go from 6 mm to 3-4 mm pockets. Next, a sweet shot of Fortaleza, Recife in Brazil, her hometown. An avid traveler, she’s been to more than 10 countries! Colgate PreviDent (colgate.com) meets her needs for cavity control and sensitivity. And finally: volleyball. She’s been playing since she was 9. and it makes us feel good at the same time.” PICK YOUR PASSION him my patient,” Ms. Lopes remembers. “I would volunteer on the day he regularly came in so that he and I could build a rapport. He allowed me to become the person that cares for him.” Of course, she knows that kind of investment isn’t for everyone. “If you can only do it twice a year, then do that. It sends a message,” she says. “It takes one person at a time, stepping up to make a difference. We can make a huge impact While volunteering is the heartbeat of Ms. Lopes’ professional life, she encourages everyone to take the time to identify what it is they’re passionate about, and go for it. “My passion is having the freedom to live my life and not sweat the small stuff. Not everyone is going to be a great patient, and we need to all just accept that,” she says with a laugh. “Rather than get caught up in worries, we should focus on what it takes to make every day a great day.” mh September 2008 | modern hygienist 29 http://www.perioprotect.com http://www.colgate.com http://www.prairienet.org/maya/medical.html http://www.prairienet.org/maya/medical.html

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Modern Hygienist - September 2008

Modern Hygienist - September 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Letters Modern Solutions Access Denied Kids First: Creating Comfort Worn Out? Voice of a VIP Hands-on Hygiene: Magnification In Focus Digital Persuasion That "Other" Female Cancer Ad Index Classifieds Moonlighting

Modern Hygienist - September 2008

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