Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - (Page 41)

EDUCATION | career For the students, this provides an opportunity to get a great education without having to sacrifice so much time away from home and family. radiology, and dental materials. We have six operating chairs, three radiology rooms, and a large dental materials lab. Weekly seminar classes are held to review any upcoming concerns for the term and how the lecture material relates to clinical life. Along with these responsibilities, I am charged with the task of running the distance site. This involves such things as ordering supplies, creating the clinical schedule/rotations, overseeing that all the technology is put in place and working properly, as well as hiring staff. Thankfully, I have a wonderful two-person support staff to help accomplish these tasks, plus a team of dedicated hygienists at the main campus who support and encourage me. into a getaway, and a great place to come for soft tissue and chocolate. LOCAL NEEDS The local community also benefits from this new program. We teamed up with the LBCC Dental Assisting program to treat patients from a low-income health clinic in the area, as well as the United Way. We also are involved with the Corvallis Boys & Girls Club. In March 2008, the Boys & Girls Club opened a dental clinic under the leadership of Dr. Ken Johnson, a local retired dentist. We provide preventive care to low-income children from 1st through 12th grade. My students love this project; they are learning what it’s like to give back to the community doing something that only trained hygienists can do. Of course there are challenges. It always takes longer to get things done than I plan for and hiring staff for the clinic hasn’t been an easy job. Fortunately, two area dentists, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Carson Kutsch, have given up their personal time to come and share their knowledge and patient care expertise with the students and patients. But with so many eager and needy patients, even with the doctors’ help, we don’t have time to treat them all. Both the students and I have a hard time accepting that fact. At the end of the day I am completely exhausted and sometimes frustrated, but it is all worth it to work with these students and this program. It’s amazing how in one year this program completed so many good deeds and provided such a wonderful opportunity for the community. mh Tina Clarke, RDH, BSDH, is an instructor at Lane Community College. She is an active member in ADHA and the Oregon Dental Hygienists’ Association, serving as the Member Services/Public Relations chair. PERSONAL NEEDS For the students, this provides an opportunity to get a great education without having to sacrifice so much time away from home and family. They really enjoy having more one-on-one time with the instructor and never have to wait too long before their questions are answered. Like any program, the students form tight bonds with each other, and since we are such a small group, that bond is especially strong. Having a small group gives me the opportunity to know my students on a more personal level. Not only am I their instructor but also their advisor. Since they don’t have a set lecture class time, I help them plan their days, reminding them to keep life balanced with school, family, and some down time. I have continual discussions about professionalism and what the American Dental Hygienists’ Association does for hygienists. I work hard to keep them focused on their goals while recognizing small successes along the way. During times of stress and frustration my office turns October 2008 | modern hygienist 41

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

Modern Hygienist - October 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Letters News Modern Solutions Trends: Homecare Trends: Perio Trends: Ergo Trends: Mid Care After Chemo Professional Rewind Esthetic Expertise: Make or Break Relationship Hands-on Hygiene: Have You Seen the Light? Going the Distance Training for Life Presi-dental Politics Ad Index Moonlighting

Modern Hygienist - October 2008

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