I had the pleasure of visiting Charity Alexander- Williams my dental hygiene to inquire about the dental hygiene profession: her experience, the demands, and etc. Charity has been a practicing Dental Hygienist for 4 years. Prior to attending Georgia Perimeter College to obtain her Associate Degree she was a full time dental technician in a dental lab for fifteen years. She admitted she was an introvert, and didn’t want to work closely with patients. Her orthodontist …show more content…
Patience and being understanding are good traits. For example some patients may be uneasy about dental work and oral examinations. A good dental hygienist is patient with people who may be afraid of coming into the dental office and will be understanding about their fears. A dental hygienist should work to make the patient relaxed and comfortable and should fully explain the health reasons and steps behind everything he or she does inside the patient’s mouth. The mouth is a very small space, so it’s essential that a dental hygienist pays careful attention to detail when working in a patient’s mouth. Skills with your hands is crucial in such a small space, as the slightest nudge to a sensitive tooth can be extremely painful for a patient. Part of a dental hygienist’s job is to educate patients about good oral health practices. Dental hygienists that are passionate about oral health and general health can be a role models to patients and help them modify their behaviors to focus on preventative maintenance on their teeth and gums to avoid disease in the future. Charity stressed the importance of possessing the physical stamina and staying fit. Reiterating you are moving throughout the day sometimes sitting, standing, working with repetitive motions, and etc. Be physically and mentally prepared, it’s just a part of the job. One of the most ingredients for an RDH to possess has to be a positive attitude. A positive attitude goes a long way. Many patients prefer energetic, friendly and outgoing hygienists to ease some of their stress about coming to the dentist’s