2018 Student Essay Contest
It's time again for our Annual Student Essay Contest!
This year, we've decided to look into ADHA and being part of your student chapter. We'd love to know how being part of it as helped you learn and grow as a person and as a dental hygienist. Any fun activities you've done? Any great events or volunteer opportunities that your classmates have been involved in? What have you learned from being part of the events and a dental hygiene community? We want to know!
Winner will be chosen and given $100, a prize package from our shop, and be published on Hygiene Edge. Email your submissions by August 1 to hygieneedge@gmail.com.
We're so excited to hear what you've been up to with the ADHA and SADHA!
Fine print: You must be a current dental hygiene student OR have graduated dental hygiene school in the last 6 months. Entries are due August 1, 2018 and should be emailed to hygieneedge@gmail.com. All writing must be original work. Entry must been less than 1000 words long. Photos can be included, but must be copyright free.
Advice for the Recent Dental Hygiene Graduate
Being a recent dental hygiene graduate is full of emotion. For one, relief that you made it through a really tough program! Sadness that you won't see your new best friends that you've been hanging out with every day for the last two years, and nervousness as you set out to find your perfect job. We've been compiling advice from hygienists all over the US and Canada for you recent grads! Things they wish they would've known when they graduated, how to keep hygiene instresting, and how to be dental hygiene for the long haul.
"Try and get as much experience temping in multiple offices as possible. You're able to find out what you like and most of the time, temping can lead to a permanent job." Courtney Calder
"Be confident, especially in your knowledge and skills. However, you must still be teachable and know that you are still going to learn something new every day." Mandy Faucette, graduated in 2012
"The advice I would get be after 30+years is to get to know your patients. Build a relationship. You'll help them want to improve their oral health and do what you ask when they know you care. It's simple. But very powerful." Karen Alston
"I would say my best advice is to value your education and be willing to continue learning. I think we are very well educated and that sometimes we are discredited, by dentists, our patients who think we're the same as assistants, and even each other when people go to different schools. But we are very knowledgeable and have all the knowledge and skills that we need to provide excellent patient care. We need to be confident about that. But at the same time, we also need to be willing to learn from our peers and search out the latest information that is continually being released so we can make sure we are providing the best patient care." Chanci Oyler, graduated in 2008
"You have a professional degree, but your learning doesn't stop now. Take the time to develop yourself personally, gain emotional intelligence, and have courage. Your courage will help you as you evolve professionally but it will also help you uphold your integrity and your dental hygiene oath. Remember the galaxy is your limit!" Jazmin Haley
"When you first graduate, trying to find the perfect job can be tough. Take your time and do a lot of temping to see what you like in an office, what you don't, and to be exposed to many different software systems, instruments, and office dynamics. Don't stress, which I know is hard, if the perfect 5 day/week office doesn't fall into your lap right away. Just like it dental hygiene school, it all works out! Congratulations on joining an amazing profession!" Melia Lewis, graduated in 2009
"One of the most important things is to keep learning and working on developing your skills, especially in dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment planning, also clinical skills take a while before they develop fully.
Also, if you have a diploma or associates degree, get a bachelor's degree ASAP. It won't affect your income in clinical practice, but you will have more career options later on, in case you want a change from clinical practice Also, even if money is tight, get disability insurance. I worked with someone who was in a car collision soon after graduation, she could not work for six months.." Linda Douglas
"GET A MENTOR YESTERDAY and Networking really does matter." Elicia Lucpoli
"Pay attention to the ergonomics/kinesiology experts. Too many careers ruined by bad backs and other chronic workplace injuries in this job. Avoid working in offices with 12 o'clock delivery." Scott Ross
Thank you to everyone who offered advice to our recent grads!
What advice would you give yourself as a recent gradute?
Ways To Stay Positive In Dental Hygiene School
I look back on my first week of dental hygiene school with a sort of fond envy. I was so full of excitement and energy, two things which are hard to come across as a second year dental hygiene student. I will admit that the stress and demand of school has taken a toll on my sanity and my social life, but I’ve found little ways to cope and keep my chin up. Here are a few:
Hygiene Edge is excited to announce the winner of our 1st Student Essay Contest- Taylor Robell! Taylor is currently a second year dental hygiene student at Fortis College in Phoenix, Arizona. We've included her essay "Ways to Say Positive in Dental Hygiene School" below for both students and current hygienists to learn from.
I look back on my first week of dental hygiene school with a sort of fond envy. I was so full of excitement and energy, two things which are hard to come across as a second year dental hygiene student. I will admit that the stress and demand of school has taken a toll on my sanity and my social life, but I’ve found little ways to cope and keep my chin up:
1. Do something simple and fun. Doing small things that interest you has been proven to help boost positivity and productivity. It’s science! I like to do small crafts and DIY projects that I can use around the house. Online shops like Darby Smart have tons of simple and easy project ideas. If you’re on a budget, Do it on a Dime is a great YouTube channel for projects using items found at the dollar store.
2. Start a motivational Pinterest board. It might sound cheesy, but never underestimate the power of Pinterest. There are tons of motivational quotes and stories on Pinterest that you can reference. There are also plenty of dental hygiene memes which are good for a laugh when you need it most!
3. Set short-term goals. We all know that graduating and passing boards is the end goal, but long-term goals don’t do much for present day positivity. It doesn’t have to be anything major to have a big impact. My current goal is to walk 10,000 steps a day. Setting measurable and attainable goals can be huge for your happiness.
4. Start a thought journal. One of the things I struggled with the most initially was bringing my stress home and letting it rub off on my family. Instead of venting about how miserable I was at school that day, I write it down and let it exist only on the pages of my journal. It’s made me a happier person and helped my relationships as well.
5. Try a new recipe. Think back to anatomy and physiology and release those endorphins by eating something delicious! The All Recipes app is a great tool for discovering new recipes. The “Dinner Spinner” feature allows you to select recipes that take a certain amount of time. It’s perfect for busy college students who don’t have hours to spend making food!
6. Build a support system. The one redeeming factor about dental hygiene school is that you’re not alone. Simply surrounding yourself with like-minded people can be a gratifying tool for coping with stress. If you haven’t already, get together with classmates outside of school. Try new things and enjoy the moment you’re in.
7. Do something nice for someone else. One thing that never fails to recharge my passion for life is helping others. But you don’t have to donate hours of your time at the local food bank to accomplish this. Simply buy a stranger’s coffee or help an elderly woman with her groceries and I promise you’ll feel the difference almost instantly.
8. Remember that it’s okay to ask for help. It is so important to constantly evaluate your well-being and mental health. Dental hygiene school can be a major life-changing event, so know the symptoms of anxiety and depression. If you feel that way, you’re not alone. Roughly 30% of college students report feeling so depressed that it’s difficult to function. Know the signs and know when to get help.
It’s no secret that dental hygiene school is a constant battle. But with the right tools and an army of support, you won’t have to fight alone!
Thank you to all the students who entered! We loved each essay and how personal and pertinent the topic is to current dental hygiene students.