I love the patient contact and the difference I can make to their lives by improving their oral health and systemic wellbeing. I provide my patients with a listening ear and have been there for them in many situations such as depression, anxiety and grief.
In my short career, I have seen a handful of patients with suspected oral cancers and basal cell carcinomas which I have referred. This has been a pivotal point in my career as I realise the importance of a profession like mine.
An early diagnosis would provide a better outcome for my patients. This highlights the importance of direct access which means that a patient may see me without visiting a dentist first, thus giving them more options for treatments and appointment availability
I am an avid member and executive committee member of the British Society of Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists (BSDHT). This has been a vital element of my career – keeping up to date with the profession and empowering new and current members into utilising their full skill set.
We ordinarily work with a general dentist who is responsible for prescribing items like local anaesthesia and fluoride, things we routinely need and use on a daily basis. We can however work within our scope via direct access.
The biggest challenge I have to date is prescribing rights for certain medications and products to complete my job with the best outcome for my patients. Improving patients’ options is something that my profession is working toward.