Category Archives: Primary Care Provider

Teaming up with other health professionals!

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As a health care professional, one should provide care that is high-quality and client centered. To achieve this, interprofessional collaboration is a must. (1)  I was able demonstrate this with my client, Mr. F, that had schizophrenia, artificial heart valves, and SLE. Firstly, for the dental hygiene care be delivered, I had to work with Mr.F and the facility to schedule an appointment that that fit best for all of us. I also had to collaborate with the on site nurse and Mr. F’s physician. There was a need for pre-medication of Clindamycin prior to dental hygiene treatment due to Mr. F’s artificial heart valve. The nurse then phoned Mr.F’s physician and had the order in for 600mg of Clindamycin. Also, since Mr. F was on warfarin, I asked the nurse about his INR levels. The nurse did not know and we had to contact the physician again. Subsequently, Mr. F had to be taken off the blood thinner 48 hours prior to treatment. With the collaboration with the client, facility, the nurse, and GP I was able to deliver dental hygiene care that was quality assured.

Reference

1. Zwarenstein M, Goldman J, Reeves S. Interprofessional collaboration: effects of practice-based interventions on professional practice and healthcare outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;(3):CD000072.

Mr. C (Clinical Therapy)

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Prior to entering the program, I had a misconception that the oral health literacy of the general population were at a particular standard. As we live in country where the health care system is ranked top 30. Also, my parents have always had dental insurance and I would visit the dental office every six months. However, I gradually learn throughout the program, a client’s oral status and oral health perceptions is mediated by social determinants. In my senior years in dental hygiene, I was able to experience what we learned in class first hand. Mr.C a 65 year old man who was recently divorced,neglected by family members and recently moved to east Vancouver. With the castastrophe Mr. C was experiencing in his current stage of life, his oral health was in a similar state. When asked when was the last time he brushed, he stated he could not remember. Mr. C acknowledged that he had neglected taking care of his oral health, but also stated that he stopped brushing his teeth due to pain and the excessive bleeding. Mr. C thought that the bleeding of his gums was caused by his tooth brushing. Through debridement, client education, and oral self care sessions, there was a gradual improvement of his oral health. Moreover, there was visible change in his overall well-being as well. There was an increase in self-esteemed as Mr. C understood that he had control over his own oral health. He would enthusiastically give me weekly updates of the decrease in bleeding that he was experiencing. In addition, he would tell me about how he was meeting up with friends more often now as well. Through the supportive dental hygiene care that I was providing Mr. C was able to maintain his oral health and optimize his oral functions.

Community externship at Pioneer ( Clinical Therapy)

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During term 1, I had the opportunity to experience what it was like for a dental hygienist to work in a community setting. More specifically, our group was allocated to the mental illness population. For the special needs population, there appears to be more complications with their systemic health, mental health, psychosocial health, and drug interactions. Thus, it important as a dental hygienist to record a detailed and in depth assessment. One of my client had schizophrenia, artificial heart valves, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and had penicillin allergy. Moreover, he was on a whole list of medications. As a primary care giver, it was my responsibility to ensure the side-effects of the drugs, possible contraindications, and also see if pre-medication is necessary prior to treatment. Through the use research, critical thinking, and communication and collaboration with the on site nurse, some adjustments were made to his medications prior to treatment. My client’s warfarin had to be taken off 48 hours prior to treatment and 600mg of Clindamycin had to be ingested one hour prior. Ultimately, clinical therapy was demonstrated by identifying clients at risk for medical emergencies and I used appropriate strategies to minimize such risks.