It was during third year I started to have clinical rotations with the graduate periodontal students, where I had the opportunity to observe and assist in a couple of surgeries with my assigned graduate periodontal student. Until then, I realized my lack of knowledge in the graduate periodontal department, and I yearned to learn more about them and how dental hygienists can collaborate with them.
During fourth year, I was assigned to present a treatment planning seminar on any kind of intervention, and luckily, a client of mine needed referral to the graduate periodontal student at that time. Therefore, I thought this was the perfect time to collaborate with a graduate periodontal student, and it turned out to be a huge learning experience.
My client was referred to receive implants. Together, the grad student and I with research use, scientific investigation and critical thinking compiled treatment plans for dental hygiene and graduate periodontal programs. From literature, I learnt useful information such as risks of peri-implant disease and how it can be controlled or prevented in dental hygiene, such as poor plaque control and history of periodontal disease. Significantly, we were able to achieve a shared goal.
I realized that my confidence in collaborating with other health professionals to ensure optimal care for my client has improved, as well as my communication skills. I began to think of other health professionals whom I can personally collaborate with as well, and I hope to have those opportunities in the near future.