In third year, I was sent to the Developmental Disabilities Association to educate the clients about oral health care. In a group of three students, we first conducted a verbal assessment of the clients’ needs. Subsequently, we conducted lessons in both a verbal and interactive manner, in order to garner more interest with the population. With this assignment, I have learned to collaborate with my colleagues as it was not always easy to think of ways to describe oral health terms simply. Also, we learned to delegate tasks to each individual so that the lesson would run more smoothly. Tasks included controlling the music (for ZUMBA), handing out information, leading the group and more.
Category: 01: Professionalism
Collaboration: Interprofessional Education
I was able to participate in the UBC Health Connect in 2017 and learned a lot about the need for each profession to collaborate. Interestingly enough, I realized how small my program is compared to the other health-care programs available at UBC. I realized that there is an increased need for each and every one of us dental hygiene students to be competent and knowledgeable in our disciplines. During the session, we were given ethical dilemmas and asked to answer them based on each one of our profession’s code of ethics. One thing I learned about collaboration through this activity is that sometimes, different aspects are not incorporated into the scope of each profession, which further highlights the need for inter-professional collaboration. If I am not sure about something but I feel the topic is better encompassed by another profession, always refer!
Communication: ISSofBC
My first experience in community was at the Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia.(1) We participated in a class learning English. In my group of four students, I was able to first do an assessment of the oral health literacy of the class, and then devise a couple lessons regarding simple words to teach the class. The class was engaged and interactive, and we were able to make use of technological resources such as the SMART board to make the lesson fun. At the end of the sessions, a fieldwork report and presentation was delivered to our dental hygiene class.
Community Fieldwork Oral Presentation Community Fieldwork Service Report Lesson 3_ Step by Step Dialogues Community Assessment Survey
- Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia. Available from: https://issbc.org/
Communication: Weekly Patchwork Journal
Throughout second year, I have learned and grown a lot in my developing dental hygiene practice. I learned to value clinic time as this is what will expand my knowledge in different or unusual cases. Making the proper referrals, both for oral medicine and to the dentistry program will help alleviate my client’s chief concern. I also learned the importance of all protocols as this is critical in shaping the client’s understanding of my practice and will aid in building rapport with my clients. As well, it is my duty as a oral health professional to follow all protocols as detailed by the College of Dental Hygienists British Columbia (CDHBC). Upholding the highest level of professionalism is necessary to providing the best possible treatment.