What makes me love hygiene?
The brief answer to this is “people's connection.” I cherish the conversations and the opportunity to get to know each of my patients. Throughout my 30-plus years of practice, I've honed this skill, and it serves as my motivation to come to work each day. I connect with all my patients because I understand that everyone has a unique story, and I truly love hearing those stories.
What inspires me?
As a dental hygienist, my inspiration comes from a combination of personal fulfillment and the impact I make on others’ lives. Here are some of the sources of my inspirations:
1. Improving Lives Through Education: Empowering patients with knowledge about oral health can inspire lasting change in their well-being and confidence.
2. Promoting Health and Prevention: Preventing disease and seeing tangible improvements in patients’ oral and overall health can be incredibly rewarding.
3. Building Trust and Relationships: Developing meaningful connections with patients over time often creates a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
4. Transforming Smiles and Confidence: Watching a patient’s confidence grow after improving their smile can be a powerful motivator.
5. Continuous Learning: The ever-evolving field of dental hygiene offers opportunities for growth, keeping your skills sharp and passion alive.
6. Being a Source of Comfort: Helping nervous or fearful patients feel at ease during their visit makes you a calming and essential presence.
7. Teamwork in a Caring Environment: Collaborating with a team of professionals who share a goal of improving patient care can create a sense of belonging and community.
Share a memorable patient interaction:
When I first relocated to San Diego, I joined an office where the same hygienist had been in place for many years. Most of his patients were reluctant to see me, which made it quite a challenge to encourage them to give me a chance. One particular instance stands out: a patient nearly walked out upon realizing I wasn't his previous hygienist. It took some persuasion on my part to convince him to stay in my chair. During the cleaning, he made several unkind comments, claiming that I was hurting him and was overly sensitive. He was a smoker with significant staining on his teeth. I requested assistance from a colleague and did my utmost to clean his teeth thoroughly. We honestly didn't expect him to return for his follow-up appointment. However, three months later, I found him at my new location, about half an hour north of my previous office. He apologized for his previous behavior and said the cleaning he got by me was the best cleaning he had ever received! He continues to be my patient to this day! Share what keeps me inspired and excited in my career: My inspiration has shifted dramatically over the past nine and a half months since the tragic murder of my 28 year old son, Dr. Benjamin Harouni, by one of his patients at his office in El Cajon, CA. As you can imagine, losing a child—especially one who was intelligent, kind, and loving—can make the will to live feel nearly extinguished. During my current grief process, I knew there must be a purpose in life to carry on.
Just days before Benjamin’s untimely death, he shared his new venture, LUVLINE FLOSS, with me. He was working on a customized floss made from a soft yarn that was enhanced with treatments like Xylitol, and vitamin E oil to aid with gum health, sensitivity, and decay prevention. Sadly, he was not able to see his vision come to fruition. My husband, who is also a dentist, and I have taken on the task of developing his idea. This endeavor has given me renewed purpose, allowing me to continue his mission and realize his dream. Additionally, we aim to introduce high-quality floss to the market that not only encourages people to floss but also supports our nonprofit organization, Hearts Over Hate, which was established in my son’s honor