Sometimes my work brings tears to my eyes when I learn that I might be the only visitor that day aside from the CNAs taking care of my patient. This has happened multiple times in my career, as I get to go and treat patients while they lie in their bed. Imagine the loneliness of lying in bed all the time, no one to really talk and connect with. I don’t think anyone would wish that upon anyone else. So, when I go to the Lebanon Veteran’s home, which is a long-term care facility, I get to be the light in someone’s day more often than not. This has been the case in other facilities where I have treated people, but more recently at the Veteran’s home. And after more than 42 years working in this profession, I can say that I still love going to work each day so that I can make a difference in someone’s life.
Recently I was at the Veteran’s home going room to room to see my patients, some with dementia, some just not ambulatory. A new patient was so excited to see us, my assistant Emma and me, because not only were we going to help his mouth feel better, but for him it was a social visit. He said that few people come to visit with him. How sad is that? He said how grateful he was to have us there. This made both of us, Emma, and I, tear up. I finished my scaling and “chatting,” and he said thank you. How many of our dental hygiene patients thank us? I know I need to do better and visit him and the others when I am not just delivering care, but on a regular basis to lift their spirits and help them feel important. This is a new goal of mine.
One of the things I love about going to the Veteran’s home, not just taking care of those who serve our country, but I get to spend as much time as I like with them. Yes, I have a schedule, but we can tweak it if we need to. Emma and I ask what kind of music they like, and we find that and play it on the computer or the phone. We do whatever we can to connect with them and make them feel as comfortable as possible.
Many of my patients at the Veteran’s home have not had dental care in a long time, so having empathy for them and being non-judgmental is huge in building relationships and trust so that they continue to have care when I am there. Many have not had dental insurance or means to pay for dental care, making things even worse. Many were on the frontlines of war for months and even years with no medical or dental care so when they did come home, a lot of extractions and other treatments were warranted.
Emma and I are so grateful to be the light in the day of a veteran or their family member, helping to increase the quality of their life as well as decrease poor health outcomes.
