What makes you love dental hygiene?
My story is one of perseverance, love of dentistry and dedication to the field.
As a 21 year RDH, making a difference and bringing value has always been my driving force. Throughout my career, I never really ever stated “I want to be successful.” I really never felt that in my soul. I just wanted to be of value.” Success is not measured by the number of patients you see a day, it’s measured by the value you bring.” No matter how many patients I would see, whether my column was booked, or how many products I would sell that quarter, success for me, is measured by value. In my journey as RDH of 21 years in clinical practice, being successful wasn’t my driving force. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to make every person that stepped foot into my operatory feel loved, seen and valued. Value and relationships is really the key in Dentistry and in life.
In my operatory, you become an extension of my family, I recognized your value and you will know that you are seen, heard and understood. Value is the single most important key factor that the patient sees when they meet you. Value and value add are two entirely different things as well. Value is what a potential patient feels when considering you as their clinician. Value add is what the patient see when they consider collaborating and following through with treatment options to achieve a healthy smile with you and the team. This is adding something extra, something above the norm. I have always loved hygiene and I think the passion for my profession is seen far outside my operatory. It’s been said that success is external and value is internal. Again…feel this to my core. No matter what you display outwardly, it’s truly how you make someone feel the minute they walk into your operatory that measures your success. One of the single most important things you can strive for is to be a value, not merely a success.
Upon my exit from clinical practice, I wanted to stay in my wheel house of dentistry and not be too far removed from what I love. Now, you can find me in my current role of Intra Oral Sales Specialist for Air Techiniques in Melville, NY. I specialize on the digital imaging team and in this role, in my territory of Southern California, I am able to interact with dental offices, dental hygiene schools, assistants, dentist, hygienist and dealer reps in making sure the practices are equipped with the best technology and ability to treat patients at the highest standard of care. With my strong educational background of Bachelors in Dental Hygiene and Masters Integrated Marketing, and more importantly, my real world experience in the industry, my reach continues on far outside the operatory.
So you ask, what I love about hygiene?
Everything!!! That it is rewarding..that I can bring value…and that it’s ever evolving and encompassing. Even when the time comes for you to choose to go outside the op on your next adventure. For me, this was a new start to the second half of my life loving on patients, by way of being an asset to doctors and team, by educating and training on products, making a difference in a whole new way, yet still using my background to bring the most important part…value.