ODU Dental Hygiene Almuna, Jessica Suedbeck is here to give her prospective on why Dental Hygiene is a great field to work in.
When I tell people I’m a dental hygienist, it is inevitable that they ask or tell me one of the following questions and/or statements:
“Ewwwww, I hate the dentist.”
“Oh no! Have you been judging my teeth?” (covers his/her mouth)
“Oh, yea, I don’t floss.”
“How can you enjoy picking at people’s teeth and gums all day?”
Good news, I’m not a dentist, I’m a dental hygienist! Choosing the field of dental hygiene has been the best decision I have ever made! I love helping people keep their smiles beautiful while increasing their oral and overall systemic health.
I find this career very rewarding and I am very passionate about my patients and preventing oral disease. The highlight of my day is the interaction I get with patients. I love hearing about what is new in each patients’ lives and how they’re doing with their home oral hygiene habits.
My most memorable experience involved a patient I saw in school. She had poor oral health and had given up on her teeth and gums getting any better. I saw her every three months and it was amazing to see what a little oral hygiene education did for improving her health. No one ever took the time to explain to her the right way to brush her teeth or about any other oral hygiene aids. After one session with me, she was grateful for all that she learned and how much her oral health improved with her changed habits. I still keep in contact with that patient to this day because she believes I made such a huge impact on her life!
The ODU Dental Hygiene program and the dental hygiene profession opened my eyes to how I can change someone’s life, and improve oral and overall health. Though the program was rigorous and overwhelming at times, it was very worth it for the amazing career that I now have!
Interested in a career in Dental Hygiene?
Click here for more information about ODU’s Dental Hygiene program
Or, visit the Dental Hygiene Care Facility and let an ODU Dental Hygiene student help you with your oral health!
The Dental Hygiene program offers Information Sessions once a month. For session dates please visit the ODU Dental Hygiene website.