I have spent today immersed in the dental field. It's the annual IDA (Indiana Dental Association) conference. I spent 6 hours in continuing education classes, enjoyed lunch in between the classes with my husband, and went to the exhibit hall to see what's new in the field, talk to various reps, and to pick up some free samples. It was a long day but I really do enjoy my profession - though I don't spend much time in it anymore. And I enjoy the dental professional world where everyone understands the same lingo - although I find it amusing that we sit in classes for hours talking about teeth.
Anyway, if you have any questions about periodontal disease, feel free to ask. :) It's all very fresh in my mind! And if you smoke, please, please stop. It's not only bad for your health but it's also horrible for your teeth and gums - not that this is new news. :)
Tomorrow will be another 3 hours of continuing education (this time hands-on versus lecture) and then a staff appreciation lunch. I'm exhausted but I know it will be good. I feel that it is so important for me to keep up with the profession to give my patients the best care possible. I'm truly thankful that God called me in to dentistry!
Showing posts with label Dentistry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dentistry. Show all posts
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Friday, November 09, 2007
Fun Day
I don't know if I've mentioned lately that I work for an awesome dentist downtown! I've been with her for about 4 years and I am totally spoiled!
Yesterday, she took the entire office to the spa and lunch for our annual "fun day." Everyone chose a spa service at The Villa. I quickly decided on the 75 minute hot stone massage with this description, "Experience a luxurious and relaxing massage combined with deep heat therapy. Smooth and polished basalt lava stones are heated and incorporated into the massage. The perfect treatment to loosen tight muscles, relieve stress and ease tension." As I previously noted, it was bliss! My masseuse was Cynthia and she did an awesome job - it was incredibly relaxing!
After our morning at the spa, we headed to one of my favorite downtown restaurants, Scholar's Inn. We enjoyed a couple of hours of talking, laughing, and eating. It is such a pleasure to work with wonderful people. Everyone came away from our day refreshed and with renewed gratitude for our boss, who takes excellent care of us and shows us through her words and actions how much our work is appreciated.
Have I mentioned that I currently only work 5 hours a week?
Yesterday, she took the entire office to the spa and lunch for our annual "fun day." Everyone chose a spa service at The Villa. I quickly decided on the 75 minute hot stone massage with this description, "Experience a luxurious and relaxing massage combined with deep heat therapy. Smooth and polished basalt lava stones are heated and incorporated into the massage. The perfect treatment to loosen tight muscles, relieve stress and ease tension." As I previously noted, it was bliss! My masseuse was Cynthia and she did an awesome job - it was incredibly relaxing!
After our morning at the spa, we headed to one of my favorite downtown restaurants, Scholar's Inn. We enjoyed a couple of hours of talking, laughing, and eating. It is such a pleasure to work with wonderful people. Everyone came away from our day refreshed and with renewed gratitude for our boss, who takes excellent care of us and shows us through her words and actions how much our work is appreciated.
Have I mentioned that I currently only work 5 hours a week?
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Bliss!
I don't have much time but I have 3 words - HOT STONE MASSAGE. It was 75 minutes of pure bliss. If you haven't had one, you should. All your troubles will melt away. :)
Friday, October 26, 2007
Part-time Working SAHM :)
I sometimes ponder being a part-time working mom. I know God has called me first and foremost to be a wife and mom but Andrew and I also believe that He has called me to be a dental hygienist. [As an aside, people have many different views of how this all plays out and I am not here to say there is any one right way or to spark any heated discussions. This is simply my personal reflection.] :)
A friend of mine has been a huge encouragement to me in challenging me to live a balanced life fulfilling all that God desires of me. I know that I don’t always get it right but I feel blessed to have the opportunity and flexibility (hygiene is great for this!) to work some (about 30 hours/month) and still enjoy being mostly a SAHM. It seems like the best of both worlds – sometimes I wish for more of one or the other but overall it works.
In truth, I appreciate the fresh perspective on my awesome sons. I miss them and it seems that all the challenges of the week melt away when I see them after only a few hours at work. They are sweet and adorable and we are all so happy to see each other!
I’m so thankful for my loving husband who supports and encourages me in the “outside” work that is a part of my life and our lives. I'm also grateful for his commitment and desire for me to mostly be at home - I know not everyone is able to do that! I’m thankful for the childcare my family provides which gives me the peace of mind to enjoy my work and to meet the needs of my patients. And I’m thankful for the employment that helped make it possible for our two sons to become a part of our family and that continues to help provide if/where needed.
When I think about the different roles God has called me to, I am reminded that He has called me to do them all for His glory! I pray that I will continually be strengthened and challenged in each responsibility. We truly serve an amazing God who has granted each of us different gifts & talents as well as unique roles & families. But He universally calls us to glorify and enjoy Him forever within every aspect of our lives. May that truly be the desire of our hearts.
A friend of mine has been a huge encouragement to me in challenging me to live a balanced life fulfilling all that God desires of me. I know that I don’t always get it right but I feel blessed to have the opportunity and flexibility (hygiene is great for this!) to work some (about 30 hours/month) and still enjoy being mostly a SAHM. It seems like the best of both worlds – sometimes I wish for more of one or the other but overall it works.
In truth, I appreciate the fresh perspective on my awesome sons. I miss them and it seems that all the challenges of the week melt away when I see them after only a few hours at work. They are sweet and adorable and we are all so happy to see each other!
I’m so thankful for my loving husband who supports and encourages me in the “outside” work that is a part of my life and our lives. I'm also grateful for his commitment and desire for me to mostly be at home - I know not everyone is able to do that! I’m thankful for the childcare my family provides which gives me the peace of mind to enjoy my work and to meet the needs of my patients. And I’m thankful for the employment that helped make it possible for our two sons to become a part of our family and that continues to help provide if/where needed.
When I think about the different roles God has called me to, I am reminded that He has called me to do them all for His glory! I pray that I will continually be strengthened and challenged in each responsibility. We truly serve an amazing God who has granted each of us different gifts & talents as well as unique roles & families. But He universally calls us to glorify and enjoy Him forever within every aspect of our lives. May that truly be the desire of our hearts.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Learning New Things
I had the privilege of being a guest speaker to a group of kindergartners this week. The topic was teeth and I really enjoyed putting together some information, activity books, and dental “goodies” for the kids. The class was almost entirely boys except for one lone girl – poor thing. What I didn’t count on was the things I would learn from them. Here are a few examples:
In response to my questions:
What do we use our teeth for?
B1: Well, birds have beaks that they use to pull strings and then make a nest. They have beaks like this (hand demonstration of beak). (This was actually a MUCH longer explanation – I just can’t remember it all :)
Me: (trying desperately to salvage something from this answer) So, it’s kind of like how we chew our food.
B1: They use their beaks to get string.
Me: Okay.
What do you think teeth are made of?
B2: Metal.
What are some healthy snacks?
B3: Cookies.
What did we say teeth are made of?
B2: Metal.
Oh well…I tried.
And a few general educational statements & questions:
B3: (putting his hand on his forehead after I explained that enamel is the strongest material in the body) This is the strongest bone. Does it have teeth?
B4: We have teeth in our noses.
B5: I have green mint and blue mint toothpaste.
B1: Can I sing you a song? (then proceeded to sing an entire song about how teddy bears are the best friends of all)
It was quite a class period – lots of fun and very funny.
In response to my questions:
What do we use our teeth for?
B1: Well, birds have beaks that they use to pull strings and then make a nest. They have beaks like this (hand demonstration of beak). (This was actually a MUCH longer explanation – I just can’t remember it all :)
Me: (trying desperately to salvage something from this answer) So, it’s kind of like how we chew our food.
B1: They use their beaks to get string.
Me: Okay.
What do you think teeth are made of?
B2: Metal.
What are some healthy snacks?
B3: Cookies.
What did we say teeth are made of?
B2: Metal.
Oh well…I tried.
And a few general educational statements & questions:
B3: (putting his hand on his forehead after I explained that enamel is the strongest material in the body) This is the strongest bone. Does it have teeth?
B4: We have teeth in our noses.
B5: I have green mint and blue mint toothpaste.
B1: Can I sing you a song? (then proceeded to sing an entire song about how teddy bears are the best friends of all)
It was quite a class period – lots of fun and very funny.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Hmmm....?
Well, our internet has been spotty, at best, lately. I have a couple of things to share from the past couple of weeks. Two things happened to me that have never happened before and I hope never happen again.
First, I was hit on……..by a woman. Some may dispute this and indeed I, too, have tried. Here are the events in no particular order: she looked into my eyes numerous times, giggled at everything, complimented my style of scrubs (effusively) – I mean, it’s scrubs, and when I asked her if she had any questions before the Dr. came in, she pointed to a picture and said, “Is that your dog?” It was implied and I think quite clear that I was asking about dental questions. Coincidence? Perhaps, but there is no denying that I never want to see that patient again. She made me very uncomfortable. Giggle, giggle. :)
Second and perhaps most disturbing and yet strangely touching, a patient came in and told me that she needed to tell me something. I said okay and then was surprised by the following conversation. The interchange went something like this:
Pt: I’m sorry if I was a little strange the last time I was here.
Me: That’s okay. (wracking my brain…I didn’t remember anything unusual)
Pt: You see, I thought you died.
Me: (Speechless)
Pt: My co-worker came back to the office after her appointment and said that the girl who cleans teeth had died and I cried for 3 days. I thought it was you but I can’t ever remember your name.
Me: (still a little speechless) Oh! I’m fine; do you mean JulieAnn?
Pt: Is that the other girl?
Me: She worked here a few years ago and was killed by a drunk driver…it was very sad. I went to school with her.
Pt: Did I see her? Did you work with her?
Me: I don’t think you’ve seen her and I actually took her place.
Pt: Well, I thought it was you and I was so upset and thought I should call or come in. That’s why I didn’t come in for awhile. Last time I came, I was so surprised when you came out to get me because I thought you had died. That’s why I was quiet.
Me: (at a complete loss for words and completely not believing I just had this conversation) Well, thank you for caring!
Pt: I’m glad you are okay!
How strange. It really makes you think.
First, I was hit on……..by a woman. Some may dispute this and indeed I, too, have tried. Here are the events in no particular order: she looked into my eyes numerous times, giggled at everything, complimented my style of scrubs (effusively) – I mean, it’s scrubs, and when I asked her if she had any questions before the Dr. came in, she pointed to a picture and said, “Is that your dog?” It was implied and I think quite clear that I was asking about dental questions. Coincidence? Perhaps, but there is no denying that I never want to see that patient again. She made me very uncomfortable. Giggle, giggle. :)
Second and perhaps most disturbing and yet strangely touching, a patient came in and told me that she needed to tell me something. I said okay and then was surprised by the following conversation. The interchange went something like this:
Pt: I’m sorry if I was a little strange the last time I was here.
Me: That’s okay. (wracking my brain…I didn’t remember anything unusual)
Pt: You see, I thought you died.
Me: (Speechless)
Pt: My co-worker came back to the office after her appointment and said that the girl who cleans teeth had died and I cried for 3 days. I thought it was you but I can’t ever remember your name.
Me: (still a little speechless) Oh! I’m fine; do you mean JulieAnn?
Pt: Is that the other girl?
Me: She worked here a few years ago and was killed by a drunk driver…it was very sad. I went to school with her.
Pt: Did I see her? Did you work with her?
Me: I don’t think you’ve seen her and I actually took her place.
Pt: Well, I thought it was you and I was so upset and thought I should call or come in. That’s why I didn’t come in for awhile. Last time I came, I was so surprised when you came out to get me because I thought you had died. That’s why I was quiet.
Me: (at a complete loss for words and completely not believing I just had this conversation) Well, thank you for caring!
Pt: I’m glad you are okay!
How strange. It really makes you think.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
How Often Do You Go to the Dentist?
Alaina and I were talking the other day about how often different people go to the dentist. So we're taking a poll (and as far as I know, no one can tell how you voted, so be honest!)
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