Final Reflection

When I first began my journey towards becoming a dental hygienist, I initially thought of the practice as simply a service that helps people achieve brighter smiles. After only the first week of study, I realized that it was much more than that, with dental hygiene having a much larger scope of involvement and responsibility. I also remember the initial fear and anxiety I experienced when performing instrumentation on a real person. These feelings have mostly subsided, as I have gained significant confidence in my abilities as well as the wealth of knowledge gained through my studies. I have learned various practical skills, such as subgingival instrumentation, assessment of gingival and periodontal tissues, and radiographic exposure and interpretation. If I was asked about being able to perform these skills several years ago, or even several months ago, I doubt I would have believed it possible. Now, I am proud of the technical skills I have developed and eagerly anticipate adding more to my repertoire. Through my first five semesters, I have also gained significant knowledge on orofacial anatomy, the dental hygiene process of care, and the roles and scope of a dental hygienist. I believe that this program has also helped me mature as an individual, becoming a more structured and regimented person in both my professional and personal lives. Additionally, I am becoming more and more inclined towards helping others, whether in the field of dental hygiene, or simply as a friend, family member, or member of the community in which I live. I am looking forward to continuing my journey towards becoming a dental health professional and I am excited about facing new challenges head on.