Final Reflection

As I approach the end of my degree program, I feel a level of relief that my time as a student is drawing to a close and my excitement builds towards beginning my career as a dental hygienist. I look back to when I first started this program and how little I knew at the time about anything dental and compare this to my current knowledge and skillset. It has not been an easy journey, and the dental field is much more complex than I had initially anticipated. Despite this, I enjoy the challenge of pushing myself forward as a means to better help the communities we serve. Some aspects of the program have been relatively easy - such as the business practices, community health promotion, and policy classes - while others have difficult and required further focus and attention. These more challenging components include the science heavy nature of the program as well as the practical skills we've had to become proficient in. I also appreciate that we've been provided with a foundational understanding of different career paths such as orthodontics, health policy, and research. One component of this program that I have really enjoyed is the emphasis on community involvement. Helping those who need it most is one of the reasons I chose to pursue dental hygiene, and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to be able to experience underserved communities ranging from long-term care to a visiting choir from Uganda. It is my hope to eventually return to complete my BSc. so that I can help shape the future of dental hygiene whether it is through creating new policy to help those without access or teaching the next generation of dental hygiene students. As I continue my development as a dental hygiene professional, I know that I must continue to abide by the CDHO's standards of practice and strive to not only meet but exceed these standards. Even with how much I've developed and grown, I know that my education in the dental field is something that will be ongoing throughout my time as a dental professional.