Karen

1.How long have you been a RDH? Where did you get your degree?

I have been a dental hygienist for 32 years. I graduated from Fones School of Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport in 1989.
I returned to school in 2007 to become certified in local anesthesia administration at the University of New Haven.

2.What do you like best about your profession?

I am happy to say that after 30+ years I still love my profession. It is very rewarding to educate patients about proper care of their teeth and oral cavity. We are the key to oral disease prevention. When treating oral disease we and our patients become teammates. A proper regimen of dental cleanings at regular recall intervals—along with a homecare plan that fits the patients needs can bring a diseased oral cavity back to a healthy one–and that is very rewarding for both myself and my patient. The relationships, friendships and trust that are created over years of treating a patients are invaluable.

3.What do you find most challenging about your profession?

Keeping pace with the ever changing technology and procedures in dentistry can be challenging. Our license requires us to take continuing education classes to stay up to date with current procedures and technology.