I am a reader. A paper-loving, page-flipping, note-taking reader. Looking at the books on my bookshelves you could open many of them and find numerous notes written on the pages, on the covers (both front and back), with sticky notes carrying additional thoughts inspired through my reading. Someday, these notes will all be found in the book I write. Until then I will continue to buy new books and make notes.
On a recent trip, I was going through O’Hare Airport and made my traditional stop at Barbara’s Bookstore. Often I just peruse the titles of new books, but on this specific trip a title hit me right between the eyes. Good Power by Ginni Rometty, the former chairman and CEO at IBM. Now, the title wasn’t as inspiring as the subtitle, Leading Positive Change in Our Lives, Work, and World. For days I shared the picture of the cover with many colleagues while attending the Collaboration Cures conference hosted by AAOSH. Halls and classrooms were filled with individuals who were living the actual message on the cover of this book and leading positive change.
I took this message one step further and thought about my personal life, the dental hygiene community, and what we are currently challenged with. We are filled with good power, good knowledge, and the opportunity to lead positive change in our work by truly caring for and applying our skills to our patients’ lives. Due to neck issues, I no longer work clinically, but I’ve found that I can still influence positive changes with family, friends, and strangers in the oral health aisles of stores. Your ability to be a Good Power dental hygienist may come into play daily when providing patient care, or it may expand outside of the clinical setting into the lives of those around you. Our influence is no longer based on scraping teeth, but on embracing the opportunity to be qualified health-care providers who can save someone’s life.
This month, RDH provides you with information on what the patient’s tongue may be trying to tell us. Melissa VanWitzenburg teaches us how to manage trigeminal neuralgia in the dental office. Plus, we take a close look at promoting the health and wellness of dental professionals throughout their careers. The knowledge shared in this month’s issue will bring you new insights and power to influence your patients’ overall health as well as your own. Good information to bring positive change.
The content in this issue will empower you with the knowledge to support the Good Power in your personal life and in your operatory. You have the power, and it is good. Embrace your goodness!
This has been a year of positive changes, a few challenges, and encouraging forward momentum. The team at RDH magazine thank you for your input, support, and participation. Wishing you the happiest of holiday seasons.
Editor's note: This article appeared in the November/December 2023 print edition of RDH magazine. Dental hygienists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.
Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH, has over four decades of continual career development and experience in dentistry. As the chief editor of RDH magazine, she strives to remain a proactive personality in the continual advancement of the profession. She has been defined as a motivated trendsetter and dependable colleague and is inspired by her true passion of helping others to achieve their personal goals.
