Early in our careers, dental hygienists become accustomed to working with a community. As students, we form a community with our fellow classmates by learning together and supporting one another. We may also become involved with community projects that offer care in our university, homeless shelters, or long-term care facilities, bringing a heightened awareness to public health and the personal needs within our hometown communities.
The power of community
The RDH Community Connection program is a way to share stories from dental hygienists and their impact within the community, highlighting how easy it is for each of us to make a difference. Whether we are contacting elementary schools to provide home -care education, developing programs for preventive care, or participating in health fairs, each project underscores the importance of oral health and overall health.
The news broadcasts tragedies daily, so it is often heartwarming to hear about communities working together to spread positive change. When we embrace the opportunity to make a difference, we feel good about ourselves and the work we are doing.
How can you make a difference?
If you want to make an impact in your community, ask yourself some questions. Do you like children? Are you drawn to the elderly? Do you like socializing with your community? Do you have a fellow RDH who is already involved, and if so, would you want to join them?
If time is an issue, this doesn't have to be a frequent obligation or commitment; just doing something once a year can be powerful. What's more important is finding a project that fulfills a need in your neighborhood or town. It may be as easy as stopping at an elementary school and asking if the children have an oral health program or calling a long-term care facility to inquire about a dental program for their residents. If social media is your community, do your best to find an optimistic group rather than one that feeds on negativity and brings you down.
If you don’t know where to begin, many towns will have a resource seeking volunteers. Often, you may find a community that is not connected to dentistry but still making a positive impact within the community. The opportunities to volunteer are endless. Dental hygienists have a personal drive to take care of others and maybe venturing outside of the dental realm may be the balance you need to step away from feeling burnt out.
Patterson Dental has been the proud sponsor of the RDH Community Connection program since 2020. Each year they sponsor a reception at RDH Under One Roof to recognize the strength of community and the dental hygienists who make a difference for residents in their areas. In 2025, Patterson will partner with RDH Under One Roof on Thursday, July 17th, in Dallas, Texas.
When you reach into your community and find opportunities to make a positive impact, you become an asset-and you may find personal rewards along the way. If you have a story you want to share about your community, please contact me [email protected]
Editor's note: This article originally appeared in the November/December print edition of RDH Magazine.
