Oral Cancer Experience

Eva Grayzel, an oral cancer survivor shared her experiences with oral cancer and how it took her two years to find out that she had oral cancer, after all the experts missed her signs and symptoms. This helps me realize the important of being up-to-date with current dental researches and trends so I can better communicate and help guide my patients to a better oral health. My experience at the WDHA symposium has given me a better knowledge of what the WDHA is and why it is important to be a member and support their cause. I attended two different classes at the symposium; the class in the morning was about “Oral Care for Life” which talks about the different strategies of oral care and the types of dental struggles that different ages experience.

The two classes had introduced me to a lot of new information on how to better educate my patients on caring for their oral health. “Oral care for life” presented by Kari Kuempel, had many concepts, but the three concepts that I found significant are early childhood caries, fluoride application and motivation interviewing. According to the Ms. Kuempel the CDC categorized early childhood caries as the most infectious disease in children. Early childhood caries have many consequences such as loss of school days, hospitalizations and ER visits. However, what stands out to me was children with early childhood caries are also at risk of delayed physical growth and development, and diminished ability to learn. Most parents do not see the importance in getting treatment for primary teeth since it’s will be replaced with permanent teeth

I learn that it is important for a clinician to be up-to-date with current trends and researches so I can be confident in answering my patient’s questions and provided quality care. The first class taught me the significance of early childhood caries, fluoride application to prevent caries as well as the importance of using motivation interview. The second class helps me understand the different forms of tobacco use and how to better educate my patient in tobacco use and the causes and effects not only to their self but also family members. During the symposium I was able to visit different vendors and learn about new dental products such as Sensodyne coming out with a new type of toothpaste that can help prevent gingival bleeding. Although a lot of information in the classes I took was new information, I feel like I had a better understanding the topics because I had learned about these topics in school. I also had a chance to stop by the different temp agencies and was very pleased to know that dental hygienists are in needs. I had a really great time at the WDHA Symposium and I am looking forward to attending the next