An Interview With Two Rockstar Hygienists to Celebrate Dental Smiles Month June is Dental Smiles Month and this month we challenged two of our talented rockstar hygienists and asked them some questions we were curious about. This was an on-the-spot interview and they had virtually no time to prepare for this moment. You will be amazed at some of their answers: Who are you and what is your official job title? B My name is Ashleigh Atkins and I am a Registered Dental Hygienist ◆ My name is MaKenzie Kessler and I am a Registered Dental Hygienist What makes iHeart Dental special and different from any other dental office you’ve visited or worked at? How would you describe your workplace culture? B The iHeart dental team goes the extra mile to make sure our patients have an extraordinary visit. From remarkable customer service to a relaxing environment, our mission is making a true impact on your life and your health. ◆ iHeart Dental has a very positive and uplifting vibe and it makes going to work something to look forward to. We genuinely love what we do. We have a lot of fun together but most importantly we are all very passionate about giving our patients the best dental experience possible Since working at iHeart Dental and getting to know the patients in the community, What is your single best advice to give patients who are struggling with their oral hygiene? B When patients struggle with oral hygiene, we recommend that they set up a visit with us so that we can customize a treatment plan for their specific needs. One of the most important aspects of oral hygiene is regular check-ups with your dentist and hygienist. These check-ups and cleanings can help you maintain your oral health by removing built-up plaque and by catching any problems before they become more severe. ◆ My advice to someone struggling with their oral hygiene is to do the best you can with what you have. Wake up and do better than you did before. Brush more, floss more and #LOVETOSMILE.
What in your opinion is the “coolest” or “most unique” thing about working at iHeart Dental? B The coolest part about working at iHeart Dental is the staff camaraderie. We have an amazing staff that is hand picked by Dr Seale. When you have a strong team that’s works hard and shares the same passions for dental, it makes working so fun! The patients often comment about the good energy from our staff. ◆ The coolest thing about iHeart is having Apollo, our service dog. He makes the experience fun and very calming, especially for our patients that have dental anxiety. What type of specific care would you provide for a patient with extreme anxiety? B The type of care for someone with extreme dental anxiety is very customized to the individual and how they are feeling. It is important to make them feel comfortable. I show them the tools that I use and explain everything that I am doing to the patients teeth. I am sure to talk very calmly and crack a few jokes here and there to lighten up the mood. iHeart Dental is very unique because we have a lot of specialized tools to help manage dental anxiety. iHeart offers weighted blankets, pillows, noise canceling earphones, and aromatherapy to any patients that need them. We even have a service dog, Apollo, that specializes in anxiety. What is your inspiration and what makes you ‘heart’ iHeart Dental? ◆ My inspiration as a hygienist has always been my patients. At iHeart we see a lot of patients that have dental anxiety or just elevated needs. We offer many things to make sure our patients have the best dental experience EVER, whether that be snacks, drinks, pillows, blankets, earphones, sedation, nitrous—the list goes on. To witness someone leaving the office with a smile on their face when they arrive so anxious and nervous is what our job is all about. The expectations that Dr. Seale and Erich have for the team is what makes me “heart” iHeart Dental, they set an example of what it is like to truly serve others.
Ashleigh Atkins (912) 499-1133 | iheartdental.com | 135 Goshen Rd Ext #205 Rincon, GA
26 June/July 2022 | www.EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.com
MaKenzie Kessler
