MESSAGE FROM THE DENTAL HYGIENE ALUMNI CHAPTER This summer was like no other. Sometimes I wondered if I would completely melt underneath my PPE in the heat! But somehow, we survived. During the uncertainty of the pandemic, I have witnessed so many friends and coworkers stepping up to the plate and taking the new challenges head-on. We work in a high-risk environment with tight timelines, while putting our bodies through painful repetitive strain; but there is a reward! We understand the importance of oral health and its relationship to systemic health. We know that the education, knowledge and care we give to our patients will not only provide them with good oral health but also an improvement in their overall health. The mouth is a window into the human body, and dental hygienists are the primary caregivers. And every year, our profession grows — with more dental hygienists pursuing advancements in education and pushing boundaries. We work in new settings, learn new techniques and advocate for greater access to care. The Dental Hygiene Alumni Chapter (DHAC) is proud of our profession. As president, I look forward to meeting our new members over the coming year, even if it isn’t face to face. Rebecca Lee Class of 2012 President, DHAC
Virtual Coffee with Alumni Event Over the summer, the DHAC hosted a virtual event for the Dental Hygiene class of 2020, featuring speakers Alysha Bailey (CRDHA Practice Advisor), Breanne Moran (RDH, BScDH) and Alexandra Sheppard (BA, DipDH, MEd). Topics covered during the event included the CRDHA Return to Work Guidelines, the Occupational Health and Safety COVID-19 Protecting Yourself and Preparing Your Workplace Resource, a day-in-the-life of a new DH graduate, the CDHA 2019 Job Market and Employment Standards, and valuable tips for interviewing. New graduates came away from the presentation feeling better-prepared for their transition from post-secondary studies to clinical practice amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Top 10 things Dental Hygiene graduates learned from the Virtual Coffee with Alumni event: 1. Critical components of an OHS manual. 2. New PPE requirements in private practice. 3. How to apply a point-of-care risk assessment to clinical practice. 4. When, where and how to safely implement AGP’s in clinical practice. 5. Wage expectations and employment standards for Alberta Dental Hygienists. 6. What to ask during a job interview. 7. How to achieve a healthy, happy and balanced career as a dental hygienist. 8. How to find a dream office. 9. How to build a strong hygiene department. 10. Learning new technology and clinical skills in a busy practice setting. Keep an eye out for future DHAC events. We look forward to seeing you! Breanne Moran Class of 2017 Vice-Chair, DHAC Fall 2020 | 7
