What Does Dental Hygiene Mean To You?

To most patients, dental hygiene means flossing more or using a fluoride rinse at home, but to hygienists, it means a dedication to the needs of each patient. We asked our Facebook community what hygiene means to them and we received a multitude of heartfelt responses:

• “It means educating my patients, not only on oral health, but on the systemic link. Creating healthy mouths, healthy bodies, one patient at a time!” — Courtney Potter

• “I’m happy that I get to experience such beautiful moments with my patients. Dental hygiene has made a huge impact in my family’s life as well. Everyone is better because of it.” — Jesabel De La Garza

• “I love patient education the most. I always smile when the patient has that ‘aha’ moment when they realize the mouth is connected to their entire body.” — Sherry Morrissey

• “23 years of educating patients. I love informing them. I love when they are really moved by what I am thing them. I truly love when they let me know I was right about daily home care, because they took my advice a day their oral hygiene is improved.” — Tracey Mannino

• “It’s a small way I am able to change and better someone’s life; whether it be educating the patient on the oral cavity, demonstrating techniques specific to that patient’s needs, or giving the patient a thorough cleaning.” — Autumn Lyn Walden

• “The most rewarding for me in my career is to see the patients apply that knowledge by being proficient in their home care. We all see the results at the recall appointment and everyone is smiling!” — Jamie Turner-Snyder

• “Being a Hygienist is about being that cheerleader and educator for everyone whom you come in contact! It’s about showing compassion, and taking time to relate to your patient.” — Stacy Reynolds Geoghegan

• “Hygiene is a way to pass on a little piece of myself to every patient I see. It’s being able to not only educate and clean a mouth, but it’s all about making a connection with that person and helping them become and happiest and healthiest version of themself.” — Kris Conlan

• “Hygiene means celebrating the ability to care for people by sharing my knowledge so patients have healthier bodies through the oral systemic connection.” — Toni Owen Alaimo

• “It means self-worth. I can finally feel that what I do every day is important. That it helps people. Changes their thinking. Impacts people in a way that literally can save their life.” — Katie Chiarelli

• “Dental Hygiene to me means the professional dental hygienist and the patient work together as a team to create a dental hygiene routine that the patient can comfortably incorporate into their lifestyle of dental hygiene care at home & travel.” — Sonya Bass

The DentalPost family would like to thank each and every hygienist for their dedication to educating patients. Your contribution is invaluable to healthy smiles everywhere!