Linda Wilson, RDH CNA

Why I love dental hygiene-Linda Wilson RDH CNA My name is Linda Wilson. I have been a registered dental hygienist since I was 19 years old. I felt drawn to a career in dentistry and practiced full time for 35 years. While not every day was lovable, I have been committed to my patients and colleagues. I practiced in the same office for 29 of the 35 full time years so it was easy to be committed to my patients. I spent many years in leadership of our local, state and national dental hygienists’ association supporting and working to improve this profession that I love. The team of hygienists whom I worked with were as committed to our patients and providing the highest quality of dental hygiene services. We were sticklers for a thorough medical history update at EVERY visit and took blood pressure readings for all adults. I had half a dozen (if not more) patients who I screened for blood pressure who I suggested speak to their primary care practitioner. Many ended up having treatment for high blood pressure. A couple of patients were even sent to the hospital from the office. One reported back that the staff at the hospital were surprised that dental personnel sent them for medical care. I have received thank you notes from some of these people who were grateful that I helped them be healthier by leading them to control their hypertension. That made me feel inspired that I was doing right by my patients and also inspired me to strive to bring dental care and medical care together. I was also fulfilled when someone would act on my recommendations and showed up in my chair with a healthier oral condition than the visit before. One of the most memorable and surprising interaction was with a young male adult who shared enthusiastically how I inspired him to quit smoking. What a thrill! Even my adult children still floss everyday. I call that success! I relocated to a new state in 2017 when my husband retired. I planned to take a year to decide what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I just could’t let dental hygiene go. I have subbed at some dental offices as a dental hygienist, but right now my passion is with sharing the importance of oral care by care givers. I studied for and received my Wyoming nurse assisting certification, hoping to be able to positively affect oral care in long term care situations. I was asked to provide training to care staff at a long term care facility in Sundance, Wyoming which I happily did. I felt that talking for an hour would be a good start in training but having a hands on learning opportunity would be even better. I was connected with some dental manufacturers, by a valuable mentor. The manufacturers offered some products to support the pilot project. I applied for and was awarded a small grant by the Wyoming Nurses Association (WNA) to support the pilot training program. Both the lecture and hands on portion of the program was well received by the staff with positive feedback that they had never had this type of training. As a condition of the grant from WNA I presented the results of the pilot with attendees at their annual meeting in September. I am inspired that this is a small step toward bringing dentistry and medicine together. Additionally, I have presented a zoom workshop for Wyoming Dementia Together a branch of the Wyoming Center on Aging through the University of Wyoming and I have written an article for the Wyoming Dementia Now support group’s annual newsletter. I am excited that this program that I am calling Oral Care is Health Care is growing tiny legs. Every time I get a chance to share about the importance of oral care and ways for caregivers to help provide it, I feel like I am fulfilling my professional destiny.