With 2016 underway and reflection and resolutions on many minds I wanted to take some time to review some areas that we as independent dental hygienists may want to examine.   “Independent” is not a new moniker for me and certainly many people with independent personality traits may be naturally drawn to independent hygiene practice.  Independence is commonly found in personalities alongside other strong character traits.  Yes, these traits have served me well in many situations but the flip side of that is that sometimes these same characteristics bring on the “lone ranger” phenomenon that can leave me deflated all too easily.  Why is that?  Perhaps my type A take charge attitude has turned away the people around me, the ones I ultimately need the most.

In this bold new challenge I have taken on, I have to constantly be aware of a key balance.  Yes I am passionate about meeting the needs of patients who are under served and forwarding the profession of dental hygiene but my first calling is to meet the needs of my greatest support group – my family.

I need to be aware that the circle of friends and relatives in my life that I value and can lean on know that I am a dependable support to them as well.  The same fiery traits that make a person good at taking on new challenges may alienate the people closest to us.  Where I see “determination”, others may see “stubbornness”.  Where I think I am being “dedicated” others may see “selfishness”.  I know I have fallen short on too many occasions and although I don’t want to sound like so many of our patients who think that our dental chair is the confessional that will make the admission that “I haven’t been flossing” all OK, I want to own this admission and take hold of improving this integral and important part of my total health as a person.

So in this quest I couldn’t help but think like the dental health practitioner that I am.  As hygienists we have the framework at our fingertips that we use all the time in the dental hygiene care plan that can so easily be applied to our personal life.  Join me over the next few weeks as I will tackle my life through ADPIE.  Assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation – these just may be the universal recipe or tool set for a truly happier hygienist 🙂