Shiva Massachi, RDH

III. Patient Care

 

Program SLO #8: Systemically collect, analyze and record assessment data on the general, oral,  periodontal, and psychosocial health status of the child, adolescent, adult, geriatric and special populations using methods consistent with medicolegal principles.

 

September 17, 2014. St. Jane Frances De Chantal School.  One of the several elementary schools that my class went to during senior year. Children with permission slips also get 5% NaF Varnish applied to their teeth as seen in this picture.  All the children receive an intraoral exam and a list of recommendations for that specific child based on observations from the dental hygiene student.  Data collected on the number of possible carious lesions for that school are recorded and saved for future analysis.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program SLO #9: Integrate the principles of behavioral, dental, dental hygiene sciences to formulate, implement and evaluate a comprehensive dental hygiene treatment plan for the patient to attain and maintain optimal oral health based on accurate, consistent and complete assessment data and modify treatment as necessary.

 

June 5, 2015.  During our senior year of the program, our most extensive assignment was the Periodontal Project.  A report and presentation were completed based on a periodontally involved patient that I treated.  Treatment planning for the SRPs and other procedures was a major aspect of the project.

Intraoral Photos show the results of treatment. My patient and I were vry happy with the results!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program SLO #10: Provide and evaluate dental hygiene services, including preventive procedures and pain control, that are based on current scientific evidence for a variety of periodontal conditions in children, adolescents, adults, geriatrics and medically compromised patients from diverse populations.

 

February 24, 2014.  West Los Angeles College.  First day of administering anesthesia nerve block on our classmates.  Here, I am administering an MSA injection and using the patient's chin to fulcrum.  Very exciting day in clinic where we were able to utilize what we had learned in lecture on pain control and apply it to an actual patient so that he or she can be comfortable during a scaling and root planning procedure.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program SLO #11: Recognize and provide the appropriate care for the most common medical emergencies that occurs in the dental setting.

 

CPR Certification Card

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program SLO #12: Apply problem solving strategies and critical thinking to insure comprehensive oral health care for individuals, groups, and communities.

 

September 14, 2014.  LA Sports Arena. Care Harbor Event. Provides vision and dental care to fourteen thousand patients once a year. Scaling and root planning and prophylaxis is performed on patients. Population consisted of mostly Hispanic and African American patients.  Another section of the arena was used to give OHI to patients and to apply fluoride varnish as well as give out free dental supplies.  This was an amazing and challenging experience.  Patients presented with heavy cases of calculus and severe cases of periodontal disease due to poor home care and lack of access to dental services.  Link to Article on Care Harbor 2014.

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Final Thoughts...

 

Clearly a huge portion of my dental hygiene career so far has been about giving back to the community through dental screenings and oral hygiene education.  It is important to think of the “big picture” when it comes to community dental health because as professionals in the healthcare field it is our responsible to provide dental care for all.  Being exposed to so many different communities with less privileged populations allows me to see so many different dental conditions and it makes me feel good for helping to educate others.  Making healthcare accessible to these children who may not otherwise have access to caries screenings and fluoride treatments is rewarding and heartwarming. Sharing my knowledge with others is gratifying and fulfilling and it is a major aspects of my role as a dental hygienist. 

 

Planning these events is hard work and it takes leadership, teamwork, and persistence.  These communities need us and at the end of the day, educating these thousands of children early on has the potential to change lives and promote healthy habits for a lifetime and I’m honored to be a part of that.