Working

Laura Foran, RDH

Laura Foran, RDH, practices dental hygiene in two positions in Connecticut: part-time in a suburban private practice, and part-time in an urban high school as part of a school-based health clinic.

New Britain High School has approximately 3,300 students, of various ethnic backgrounds. Her dental services target those who qualify for state insurance and who have difficulty getting dental treatment. In addition to providing oral hygiene instructions, dental prophylaxis, X-rays and group instructions, she also goes to classes throughout the year to speak to students about periodontal disease, tooth decay and the hazards of oral piercing and tobacco products. Although both facilities are similarly equipped, the difference she sees in patients is astounding.

"Many of the students I see have never been to a dentist...we have rampant decay, severe gingivitis and some mild to moderate periodontitis," said Foran. "In private practice, I see mostly six-month recall patients who have great hygiene and are very faithful with their oral hygiene routine."

However, she has found that treating students with a strong need for oral health care is extremely gratifying.

"The most rewarding thing is to have some of my most difficult dental prophylaxis cases come back with great oral hygiene and little to no bleeding," said Foran. "Some of the students who have a mouth full of decay come back having seen the dentist in between visits with most of their restorative completed. They are more confident about themselves and they ask more questions to help them keep their mouths healthy." Foran even has a young patient who is considering the profession after visiting with her.

There are certainly many rewarding aspects of her private practice as well.

"My private practice is like home for me...the office staff is like family. After 10 years at the same practice, the patients, too, become part of your life. The familiarity I have with the patients and staff keeps me motivated," she said.

Foran has found that in working both positions, one will directly influence the way she works at another.

"My work in the private practice has influenced my work at the high school by helping me gain confidence and security in my clinical assessment of my patients' oral health. I see all ages of patients in my private practice. I use some of them as examples for the students I see at the high school," said Foran, explaining, "Without using names of course, I tell the students about things that I have used that have helped certain problems that they may be experiencing. There may be different products that may not be available to me at the high school clinic that I usually recommend to the students to try."

In addition, she said, "Also, my work at the high school has helped me in private practice by helping me to understand my adolescent patients in the practice. I feel I have much better rapport with them; I know what triggers their attention and what helps motivate them with their oral hygiene."

For those looking into practicing in an urban high school environment, Foran had some recommendations. For one, she stressed that "kids are kids." In other words, the needs of adolescents in an urban setting are no different from those in a suburban setting; all adolescents need positive attention. She notes that she has never been threatened or seen a weapon on campus, and that they might surprise you with their insightful questions and their comments.

"I would advise anyone to treat the urban high school student with respect and understanding. Teach them the facts, but try to be compassionate. Oral hygiene may not be the top priority in their lives, but knowing that someone cares about their oral health and general health may make a difference in their daily life more than you may know."

This edition of Working was prepared by Meghan Washington