Internship

Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Dental Department

February 2019 – May 2019 (total 60 hours)

My second internship in a hospital facility brought me another new and exciting experience. In the Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Dental Department I worked mostly with children. I learned that patient management is even more important when treating pediatric patients. My duties included assisting dentists with dental charting, restorative and surgical work, taking x-rays, polishing and hand scaling, if needed, fluoride varnish application. I also provided oral home care instructions for patients and their parents.

Working with pediatric patients can be very challenging, but as well as very emotionally rewarding. Desensitizing techniques “tell-show-do” allowed completing treatment successfully on the majority of my little patients.

 

 

Kings County Hospital Center. Department of Dental and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

June 2018-August 2018 (total 280 hours)

Overall during my dental hygiene internship in the Kings County Hospital Center at the Department of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery I worked with almost 200 patients with variety of health conditions: diabetes, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, autistic spectrum disorders, respiratory disorders etc. Most of them had different stages of periodontal disease and needed frequent regular dental cleaning appointments. This internship was a part of my scholarship program with JFEW, and I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to work in a real healthcare facility during my college dental hygiene program. Working as a full-time dental hygienist at the hospital facility exposed me to valuable knowledge and professional experience.

My duties included review of medical history and oral homecare, OHI, brief oral cancer screening and dental cleaning. In a hectic environment such as a hospital dental clinic, I learned how to work quickly and efficiently. Many happy patients who wanted to see me again for their next appointment strengthened my confidence in the choice of my future profession.