Welcome to my e-portfolio! My name is Veronica Chan and this is the story of why I decided to become a dental hygienist:
My father inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare. All my life he was a heavy smoker and was unfortunately diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In a household of family members with almost all of whom smoke, several health issues arose, and even with treatment, had no avail. Before my father passed in 2020, day in and day out we were at the hospital. As my father’s overall health was quickly declining, so was his oral health.
Growing up, I was only taken to the dentist when I had pain from cavities. It wasn’t because we couldn’t afford the dentist, it just was not a priority in my family. I never learned the importance of dental health until much later. Due to this, I commonly associated the dental office with pain and misery and would often put on a brave face only to cry during each visit. You may wonder why someone who seemingly has had the worst experiences would want to pursue a career in dental hygiene. I want to be able to rewrite these experiences for my patients so they don’t have the same associations as I once did. Your smile is more than just your teeth!
Dental hygiene provides a unique opportunity to positively impact the oral health of every single person that comes into the dental office. The main reason I chose dental hygiene revolves around patient care. The way I can build relationships and rapport with each patient is something I cherish. It is extremely rewarding to see improvements in my patient’s oral health from the education and care I provide them. The constant learning and growing within the dental hygiene field continues to intrigue me.
Thank you for taking the time to navigate through my journey in becoming a dental hygienist!
