Dental Hygiene Oath
In my practice as a dental hygienist, I affirm my personal and professional commitment to improve the oral health of the public, to advance the art and science of dental hygiene, and to promote high standards of quality care. I pledge continually to improve my professional knowledge and skills, to render a full measure of service to each patient entrusted to my care, and to uphold the highest standards of professional competence and personal conduct in the interests of the dental hygiene profession and the public it serves.
Code Of Ethics
• to increase our professional and ethical consciousness and sense of ethical responsibility.
• to lead us to recognize ethical issues and choices and to guide us in making more informed ethical decisions.
• to establish a standard for professional judgment and conduct.
• to provide a statement of the ethical behavior the public can expect from us.
Cultural Ethics
The presentation explored cultural competence in dental hygiene through the context of Egypt, a country with a rich history but uneven access to modern dental care. Egypt’s dental system includes both public and private sectors, yet many patients prioritize pain relief and tooth extraction over preventive care, often influenced by cultural norms such as strong respect for authority and family involvement in treatment decisions. Ethical issues can arise when patients do not receive full information about their treatment options or when limited resources lead to extractions instead of restorative care. The presentation emphasized the importance of cultural awareness, equitable care, and communication that respects the patient’s background and beliefs. It also highlighted how technological advancements in dentistry are available in Egypt but are limited by high cost and varying awareness, reinforcing the need for culturally sensitive and ethical practice among dental professionals.
Reflection
External: During my external rotation at Dental Care of Hendersonville in Nashville, I had the opportunity to observe the clinical environment and patient interactions. Although I did not perform any hands-on procedures, I truly enjoyed watching the dental team work together and provide quality care to their patients. It was exciting to see how efficiently the office operated and how each team member played an important role in ensuring a positive patient experience. This observation motivated me and gave me a clearer understanding of what to expect in a professional dental setting.
Internal:The internal experience I valued most was ensuring that my classmates were supported and had everything they needed to provide quality patient care. I take pride in building a positive and collaborative environment where we can all learn and grow together as future dental hygienists. Offering help when a classmate needed assistance demonstrated the importance of teamwork, communication, and professionalism within the clinical setting. This experience reminded me that success in dental hygiene is not only about individual skill but also about supporting one another to achieve our shared goals as a team.
Community Service
According to (Coe et al., 2014) Service learning is a form of community based education that integrates meaningful community service with academic learning objectives. It emphasizes maintaining a balance between service and education, active engagement with community partners, and continuous reflection throughout the experience. This approach fosters a collaborative relationship in which dental instructors ensure that service experiences align with course goals and learning outcomes, while community partners guide activities to meet the needs of their organization. Through my own service learning experiences, I have seen how this collaboration enhances both academic understanding and professional growth. It allows students like me to apply classroom knowledge in real world settings while developing empathy, communication, and a deeper sense of social responsibility as a future dental hygienist.