I think the one thing I would focus on as a clinical instructor is my attitude. I know just from being in clinic how much an instructor’s attitude can make or break my appointment.  A positive attitude allows for the best learning environment. As a student, I am more likely to want critique from an instructor I think is happy compared to one that is rude. If I have a positive attitude as an instructor, it encourages better interaction between myself and the student and myself in the patient. It just builds a strong relationship for the day between all involved.

I would definitely take the time to work with a student in clinic when I notice they have been struggling at something in particular. I had this experience and my instructor stood over my shoulder and gave me pointers and tips, which eventually led to me being a better hygienist. It is important to take advantage of these teaching times in the clinical setting.

Positive feedback is something else I would do to make the clinic a good educational setting. It is never fun to hear negative comments about yourself, but it is a little easier if they are surrounded with positives. Having a discussion with students is important so they know what went wrong, and I would give them ways to prevent it from happening in the future.

So let’s say that you have been offered a position as a clinical instructor at a dental hygiene program. You are really excited for this new opportunity. What are the two things that you are most concerned about? Why are you concerned about these issues. What more would you want to know before starting a position as a clinical instructor? Hopefully some of you will find yourself in this situation soon, and you never know when you’ll have to look back at all the things you have learned in your career.

The first thing I would be concerned about and want to know more before accepting the position would be the opportunity for advancement. If this was a part-time position, I would want to know if this could develop into full-time, or if it was full-time clinical, if there was the possibility of a didactic position as well. This issue is important to me because I want to be full-time and work with students both in the classroom and in clinic. I would want to teach a course that I could then work with my students during clinic to apply what I taught. As we discovered earlier in the course, I am a visual learner and I think  that would be the best way I could teach. I would be best at showing students things in the mouth through demonstration. I would not mind starting part-time and working in private practice, but eventually I would want re-evaluated for a full-time with didactic position.

Another thing I would be concerned about would be respect from the students. Even with a couple years of clinical experience, I would still be young and quite close to the students in age and experience. I have been in this situation as a student, and it was difficult. I would be concerned that I would be too harsh and critical trying to make the point that I am faculty and I need respect. I want students to be able to come to me with questions, but at the same time respect me as faculty and not a ‘friend’.

Something else I would like to know is how a typical clinical day runs. Do they have a meeting before it starts? After? When do students check in? I would need some time to observe in the clinic and get used to how things run. Ideally I will be back at OSU eventually, and I would know the basics. However, things change and I would need updated.

Like chapter 10 of HCT says, it is important for all faculty to know the policies and procedures, and inforce them. I would be sure to familiarize myself with them and comply with all rules set forth in the program.

When most people think of diversity, they think of different races or ethnicities. Gender, age, socioeconomic status, etc. are often forgotten. I guess diversity to me means difference. Not inequality, but different from average. Just like in my hygiene class, the 3 males are not unequal, just different from the rest of the class.

I think dental hygiene lacks diversity because of sterotypes. This is sterotypically a women’s profession, because men are supposed to be the doctors and dentists, and women in a lower position. Same with nursing as a women’s profession. However, this is changing. There is no reason for either of these to be considered a women’s profession. A career in dental hygiene is enough to support yourself finacially and be comfortable. It is nothing to be looked down upon, but more looked up to.

To increase diversity in dental hygiene, we have to marked diversity. Whenever you see an ad for either a dental hygiene program or a dental product, it is most often a young, Caucasian female with bright white teeth. Why not a different race? Why not a male? THERE IS NO REASON. We just have to market this better.

Icreasing diversity is important. As chapter 8 of the handbook points out, our patients are becoming increasingly diverse, so we hould too. It will help us as a profession better understand our patients, their needs, and their expectations.