Week 1
May 12th
1.3 Analyze the data to determine the health of the priority population(s) and the factors that influence health.
- 1.3.2: Determine the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, skills, and behaviors that impact health literacy of the priority population(s).
Summary: I met the dental team and became familiar with the dental clinic. I focused on observing dental procedures and specific pediatric procedures. Dr. Monica gave a brief introduction into airway health and how correct airway health is necessary for breastfeeding, speech production, mental health, and sleep quality. Evaluating these clinical indicators allows me to better understand the physiological and biological needs of pediatric patients, enabling me to understand how dental procedures improve long-term childhood development and health outcomes.
May 13th
2.3 Determine health education and promotion interventions.
- 2.3.4: Adopt, adapt, and/or develop tailored intervention(s) for priority population(s) to achieve desired outcomes.
Summary: I observed preventative dental procedures such as sealants. I also helped make social media content about preventative dental procedures that Tiny Tooth Dentistry offers. The goal of this content was to promote SDF and sealants, which were topics Dr. Monica taught me about it at the end of the day. After learning about this, I am better able to create consumer-friendly social media posts designed to promote protective benefits to parents and guardians. After the clinic, I got home and read about these preventative dental procedures and how they enhance patients’ lives.
May 14th
3.2 Deliver health education and promotion interventions.
- 3.2.2: Deliver reliable health education tailored to priority population(s).
Summary: In the morning, Dr. Monica quizzed me on SDF and sealants, to make sure that I am learning about dentistry. Demonstrating that I understand clinical applications allows me to better effectively deliver dental education when communicating with patients and their families. Throughout the day, I observed and assisted dental procedures, and communicated with patients. It was rewarding to help the team with procedures, and make a supportive impact on patients during stressful procedures.
May 15th
7.1 Coordinate relationships with partners and stakeholders.
- 7.1.1: Intersect clinical and communication practices within an interprofessional healthcare team.
Summary: I got to observe operative procedures on Friday. This day was incredibly impactful because I have never seen a laser frenectomy before, and got to learn about how this procedure enhances children’s quality of health. I continued to study about preventative dentistry throughout the day, to ensure that I can explain the purpose of different procedures to parents. My goal is to promote preventative care to parents and guardians, and make it easier to understand the benefits of preventative dentistry.
Week 1 Reflection (May 12th-15th)
When reflecting over my first week as an intern at Tiny Tooth Pediatric Dentistry, I am extremely pleased with my experience. I am grateful I have had the opportunity to learn about pediatric dentistry and specific procedures. I have learned that there is a psychology behind pediatric dentistry, as I play a role in the education and comfort of patients during their procedure. My job as an intern is to provide health promotion based care, and to learn about health promotion in dentistry. It has been rewarding to learn about SDF and sealants, create educational social media content, and be able to apply health promotion work directly to my site. I am excited to see what next week has in store, and to continue applying health promotion work to dentistry.
Week 2
May 18th
Competency 1.2: Access and Synthesize Existing Data
- 1.2.1: Identify secondary data sources and evidence informed sources related to health.
Summary: In the morning, I had the opportunity to observe a lip tie release and learn about the importance of a lie tie release for babies. After the operation, I talked to Dr. Monica, how I want to create airway health brochures for the waiting room and clinic rooms. After the last week observing and learning about airway health and its priority populations, I feel confident that I can create a brochure geared towards Tiny Tooth patients. Throughout the day, I helped the dental assistants set up procedures and studied the Tiny Tooth handbook so that I can learn how to educate parents and guardians about preventative procedures Tiny Tooth offers. At the end of the day Dr. Monica gave me several topics to go home and study, which included mineral trioxide aggregate and glass ionomer.
May 19th
Competency 6.3: Develop messages using communication theories and or models
- 6.3.3: Tailor messages for the audiences
Competency 6.4: Select methods and technologies used to deliver messages
- 6.4.3: Develop communication aids, materials, or tools using appropriate multimedia.
Summary: In the morning I was tested on the preventative procedures I had to learn the night before. This allows me to be a better intern by understanding the role and advantages of different pediatric procedures. Additionally, I was advised on how I can give patient-centered communication on early childhood dental interventions. Later in the day I drafted ideas for social media posts, catered to dental education. These ideas included airway health education and dental sealant education.
May 21st
Competency 2.4: Develop plans and materials for implementation and evaluations
- 2.4.2: Develop materials needed for implementation
Summary: I observed procedures and assisted the team with any needs. In the late morning, I had the opportunity to assist with a post-operative appointment for a lip tie release from the week prior. It was interesting to observe the five day healing process, as there was much greater mobility in their mouth. By witnessing the operative and post-operative procedures, I can better write the information for the airway brochures I am making. Later in the day, I reviewed my preventative dental procedures and practiced talking about the procedures as if I was educating and empowering a parent/guardian.
May 22nd
Competency 1.3: Analyze the data to determine the health of priority populations.
1.3.2: Determine the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, skills, and behaviors that impact the health and health literacy of the priority populations.
Summary: In the morning, I set up In the late morning, I observed a procedure with an SDF application. I found this incredibly interesting, as I was able to apply what I learned last week about SDF. In the early afternoon, I sat down with a new patient’s guardian and educated them about airway health, proper dental hygiene, and preventative dental procedures. I talked to them about how certain ages are more likely to receive preventative procedures such as sealants when their adult teeth come in.
Week 2 Reflection (May 19th-20th, 21st-22nd)
My biggest strength this week is that I felt greater confidence about my pediatric dental knowledge. It is important for me to be confident about my dental knowledge so I can educate and empower the patients at Tiny Tooth Dentistry. Additionally, I am glad that I have Dr. Monica’s approval for the airway health brochures, as I plan on creating them next week. I believe that the airway brochures will be a great way to display to patients common risk factors of airway health disorders, and whether their child may be a candidate for these airway disorders. One thing from this week that I want to continue working on is my confidence educating patients. I want to be able to confidently talk about preventative procedures and the benefits of these procedures. I will continue researching and learning about these topics so I can promote proper airway health techniques and dental care.
Week 3 (26th-27th)
May 26th
Competency 1.1: Plan Assessment
Sub competency 1.15: Recruit and/or engage priority populations, partners, and stakeholders to participate throughout all steps in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation processes.
Competency 1.3: Analyze the data to determine the health of priority populations.
1.3.2: Determine the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, skills, and behaviors that impact the health and health literacy of the priority populations.
Summary: On this day, we focused on hygiene procedures. I enjoyed being able to learn more about the specific steps of a hygiene appointment, and how each step helps with cavity prevention. Additionally, focusing on only hygiene appointments inspired me to use my knowledge and educate parents/guardians on the benefits of hygiene appointments. Being able to talk to parents/guardians is especially eye opening to barriers and fears of oral health care they have. By the end of the day, one fact I learned iodine and fluoride can both help prevent cavities alone, but when used together they are much more powerful at preventing cavities.
May 27th
Competency 1.3: Analyze the data to determine the health of priority populations.
1.3.1: Determine the health status of priority populations.
Summary: In the morning, I helped unpack boxes and organize dental materials. There were no patients in the office so I had more time to focus on what I have learned the last two weeks in my internship. One major focus I have thought about is the health status of priority populations. I have observed fluoride varnish applications, sealants, hygiene cleanings, and oral health education to improve oral health outcomes.
Week 3 Reflection
While this week was short, I learned a lot was able to focus what I have learned to how I can help patients and their parents/guardians. One strength of this week was that I have enough experience in my internship to understand the main barriers and fears of oral care for pediatric patients. These barriers and fears include economic barriers, time constraints, transportation barriers, and the fear of flouride that it may harm children. My weakness for this week is that I wish I had more time one-on-one with parents and guardians. These conversations allow me to better understand general understandings of oral care and how I can educate and empower them about oral health care.
Week 4
This week, I was out of town with family, which the Tiny Tooth team was aware of. This allowed me to work on the airway brochures and focus on the main needs of the patients. When I come back to clinic the following week, I will be able to apply my insights to airway patients. I will begin finalizing the brochures so they can be put in the waiting area and around the office.
Kate Brown 