Thirty more days have passed, and we are entering the 10th month of 2024. Welcome to the beautiful month of October. October is amazing because it captures the beauty of the fall season. October has crisp cool air, rainy days, the leaves change color and fall, and pumpkins are everywhere. In the words of L.M. Montgomery, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."
October is special to dental professionals, not only because of its natural beauty but because it is a time when we pay tribute to the dental hygiene profession.
The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) came up with the idea to promote oral hygiene within the profession and among the public with a monthlong celebration. In 1949, the ADHA appreciated how special dental hygiene and dental hygienists were, and they celebrated by setting aside an entire week to recognize dental hygiene.
The original goal was to increase the public's knowledge about oral hygiene over the course of a week. Before long, the ADHA recognized that one week was not enough time to encompass everything that makes dental hygiene and dental hygienists exceptional. In 2009, the ADHA and the William Wrigley Jr. Company proclaimed that the week for dental hygiene would be extended throughout the month of October.
Many have suggested how one can properly celebrate Dental Hygiene Month. The most obvious way to celebrate Dental Hygiene Month is to care for one's oral cavity by brushing daily, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash.
Other suggestions include visiting a dental hygienist and dentist for a routine checkup. Switching foods and beverages for healthier choices that benefit the teeth and the rest of the body has also been suggested to celebrate Dental Hygiene Month. Promoting good oral hygiene habits with your loved ones is another way to celebrate Dental Hygiene Month.
The goal of educating the public about oral healthcare is still a substantial objective of Dental Hygiene Month, thus throughout October, there are oral hygiene aid giveaways, community outreach programs, and educational campaigns. Some have even suggested throwing a dental-themed party to truly celebrate Dental Hygiene Month.
The ADHA also recognizes that dental hygiene would not be what it is today without the thousands of men and women who are licensed to practice dental hygiene. As a result, the ADHA also promotes self-care during October for dental hygienists. Continuing education courses, self-reflection courses, gifts, and prizes are all given away to dental hygienists during Dental Hygiene Month.
While continuing education and a present are nice to receive, I believe that dental hygienists need something else. After exploring various web pages and posts about Dental Hygiene Month, I was surprised to read that there is a dearth of gratitude and appreciation expressed to dental hygienists.
How many of us have been thanked for practicing our profession? We perform a skill that many think is repulsing. How many times have you been told, "The mouth is disgusting," or "I can't believe you clean teeth all day long." When our profession is so short-staffed and burned out, I wonder that if more of us felt appreciated for our calling, would it help?
While I recognize that the public needs to be educated about oral hygiene and all that it encompasses, I also believe that the public should say thank you. I have been lucky enough to have heard, "Thank you for taking care of me today," from a patient, and it made my heart soar.
In case no one has told you, thank you for being a registered dental hygienist. Thank you for providing oral care to patients in a dental office. Thank you for providing oral hygiene to those in the community outreach settings, and thank you for providing dental care to the underserved.
To the men and women who meet at the national, state, and local level of dental hygiene meetings to bring attention to the important matters that are shaping our profession, thank you. It takes a lot of time to attend these meetings. Sometimes, it is all volunteer work. Our profession would not be moving forward -- or what it is today -- without the help of you.
To all the dental hygienists working in education, you are creating our future. You work tirelessly every semester, you pivot when the Commission of Dental Accreditation says you need to make changes, and you ensure that every student feels confident to sit for their boards. Thank you.
To the dental hygienists who are the pioneers in the profession, you are online, you are coaching, you are consulting, you are speaking, you are being present and heard! You talk about new research, trending topics, uncomfortable situations, and the latest technology. You are awesome. You do what many of us cannot. Thank you for bringing all the latest and greatest to websites, conferences, magazines, social media, podcasts, and continuing education.
To all of us in our licensed profession, each one of us is amazing at what we do, and we bring unique gifts and experiences to the patients and colleagues we connect with every day while we are working. I’m proud to think about each one of you. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being a registered dental hygienist.
Happy National Dental Hygiene Month! I hope no matter how you celebrate that you feel celebrated.
Editor’s note: References are available upon request.
Tracee S. Dahm, MS, RDH, is an adjunct clinical instructor for the North Idaho College School of Dental Hygiene in Coeur d’Alene, ID. She also works in private practice. Dahm has published articles in several dental journals, magazines, and a textbook. Her research interests include trends in dental hygiene and improving access to dental care for the underserved. She can be reached at [email protected].
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