Most of us are gifted with five senses: sight, touch, smell, taste, and hearing. Have you ever thought about which of these you use the most? Do you know someone who has lost one of their senses (or never had it)? Did you lose your sense of taste or smell during the pandemic? We seldom appreciate these gifts until they’re challenged.
In our profession, the most valued senses may be sight and touch. If you visit the Vision and Eye Health Awareness Calendar, you’ll find a listing of different vision topics that are recognized each month. For April, those include cortical visual impairment (CVI), sports eye safety, and women’s eye health and safety.
Throughout our educational training, we learn about eye protection and the need to protect our patients’ eye health. We learn why not to touch our eyes, and we empower ourselves (and protect against eye strain) with loupes. We use our sight to recognize our patients’ faces, which instruments we are picking up, and the colors, textures, and anatomy within the oral cavity.
This month we feature articles on eye health, eye protection, and the necessity of visibility when treating our patients.
Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, PHEDH, shares emerging research connecting the link between inflammation of the eyes and the mouth. Katrina Sanders, M.Ed., BSDH, RDH, RF, reveals new research data on eye protection and aerosol mitigation safety guidelines. Linda Rhoades, MSDH, RDH, talks about why you should think about keeping face shields as part of your PPE protocol at even this stage of the pandemic. Crystal Spring, RDH, LAP, and Becky Smith, EdD, CRDH, discuss the ways vision plays an integral part in recognizing stains, discolorations, and warning signs.
The RDH team is focused on the future. RDH Under One Roof will be held from July 21-23 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida; access the 2022 preliminary event guide. If you’re seeking career guidance and professional development, also consider reviewing the schedule for RDH Evolution on July 19-20. The program is right before RDH Under One Roof at the same location and will help you build goals and take the steps required to attain those goals.
Spring is here and the RDH team looks forward to supporting you throughout your year.
