Making memories—and an impact
Each week the RDH PIRA (Patient Impact & Rise Above) recognition program, sponsored by Water Pik, Inc., features a dental hygiene clinician who excels in his or her role and goes the extra mile. The past two years have been a challenge for many clinicians and as we return to the operatory, we want to acknowledge those who provide patient care—clinicians who are changing their patients’ lives, influencing their patients’ health, and making a difference every day. This week we honor Jacqueline Carcaramo, BSDH, RDH, RYT, Ayurvedic counselor.
Jacqueline is an RDH who has been practicing clinically since 2015. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. Jacqueline is a certified hatha and aerial yoga teacher, meditation teacher, and soon-to-be Ayurvedic practitioner. Ayurvedic doctors and practitioners use theories and techniques developed thousands of years ago in India to bring people into physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance, thereby maintaining health, curing diseases, and promoting happiness and fulfillment.1
Jacqueline teaches classes at an all-inclusive luxury wellness retreat. After years of working in a multispecialty dental office, she currently practices in a pediatric dental office and discovered her love of working clinically with children. With her background in holistic wellness and her dental hygiene education, Jacqueline is a true believer in getting to the root cause and educating others about living healthier lives. She has developed an online community through her social media platforms. Visit them on Instagram @the.flossophy, TikTok @theflossophy, or her website at theflossophy.com.
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Her PIRA submission read: “Oral cancer. Sjogren's. Lupus. Telling patients they will be losing their teeth. Crying. Laughing. Hand holding. Memories. Company. Being a dental hygienist has been a remarkably rewarding career and it’s just the beginning. Through the years I’ve had a plethora of unexpected experiences. I could write on about each of my patient encounters that truly made an impact on me, but in the end, I can say that I also have truly made an impact on them. I’ve collected memories from these people. I’ve changed some of their lives with good news and bad. Still, when I hear them say, 'That was the best experience I’ve had at the dentist,' it reminds me that I’m doing good work.”
Reference
1. Ayurvedic doctors and practitioners. Firsthand. https://firsthand.co/professions/ayurvedic-doctors-and-practitioners
About the Author
Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH
Chief Editor, RDH magazine
Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH, is a respected dental industry leader with more than 40 years of experience in dental hygiene, marketing, and professional relations. As chief editor of RDH, she is dedicated to advancing the dental profession through education, innovation, and collaboration. Prior to this role, she served as manager of professional relations and communications for Sunstar/GUM, building strong connections with industry associations, educational institutions, and dental professionals nationwide. Jackie has also contributed her expertise through committee service with organizations including the American Dental Education Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.