A driving force of ethics
Kevin Ohashi Lopez, MHA, BSDH, RDH, faced an unexpected event soon after becoming an RDH. A patient filed a formal complaint complaint about him when he performed an extraoral exam on her. She claimed that he touched her inappropriately. She was a standing patient, and he was surprised she'd never had the exam. The doctor did not defend Kevin, and he figured out quickly the dental practice was not where he wanted to stay.
He asked around, and was told by other hygienists, "That's just the way we do things outside of school." He continued to inquire, and encountered one RDH who suggested he might want to pursue interests outside the op. Today he's a speaker, ambassador, mentor, guided biofilm therapy trainer with the Swiss Dental Academy, and NBDHE review faculty with Sanders Board Preparatory.
Through his work, Kevin stressed the importance of ethics in the profession. He strongly believes dental hygienists should build on their foundation in ethics and continue ethical practices after they graduate in the operatory.
If you ever experience any ethical issues, remember that you aren't alone. Reach out to your fellow hygienists for support, and follow Kevin on Instagram @kevstalksteeth.
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About the podcast
RDH Magazine Podcast is the community of voices you love from RDH magazine, brought to your podcast feed every week. You can expect to gain education and have the RDH magazine community in your ears to complement the content you enjoy online and in print each month.
About the Author
Kevin Ohashi Lopez, MHA, BSDH, RDH
Kevin Ohashi Lopez, MHA, BSDH, RDH, is a San Francisco-based dental hygienist. He graduated from West Coast University in 2019 and obtained a master's in health administration. Currently practicing in Napa Valley, Kevin brings diverse dental experience, with both front- and back-office expertise. He is a speaker, ambassador, mentor, Guided Biofilm Therapy trainer with the Swiss Dental Academy, and NBDHE review faculty with Sanders Board Preparatory. Connect with him on Instagram @kevstalksteeth or via email at [email protected].
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.