Janette Whisenhunt
Well, it's that time of year again. It seems like it comes around sooner and sooner as I get older. The holidays and the end of the year can sneak up on us so fast. It's such a busy time of year, and it can get so crazy that many times we forget the simple things this time of year should remind us of. It's a time for being thankful, feeling blessed, and doing good for others.
I want to remind you this month of what blessings you've had this past year. It's a time to remember what you've been through and what good things you've been blessed with. I would also like to ask you what you've done this year that has blessed others.
Dental hygienists are already such caring people, and we love our patients. I know hundreds of hygienists and I've never met one who was not a caring and nurturing person. Often we get so busy with our lives that we forget we need to give to others. I'm a firm believer in "what goes around comes around," and I've seen that old saying prove itself over and over in my life.
This is the time for giving, and we need to think about where we're sharing our talent, time, and money. There are so many dental organizations and charities to support. Wherever you support, I'm sure they appreciate you; we just need to be reminded to support those organizations of our choice.
There are many wonderful dental charities out there that can use our support. There are several dental societies that have formed volunteer organizations that provide free dental clinics each month across the nation. Many dental hygiene components are also very involved in organizations that support and care for others, and I think that is so awesome. Getting involved in organizations that are dental related can be very fulfilling, and you're using your talent for others who are so appreciative.
The students in our dental assisting and hygiene programs are preparing to spend the weekend helping in a Missions of Mercy dental clinic in North Carolina, and I know the students will see how their talent can be used to help others. It is a great opportunity for them, and for us as their faculty, to show them how helping in dental charities can be so rewarding.
Our students and this younger generation are very aware of giving to others, and I'm happy to see that in the new graduates. It gives me great pride and I'm so thankful that this new generation of hygienists is so social-minded and willing to help others. I want to encourage everyone to find an organization or charity they believe in and want to support and go for it.
Use your talent, time, or money (or all three) and support someone who does not have all the advantage you do. Give to those who cannot do for themselves. It's a wonderful feeling and is something we need to do as often as we can, and not just during the holiday season.
'Tis the season to care, love others, and show our support. Be thankful for the great job you have and the great team you work with every day. Thinking positively and with a thankful heart can help uplift your spirit and make you less likely to be depressed or feel down. We need to think of ways to help others and not be self-absorbed in our daily grind. You get so much more out of the experience than you give.
I challenge you this year-end to think about where you can give of your time and energy to help others. You will be so glad you did, and you will feel blessed, and we can all use more blessings! Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year, and happy scaling! RDH
Jannette Whisenhunt, RDH, BS, MEd, PhD, is the Department Chair of Dental Education at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, N.C. Dr. Whisenhunt has taught since 1987 in the dental hygiene and dental assisting curricula. She has a love for students and served as the state student advisor for nine years and has won the student Advisor of the Year award from ADHA in the past. Her teaching interests are in oral cancer, ethics, infection control, emergencies and orofacial anatomy. Dr. Whisenhunt also has a small continuing education business where she provides CE courses for dental practices and local associations. She can be reached at [email protected].
