Have you ever imagined feeling appreciated beyond your expectations for your clinical work and/or contribution as a dental hygienist? Allow me to explain;

I was chosen as one of the "fab 5" finalists for the annual 2007 BreathRx Hygienist of the Year Award sponsored by Discus Dental and Modern Hygienist.

This past week was one of celebration ~ a celebration for being who we are, where we’ve come from and what we envision our role to be.

Personally, I’ve grown into a confident, compassionate survivor who will empower those whose character has been either in question or suffocated. I was told that I should give up speaking, writing, coaching and continue to endure the physical pain of full time clinical hygiene. My inner voice felt different, it has been a long journey and I’m still healing. My motto has driven me to promote; Take What You Learn and Make a Difference with IT!

Professionally, I intend to proceed with my quest in altering our patient’s perception of the hygiene appointment from "Just a Cleaning" to "Health & Wellness". Assisted Hygiene will become an accepted program to accomplish this within practices that are team centered; patient focused. My role will also transcend from our dental profession to consumer, corporate and other health professions.

A MAGNITUDE of thanks to the entire team of Modern Hygienist, Discus Dental and those behind the scenes for a well-planned, no detail missed, abolutely inspiring, magical, entertaining memory that will be thought of each time I hear the song "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield!

"Feel the rain on your skin; No one else can feel it for you; Only you can let it in; No one else, no one else can speak the words on your lips; Drench yourself in words unspoken; Live your life with arms wide open; Today is where your book begins; The rest is still unwritten."