President's Message
I want to thank everyone for attending the WDHA's 53rd Annual Meeting- the members, non-members, students, vendors, and guests. The increased participation appears to be due to the central location in Casper, as well as the informative CE courses offered. It is great to see old faces and new ones as well.
Your participation in this meeting/session is a great example of becoming involved and is the theme of my presidency term. As many of you know, I teach at Sheridan College and this year we had a theme entitled "Education is Not a Spectator Sport" for our new student orientation. The idea was for students to get involved and be responsible for their education. Doing the readings, doing the assignments, asking the questions when they don't understand. Taking ownership in what they are doing at Sheridan College.
I think this idea of "Education is Not a Spectator Sport" plays well into life, as well as dental hygiene. Life is not a spectator sport. I would encourage everyone to not just be a "wall flower", but to get out and get involved. If it be our kids' sporting events, our church groups, and even in dental hygiene.
I also understand we are busy in our lives. I sometimes look at what I am doing in my life and think- "Well no wonder you are stressed out!" I should have listened to my mom again- she always saying "Sara, don't spread yourself too thin." Ooops. :)
With that said- how can you have balance and also give?
Exciting things are happening in dental hygiene and here in Wyoming.
- Mandatory CE is coming down the pipe
- We have dental hygienists looking for other opportunities to provide care other than in private practice
- There are individuals who are pursing degrees not only to advance their own education, but are advancing the dental hygiene profession.
There are many examples of what dental hygienists are doing, but the common theme is they are getting involved and they are not just being a spectator.
Keeping a balanced life with spouses, kids (in my case my animals :)), work and what I can give is tough. And what can I give to WDHA may be even harder.
But I ask you to ask yourself;
- Maybe I can give some of my time and enthusiasm for dental hygiene to hold a WDHA office or serve on a committee
- Maybe I can give some of my time and enthusiasm for dental hygiene to help WDHA stamp envelopes, phone a legislator, or write an article for the newsletter
- Or maybe at this time I don’t' have any time, but I still have my enthusiasm for dental hygiene and all I can give to WDHA is financial support and person support to those who have more time on their hands. :)
I have been fortunate to have had several individuals invigorate me with the "dental hygiene bug"- Val Rodekhor, Pauline Phillips, Jan Dill, Joni Hamilton, and Sheila Flynn and I want to thank them for that.
Thank you again for attending the 53rd annual meeting and who knows you too may begin as the Newsletter Editor and progress to the highest honor.
Sara Beres
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