1. WELCOME
Perform unprofessional behavior 

2. Clinical Professionalism
Making it a triple threat between YOU, YOUR INSTRUCTOR, and YOUR PATIENT
By Leah Spittle RDH, BS
-Today we will be discussing clinical professionalism
-That phone call was an EXTREME example of unprofessional behavior
-Have you ever witnessed unprofessional behavior?
-How did that make you feel?
-Have you ever performed unprofessional behavior?
-This presentation will define clinical professionalism and explain the importance of it
-Explain the differences between unprofessional and professional behavior (in physical appearance, thoughts, and actions)
-Define what is expected of you, your instructor interaction, and interaction with your patients

3. What is a Dental Hygienist to patients?
A “teeth cleaner”?
A Dental Assistant?
A “Dental Nurse”?
Someone who yells at me to floss every 6 months?
-First we need to understand what the definition of a dental hygienist is
-All of these “terms” are actual comments I have heard patients define a DH as
-We have: Teeth cleaner, dental assistant (not knowing the difference between the two), a dental nurse, someone who yells at me every 6 months to floss (from my husband)
-These examples show that patients do not fully understand our role in the dental field, and if we believe that this is all we are, we will lack in professionalism
-We are SO MUCH MORE!

4. What is a Clinical Dental Hygiene Professional?
YOU!
80%/20% Rule
Licensed Dental Professional Specializing in
Preventative oral health
Education of patients
Provide dental hygiene diagnosis
-What is a clinical dental hygiene professional?
-STARTING RIGHT NOW THIS IS YOU!
-I believe in the 80% 20% rule, I patented this rule 
-20% of what we do as Dental hygienists is “cleaning” teeth. While learning hand skills and instrumentation is very important and a part of our job, it is just a PART OF OUR JOB it is not the full definition of what a DH is.
-80% of what we do is showcasing clinical professionalism, education of the patients, and recognizing proper dental hygiene diagnosis procedures.

5. Definition according to ADHA
The dental hygienist employs critical decision-making skills to reach conclusions about the patient’s needs related to oral health and disease that fall within the dental hygiene scope of practice. The hygienist then develops the dental hygiene treatment plan which is incorporated into the comprehensive treatment plan developed by the dentist and/or other health care providers. The development of a dental hygiene diagnosis requires the use of skills to identify the source of the patient’s problem.
-Not once did it mention all you do is clean teeth!
-So much more than that!

6. What is clinical professionalism?
It’s not just the job you DO…it’s how you DO the job!
It is shown through thoughts, appearance, and actions
It’s the display of how a Dental Hygienist conducts themselves in a professional situation
Educational institution
Pre clinic and clinic
Public health venue
Dental office
It is essential to patient care
-Its not just the job you do it is how you do the job!
-It is shown through thoughts, appearance and actions
-It’s the display of how a dental hygienist conducts themselves in a professional situation whether it is in: an educational institution (like pre clinic, or clinic with patients), a public health venue (teaching at a school, WIC clinic, providing free dental services for charity etc) in your dental office you will be employed with.
-clinical professionalism is an essential part to patient care
-For a patient to understand your education, what you teach them, to accept your treatment, to “believe” what you say, and to “believe” that you know what you are talking about you NEED to approach them in a professional manor.

7. Clinical Professionalism: Three parts making you a “triple threat”
-How do we achieve clinical professionalism
-I call this “making you a triple threat”-in a very positive way
-I have divided clinical professionalism into three parts
-these three parts are what are expected of you in pre-clinic, clinic, and in your classes, and hopefully we will create habits that you can use after graduation
-Part one-YOU!
-Part two- YOUR INSTRUCTOR
-Part three- YOUR PATIENT
-and how we incorporate clinical professionalism into all three of those aspects

8. Clinical Professionalism and YOU
Appearance
Maintain proper personal hygiene
Bathe/shower daily
Deodorant is worn
Hair brushed and styled appropriately
NO heavy perfume or lotions
Nails: clean, cut, polish not chipped
Teeth brushed and breath fresh
Make-up: not required but if worn no excessive or dramatic looks
Look awake and alert
Scrubs: pressed, free of pet hair, lint etc.
Shoes clean and tied
Socks matching and worn above ankle bone
-First we start with appearance
-Maintain proper personal hygiene
-Now I know that school is tiring and hard a times but it is vital Especially when dealing with patients that you take the time to do all of these things
-*read them one by one
-Explain pics

9. Clinical Professionalism and YOU
NEVER use negative self-talk
Practice showing self respect in clinic and other parts of life
Never say these to yourself, your instructor, or your patient
“I can’t!”
“This sucks”
“I will never get this”
“I’ll never pass”
“I’m going to fail”
“I’ll never be like so-n-so….”
“This is stupid”
“This is HOPELESS”
Be Positive!
-never use negative self talk!
-Your instructors and your patient do not want to hear it!
-Practice showing self respect in clinic, classes, and other parts of life
-Never say these things to yourself, your instructor, or your patient
-Say things
-Stay positive
-Say I can! I will! I may need to practice but I WILL GET IT! I’M GOING TO PASS!

10. Clinical Professionalism and YOU
Never be afraid to ask for help
If you do not understand something- address it again!
-Never be afraid to ask for help
-If you do not understand something an instructor teaches you address it again!
-do not just say you understand if you do not!
-Your instructors want to teach you until you understand.

11. Clinical Professionalism: Three parts making you a “triple threat”
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
-We will now move on to part two
-This section deals with clinical professionalism and how you address your instructors in clinic and class

12. Clinical Professionalism and YOUR INSTRUCTOR
BE RESPECTFUL!
They want you to succeed!
Never question their method of instruction
Never question their reason for passing or failing you in front of a patient
If you have a problem address it after clinic
Avoid loud, boisterous talk in clinic
Saying these things are not appropriate and are childish
“But that is not what another instructor told me”
“Well so-n-so passed me last time!”
Never tell an instructor NO!
BE RESPECTFUL!
-Your faculty want you to succeed
-They have been doing this for a long time and are well trained in clinical instruction
-never question their method of teaching-especially in front of your clinic partner or your patient
-never question their reasoning for passing or failing you on formatives in front of a patient
-If you have a problem with an instructor, their method of teaching, or question a passing for failing grade-address this after clinic by making an appointment with them
-Avoid loud boisterous talk in clinic when discussing with an instructor. Many people may hear you and this can be misinterpreted by others,
-Ensure that others cannot hear you when discussing about a patient or others in the clinic
-Be cautious of your presentations or interactions with your instructor
-Never say childish remarks like --*say remarks
-Never tell an instructor NO if the want you to try a different instrument or change what you are doing. They know best! And there is usually a reason why they want you to try something different-if you are confused why they are having you change something ask politely “Can you help me understand why I should change this?” Etc.

13. Clinical Professionalism: Three parts making you a “triple threat”
YOUR PATIENT
-our final section for clinical professionalism will deal with your patient

14. Clinical Professionalism and YOUR PATIENT
Speak clearly
Loud enough for your patient to hear you, but not so loud the whole clinic can
Annunciate your words
Consider the elderly or the hearing impaired
Remove mask
Do not sit with arms crossed
-Speak clearly
-it is so important to speak loud enough that your patient can hear you
-However remember that you may be dealing with personal information such as medical histories, concerns etc so do not speak so loud that it makes your patient uncomfortable
-In clinic you will be relaying information to your clinic instructor again monitor level of voice here, not to loud but not inaudible.
-Annunciate your words
-Understand correct pronunciation of medical/dental terms and medications-this will add to your clinical professionalism in the eyes of the patient
Consider the elderly or the hearing impaired
-Remove your mask when speaking to these individuals. Often they can read lips and this will aid in their understanding.
-Never sit with arms crossed when talking with them- look open and inviting in your conversation

15. Clinical Professionalism and YOUR PATIENT
Listen to them
Patients want to be heard
Do not rush them when they answer your questions
Stop talking and Listen to your patients
-Many of your questions will be answered if you listen to them
-They will tell you things that you may not have thought to ask this can help you in treatment planning
-Do not rush them when they talk

16. Clinical Professionalism and YOUR PATIENT
Use and maintain eye contact
Never turn your back to them when asking questions
Confidently look them in the eye when talking with them
Use affirming head nods letting them know you understand
-Part of your professionalism and confidence comes from good eye contact
-Never turn your back to your patient when asking them questions
-confidently look them in the eye when talking
-Use affirming head nods letting them know you understand them

17. Clinical Professionalism and YOUR PATIENT
Be confident in your skills/treatment with your patient
Certain words/phrases can make the patient anxious or uncomfortable
Do NOT say:
“Oops”
“I’m sorry”-over and over again
“Am I hurting you”-over and over again
“YOU’RE BLEEDING!”
“I see blood”
“This looks bad”
“This looks gross”
“That doesn’t look normal!”
It is very important to be confident in you skills/treatment with your patient
-Saying certain words and phrases can make your patient uncomfortable, anxious, and panic
-Do not say:*say all emphasizing “over and over again”
-You may ask your patient if they are comfortable occasionally but not repeatedly

18. Clinical Professionalism and YOUR PATIENT
Be respectful and polite
Greet them with a smile and “Hello”
Use proper, courteous terms
“Yes ma’am”….”Yes Sir”
Please
Thank you
Excuse me
Use “Permission Statements”
Be respectful and polite to all patients
-Greet them with a smile, hello and a handshake
-Walk with them into the clinic-do not rush ahead of them
-Make small talk making them comfortable for treatment
-Use courteous terms throughout interaction
-*say terms
-Use “permission statements” I learned this in a hygiene job and I loved it-Patients do not like to give up control and a permission statement puts some control back into their hands.
-. For example when discussing health history with your instructor, turn to your patient and say “would you mind if I reviewed your health history with my instructor?” Or when laying the chair back “Would it be alright if I leaned your chair back so we can begin?” Or when discussing treatment findings “I would like to discuss some treatment findings with you, would that be alright?”
-This permission statement has great power and I have had fantastic success with patient compliance when using it.

19. Clinical Professionalism and YOUR PATIENT
NEVER use slang terms, inappropriate language, or swear words
Never say:
Any swear word AT ALL!
“Crap”
“This sucks”
“Whatever”
“Oh my…” (OMG)
If you have a bad habit of swearing or using inappropriate language- stop now!!
-There is no excuse of this
-It is offensive and very unprofessional

20. To Review

21. Reviewing what we have learned
Being a dental hygienist is not just about cleaning someone’s teeth.
It is about showcasing clinical professionalism and individual respect for yourself, your instructor, and your patient.
Clinical professionalism and individual respect is shown through words, thoughts, actions, and appearance.
-Review what is on slides *say it

22. Practice Clinical Professionalism NOW!
Before you know it you will have your first patient in YOUR CHAIR!
As instructors we want you to have fun and succeed!
Clinical Professionalism begins with YOU!
-Before you know it you will have your first patient in your chair
-As instructors and your faculty members we want you to succeed
-Clinic is a lot of fun, but maintaining a professional demeanor is vital to your career as a dental hygienist
-it begins with you!