In clinic, we experience people from all different backgrounds. One requirement that we had to have this semester was working with a special needs patient. I found this experience to be very beneficial in helping me understand everyone's individual needs. The special needs patients that I worked with had dental anxiety and red dye allergies. I had to make sure that the steps of the clinic process were modified to meet their needs. It made me think of what I learned about ethics in Sociology about how equity is not the same as equality. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances that need different opportunities to reach equality.  As a dental hygienist, it is important to understand these needs in order to give individualized care to every patient. 

Every week we go to a different rotation site where we get experience working in public health. These rotation sites are usually run by nonprofits and churches. Several of the patients that come to these public health clinics speak little to no english. This experience has allowed me to get experience with patients of different cultural backgrounds and the obstacles that come with cultural/social differences. Communication with the patient is important for education and providing informed consent. At some rotation sites, a translator is provided which has greatly helped with communication. Sometimes a patient will speak a little english and we have to spend more time explaining what we will be doing to ensure that they understand. These experiences have been an integral part of my education at HACC and I can apply what I have learned in my career.