March 2, 2017

Why Would I Do This?

By Carole Ferch, RDH, I-Smile Silver Coordinator
Scott County Health Department

If I had a nickel for every time someone has asked me, “How can you work in people’s mouths all day?” I would have a lot more money! The fact is, I have been in dentistry for 29 years and I still LOVE working in people’s mouths.

I get to help people become healthier by cleaning harmful bacteria from the teeth and gums, teaching proper daily mouth care skills, performing oral cancer screenings, and helping the dentist collect important health details. And that’s just the beginning…

When I was in dental hygiene school, my dad fell off of his roof and was hospitalized for several months. He was in bad shape and needed lots of medical help. Many weeks went by before I realized that his hospital caregivers were so duly focused on caring for his injuries, that his mouth care had “taken a back seat.” At that point, I decided it was time to help him clean his teeth. I spent lots of time brushing and flossing his teeth, removing the germs that had built up over the past weeks. Despite my dad’s poor physical health, when I finished cleaning his teeth, he looked at me with a smile and said, “This is the best I have felt since I got here.” This was not just a “good job, Carole” moment for me. This was an “OH MY GOODNESS, PEOPLE CAN REALLY FEEL BETTER WITH A CLEAN MOUTH” moment for me! I made sure to take care of his mouth at least twice daily until he was able to do it himself.

This small glimpse into my personal life illustrates one of the many motivating factors in my decision to work with the I-Smile™ Silver program in Scott County. As the I-Smile™ Silver Coordinator, I get to promote oral health and provide education for seniors, their caregivers and health care providers. I am also a great resource to link seniors to dental care. To learn more about the I-Smile™ Silver program, visit http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/health/oral-health/i-smile-silver or call and ask for Carole at (563) 326-8618 ext. 8258. It is easy to love your job when you get to help people become healthier.
That’s why I do this!

Carole Ferch, RDH is I-Smile Silver Coordinator at the Scott County Health Department, 600 W. 4th St., Davenport, Iowa 52801-1030. She can be reached at (563) 326-8618, ext. 8258.

Filed Under: Community, Health & Wellness

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