President's Corner

 

It is a privilege again to serve as your 2005-2006 President of Second District Dental Hygiene Society. It is hard to believe that the 2006-year is already upon us, and what exciting steps our profession gained this year. The hard work of many of our peers helped us to achieve Nitrous Oxide Administration and delivery of Local Anesthetic.

 

Nitrous Oxide Administrtion is currently being taught at various locations across the state of Tennessee. With the help of Tennessee Technical College we were able to provide an Administration class this past August, and hope to provide more classes in the future. The administration of local anesthetic is still with the Board of Dentistry in which the statues of educating and certifying dental hygienists are being determined. We hope administrative classes will be available in 2006.

 

Over the past several years we have had many challenges in protecting the profession of dental hygiene. Many changes and threats still plague our profession and it is through the help of the Tennessee Dental Hygienists' Association, its members, and our lobbyists that each of us still have a profession and that our career opportunities are still growing. It is critical for each of us to know what is occurring within our profession and I urge all of you to attend local meetings to know what challenges we face and to know that we are practicing legally and within our practice act.

 

The Second District Dental Hygiene Society is very informed of changes and challenges occurring within our profession, which are reported at each of our monthly meetings by our district Trustee. In addition to this report we offer 1.5 hours of continuing education credits at many of our meetings. The officers have worked hard this summer to establish an array of excellent speakers and locations, which hopefully are accessible to many of you. I personally invite you to attend our meetings in which you will stay attuned to your profession, receive education credits, and meet your fellow hygienists. I encourage each of you to join TDHA and be a member of Second District. Your support and voice are always welcomed, received, and needed. Non-members are also welcome to attend local meetings. I look forward to seeing all of you at our meetings and welcome input for additionaal education courses or how Second District can meet your needs.

 

The officers of Second District look forward to an exciting year. Please comment on matters that you feel would better our association or how we may be of help to you.

 

Kelly Gross, RDH, BS

President