Meet Lindsey A Healthcare Hygienist with Heart

Meet Lindsey Morris, RDH. She is a Healthcare Hygienist in Gilbert, Arizona. She is a proud member of National Network of Healthcare Hygienists (NNHH) and holds a certificate in Oral Systemic Education.

What type of setting do you currently work in? Are you integrated in any way, or do you collaborate with any medical providers?

I am taking a break from clinical practice to go back to school for my masters degree. After that I am excited to get into integrated healthcare. I occasionally collaborate with a pediatric epileptologist on the relation between oral health and seizure disorders which has helped me learn how to provide the best care for these patients while in the dental office as well as help him to know what oral health concerns or oral side effects from medication to look for.

What did you choose for your Capstone project? How did that help your community or deepen your learning?

I was able to collaborate with a pediatric neurologist/epileptologist to create a pamphlet as a patient/provider resource for epilepsy and oral health. This project has helped me gain a greater knowledge of the different seizure disorders, such as epilepsy, and how they can affect the rest of the body including oral health. I was able to share my resources with the Epilepsy Foundation and they are currently working to include them in their resources to share it with patients, caregivers, and providers.

What demographic tugs at your heart strings?

I work in a general practice, but really enjoy working with children and those with special needs.

What type of role / job description do you dream of?

I would love to work in a pediatric oncology or neurology office providing oral health screenings and education to those in this patient population in hopes of easing and preventing unnecessary discomfort and oral diseases.

Why did you enroll in the Oral Systemic Educator Certificate Program?

I enrolled in the Oral Systemic Educator Certificate Program because I wanted to learn how to provide care for the whole person rather than focusing on just the mouth. I wanted to better understand the link between how oral health can affect the body and vice versa and learn how to provide the best care to help lessen or prevent further diseases. I want to help people live and enjoy their best lives.

What was the main benefit for you?

It has helped me feel more confident in my abilities to educate my patients on oral systemic health and in collaborating with those in the medical profession. Most people outside of dentistry don't realize how much training we actually have and how much we can help when providing healthcare for our patients.

If you are an RDH considering becoming a member of National Network of Healthcare Hygienists, Lindsey says, "Do it! You have nothing to lose taking this course and everything to gain. We are taught in hygiene school to care for the whole patient, not just the mouth and this course provides the missing knowledge we need in order to do that and much more."

Connect with Lindsey Morris, RDH, BSDH, COSE  [email protected]