Meet Margaret, an Oncology Hygienist & Passionate Advocate

Margaret Sawatske Livingston CDA, RDH, is from Calgary, Alberta Canada. She is a proud member of National Network of Healthcare Hygienists (NNHH) and a student in the Oncology Certificate Program.

Margaret has been the senior dental hygienist in a hospital dental clinic for the past 20 years. Their patient base is 80% oncology patients. They see clients before they start their cancer treatment, and bone marrow or stem cell transplants. They also serve clients who need to get on the transplant list. Her clinic started as an HIV clinic in the 1980’s and progressed. Their dental clinic consults with physicians and oncologists regularly, so she became involved with NNHH to collaborate with like-minded hygienists.

Margaret has also worked as a clinical hygienist in a periodontal specialty office for the past 21 years. She refers her patients to oral medicine or oral surgeons for biopsies of suspicious lesions early as she knows that early detection saves lives. She said, “I am a patient advocate. I direct patients for grief counseling, where to get food, or financial assistance while going through cancer treatment, and how to get disability tax breaks. I have done head and neck cancer screenings for the past 29 years and have found so many cases of skin and oral cancers. I really encourage my colleagues to not skip this step.”

We asked her to tell us more about her job and she said,

“I love my senior adult hospital patients. My vulnerable patients need someone who listens to them. Really listen, have and show empathy and compassion. Advocate for your patients. They share their fears, hopes and achievements. I believe if you earn your patient’s trust- they will move forward with treatment plans.  I have my dream job at the hospital. I love learning and educating my clients. Remember you’re never too old and it is never too late to advance your education. You make a difference in your patient’s lives.”

Connect with Margaret at [email protected]