I hesitate to say that the words: "I'm so grateful you're here" fall into my ears every day. I hesitate because it sounds so, I don't know... trite.. Or alternatively, it sounds... arrogant, like I'm bragging? But hear me out. I am blessed with these words every day because the patients really, really have an easier time getting their care now that the hygiene clinic is here. The vast majority of my patients have been out of touch with their dental office in the valley for several (often many) years. I've seen many patients several times now and still they let me know how much they appreciate the availability of my services. All of the sudden, today, it really hit me.... what we are doing, fellow hygienists, is GOOD.
My clinic has been in business for 11 months now and I won't mince words, it has been a lot of effort to get it going.. It was hard because I'd never done this before. Hard because I didn't personally know any hygienists who have a clinic. Hard because I was building a clientele from scratch. Hard because I had to learn insurance-billing on the fly. Hard because some insurance companies (one in particular carried most of my insured pts) didn't pay me even when their own guidelines for reimbursement clearly indicated that I should be paid ~ and I had a TON of claims for them. (Now 9 months from the first claim, it has unclogged its constipated claims department-- thank gosh)(woops was that non-PR?) Rice and beans became my staple meal in the meantime.
My clinic has been in business for 11 months now and I won't mince words, it has been a lot of effort to get it going.. It was hard because I'd never done this before. Hard because I didn't personally know any hygienists who have a clinic. Hard because I was building a clientele from scratch. Hard because I had to learn insurance-billing on the fly. Hard because some insurance companies (one in particular carried most of my insured pts) didn't pay me even when their own guidelines for reimbursement clearly indicated that I should be paid ~ and I had a TON of claims for them. (Now 9 months from the first claim, it has unclogged its constipated claims department-- thank gosh)(woops was that non-PR?) Rice and beans became my staple meal in the meantime.
But I tell you what, dear audience, this jouney wasn't just hard. It was, and is, rewarding beyond measure. I wouldn't be doing it otherwise.
I was on my way out of hygiene before, but I've found the heart again.
I spent way too many years plodding back and forth to jobs within your everyday, average-to-thriving dental offices. While my dentists practices were doing well, which is great, having to commute through hugely underserved communities on my way to work was an irony that was never lost on me. That situation is sad, but its the feeling of powerlessness to help those communities that really hurts ya. To have mastered a healing art, especially a preventive one, while not being legally able to help those near you who need it, and want it, well -- its a soul-crusher. Many of us have developed superhero coping mechanisms to deal with that powerlessness, but I cannot endorse long-term use of those coping mechanisms.
Being able to freely treat the folks in Oakridge with preventive & maintenance care, screenings, education and the referrals they need is so professionally satisfying. The fact that I don't (legally) just have to just blow through my town and let it fend for itself is a huge relief... and not only that, it indicates that Oregon's oral health care system IS evolving in a healthy direction -- prevention/early intervention is soooo valuable.
But to hear from the patients every day, "I am so glad you are here".... *wow* it doesn't get much better than that. Icing on the cake. Reward at the end of a long hard struggle. All that good stuff. Today it really hit me.
Christa
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If you've thought about making a professional change, as in creating a hygiene business that would help an Oregon population, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Many hygienists have done it, many more are in the process. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Do something every day, Come to a HIIP meeting. Find out about local business start-up classes given by Small Business Development Centers all over the state. Or think about your most pleasant vision of what you would do in your biz and write it down.
Christa
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If you've thought about making a professional change, as in creating a hygiene business that would help an Oregon population, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Many hygienists have done it, many more are in the process. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Do something every day, Come to a HIIP meeting. Find out about local business start-up classes given by Small Business Development Centers all over the state. Or think about your most pleasant vision of what you would do in your biz and write it down.
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