Priscila’s first goal: get to know you, get you comfortable, hear about any concerns you have. “Then I can jump into the fun stuff for me: the cleaning. I like to see the results. Your gums becoming prettier, perkier, firmer. Your mouth becoming healthier.”
And no matter who you are, no judgment. “If you don’t floss every day, I say, ‘You’re not the only one! Before I went to hygiene school, I didn’t either. It’s a hard habit to keep up.’ Then we get really practical. ‘If you flossed three times this week, great. Try four times next week.’”
Most satisfying for her: when her patients come back months later, and she can see what they talked about last time taking effect. “Education is key. I believe in teamwork. My patient and I are a team. And we’re going for the goal, which is oral health, and overall health. And when we make progress together, it makes me feel really great.”