Editor’s Note: I will readily admit that I’m a social media junkie. I have a page on Myspace and Facebook, and I am active as I can be on Twitter. I’ve been toying with the idea of doing an interview only using Twitter, and I finally found a friend and dental assistant who was willing to give it a shot with me. Below you’ll find the interview I did with Blanca Raygoza (@blanquis26), a dental assistant in Mesquite, Texas. I’m leaving the English, punctuation, and everything just as it was, just to give you a taste for Twitter language if you’re not already using it. My heartfelt thanks to my friend Blanca for helping me with this project and making it a reality!
DAD: So let's get started. Tell me about you and what you do.
Blanquis26: I'm a "clinical cordinator" dental asst, jack of all trades 4 Dr. Dyer and Kolath PA . I have been there for 12 yrs.been a DA for 17 yrs
DAD: Tell me what you like best about your job
Blanquis26: I like the gratitude I get from a patient. ortho, lab work, designing cerec crownsb, best is going "fishing" oral surgery for root tips! Lol
DAD: How did you get into dental assisting?
Blanquis26: I was getting dental work done and my mom asked about dental assts,dentist said he was hiring & would train. I applied & wrked after school.
DAD: And how did you get into being the Twitter fiend you are (lol)?
Blanquis26: Started a blog after my divorce & was introduced 2 Twitter. It'll be a year in Dec. I'm a Twitterholic & proud of it.Like being silly on it.
DAD: You and I follow each other on Twitter. Do you do much else dental-related on Twitter?
Blanquis26: Not as much as I would like,have tweeted info before & answer friends dental questions. Should start DA Twitter acct so DAs can vent LOL =)
DAD: What are some things you would (or do) vent about?
Blanquis26: I would definitely vent about my bosses for sure!! LOL! I really do love both of them but they definitely give me a lot of reasons to vent.
DAD: Sounds like one thing you wouldn't vent about is making crowns on CEREC. What do you like so much about it?
Blanquis26: I love CEREC because a patient can walk away with a crown on the same day, but at the same time the appt time is long. I love to design it.
DAD: Tell me how free are you in your office to bring forward ideas you think will help the whole practice.
Blanquis26: Dr Dyer has put up w/ me for 12 yrs, so I know he values my ideas. Might have to fight him at times for him to c the reasoning behind them. … I am very free to bring ideas forward to benefit our office.
DAD: Awesome to hear. We talked about the title, "How Good of a Dental Assistant Are You?" for this chat. What makes a good DA?
Blanquis26: I believe that a good asst makes sure that a pt comes first. I am not afraid to discretely point out if the dentist I'm asst at the time... Has accidentally missed something. I make sure the patient understands the Dr and feels comfortable. A good asst, is one that takes ... Dental assisting as more than just a job. A good dental assistant has a voice and a heart.
DAD: I love that thought. What do you think those just entering the profession need to know about being a dental assistant?
Blanquis26: That anybody can be thought to be a dental assistant, it is up to you to become a good one. I temped at different dental offices on... My days off & made it my mission to learn as much as I could & perfect everything I did every time. I pushed myself,now Drs value my input
DAD: That is amazing to hear. I'm guessing you learned as much watching on your days off as you did working on your "on" days
Blanquis26: I definitely did. I learned that a high priced dentist doesn't make him a great dentist. I am very pleased with our Drs. I would never .... Work for a dentist I did not believe in. Our practice has heart, from the front office to the back office. Pts come 1st & I'm proud of that.
DAD: You blog. You tweet. You seem to love the Web. What are some of your favorite sites online?
Blanquis26: I love and follow www.GlobalPatriot.com I hope you follow him @GlobalPatriot Mark's site is about global awareness, he has a big heart... His past posts have been about doctors w/out borders and how social media could help with global awareness. I asked if I could place... His link on my blog, because I believe in it so much. I only follow sites that either move me or make me laugh. =)
DAD: Very cool. What is your blog site, and why do you blog?
Blanquis26: My site www.Blanquis.com and it's called "It's Blanquis World" childhood nickname pronounced Blankis. I blog as a form of meditation... In a way.I decided to live life to it's fullest after getting a divorce. Something I thought I would never do,it helps me & I LOVE feedback.
DAD: Last question, and then you're off the hook ... Any final thoughts you want to leave with our readers?
Blanquis26: Yes, that no matter how old you are, you should never stop learning. Knowledge is powerful and hmmm....oh yeah....don't forget to floss! LOL
