I would like to thank Howard Notgarnie for commenting on my article, "Habits of Effective Offices" in the May issue of the RDH e-Village newsletter. I appreciate any reader's comments, both positive and negative in regards to any material. However, I would like to clarify a statement.
Howard comments on the fact that my statement in the article was that the "dentist doctor" should be the one making the mission statement. In reality, the "business owner," whomever that may be, is the person responsible for making the mission statement of any business. When writing for a newsletter, it is often difficult to imply everything that is intended. When I used doctor in this sense, I meant the business owner of the practice. In reality, I have even known hygienists and other dental team members who have actually helped write the practice's mission statement with their employer(s).
Additionally, I am 110 percent behind the fact that hygienists should be co-therapists and colleagues with dentists and in no way did my writings imply that hygienists should be considered "sub servants" to dentists. Whenever I discuss the doctor/hygienist relationship, I use the term, hygienist working "with", rather than hygienist working "for" the dentist. Using the paternalistic terminology "for" will never enhance the goals of seeing the dental hygienist become a true professional.
I hope that this clarifies comments made. Again, I appreciate any input from readers and look forward to continued dialogue.
Ann-Marie DePalma, RDH, MEd, FAADH
