During the past few weeks, sports fans have been debating "SpyGate." For my readers who are not familiar with ESPN, during week 1 of the NFL season, the New England Patriots had a member of their video crew removed from the sideline during the game. League officials confiscated tapes and had them sent to the league office for review.
The NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, investigated and determined that the Patriots were in violation of league rules when he determined they videotaped Jets coaches relaying defensive signals onto the field. The Patriots and their coach, Bill Belichick, were fined three-quarters of a million dollars and at least one draft pick will be stripped from the New England Patriots as punishment for the team's violation of sideline video recording rules.
Current headlines always make me think, "Sweet! This relates to dental hygiene."
Imagine, if you will, that you had a video camera or cameras mounted in your operatory. The doctor, teammates, and/or your patients would view the video feed. All of your daily actions or inactions would be recorded and held up for analysis.
This scenario becomes based in reality and increasingly feasible when you consider the fascination with reality TV, the volumes of network news teams airing undercover exposés and the increasing personal videotaping of neighbor video cam or "watch dog" campaigning.
Many of us break down, disinfect, and set-up our own hygiene room. Would a spy cam show any corner cutting when it comes to infection control? How about the 10-second rule when it comes to a saliva ejector or prophy paste that falls to the floor? Do you throw it away or use it?
Would the video clips reveal that all patients receive a head and neck oral cancer screening, blood pressure readings, updated radiographs, six-point full mouth probing, and all patients are enrolled in their needed restorative treatment plan?
What would the film tell us about your communication style? Are you a chatty Cathy who is always behind because you are discussing your latest move or your pets? Or does it reveal that you triangulate and talk badly about teammates or patients? Or do you have a tendency to undermine the doctor you work with and perhaps do not support or validate his/her treatment options?
For sports fans, the "SpyGate," story will be a popular topic of discussion for this football season.
The punishment for dental hygienists violating the standard of care, lack of appropriate record keeping, or being seen as unprofessional would not necessarily cause us to pay a fine. It would cause us to limit our professional abilities and dampen our outlook on dental hygiene. Being less than we know we can be is the foundation that "burn-out," is built on.
My wish for you is to practice dental hygiene as if you are under the scrutiny of a video camera. Perform at your highest level, connect with every patient, and bring your "A" game every day, all day.
Go Pats!!
Kristine A. Hodsdon, RDH, BS
Director, RDH eVillage
