One of the perks of being a member of RDHAP Connect is being featured in a member spotlight on our website and social media pages. Today we’re spotlighting Stephanie De Leon, RDHAP.
Tell us a little about yourself. Where is your practice? Where did you attend dental hygiene school and take your RDHAP training?
Hi, my name is Stephanie De Leon, RDHAP. I am currently opening my practice in Big Bear, California. I also go to skilled nursing facilities, patients’ homes, and memory care. I travel to Imperial County and San Bernardino County to see patients. I attended dental hygiene school at Loma Linda University and graduated in 2015, and I went to West Los Angeles for my RDHAP in 2021. I also am a Dental Assisting instructor at Chaffey College since 2015 where I graduated from dental assisting in 2012. I’ve been in the dental field for 12 years now. I’ve worked at a children’s dental practice, general dental practices, and at Chaffey College. Now I am able to work for myself.
What made you decide to become an RDHAP? I was one of many students who would sign up for all the health events that the schools offered. I love public health, so when I am able to give back to the community I am all in. Once I saw that an RDHAP could educate and help people who are not able to go into regular dental offices, I wanted to look into it more. Then I asked myself… what happens to my patients who no longer come because of their health issues? I was in a place in my career where I wanted to give back and grow. It got me thinking of my patients and signed up for the program at West Los Angeles.
What type of RDHAP practice do you have? Do you practice where the patients live, work, or go to school? Do you have a free-standing office? I have both a mobile and a standing office. I am hoping to open my office in January 2025. I started my career as an RDHAP at a skilled nursing facility in Big Bear. I then was able to help patients with special needs in their homes, and once I got a bit more experience a fellow RDHAP recommended me to another Skilled nursing facility. I’ve been doing that for two years now, I decided to open my office when I went to speak to the schools in Big Bear. The schools were interested in what I do for the community but wanted me to have a location instead. This gives the children a place where their parents are able to speak with me and reach out to me. Opening my office will hopefully make it easier to get referrals from the schools so the kids can come after school or on weekends for Preventative care.
What do you do if you find your dental hygiene patient needs to see a dentist for care? In Skilled nursing facilities, I do see a lot of patients who need extractions. These patients have a hard time moving around and their hygiene care is not the best. Finding mobile dentist is really hard so this is something that I would like for RDHAPs to do in the future.
How do your patients pay for your services? I am a Medi-Cal provider and Delta Dental. I also offer affordable preventative care. I want my patients to be able to afford a healthy smile.
Once you complete their dental hygiene care, then what? In a skilled nursing facility, I refer them to a dentist if they have something going on. In the office, I have a dentist I will be referring to and low-cost dental clinics if needed. I do have patients who do not want to see the dentist because of how far the office is down the mountain, so I put that down on my notes and I do let them know they will need to have a Doctor or a Dentist check-up every two years. I educate them on the importance of seeing a dentist.
Is there anything else you would like to share with patients, family members, or other health professionals who care for people who can’t care for themselves? Dental Hygienists in Alternative Practice is a great way to introduce dental care to patients. When opening my practice I kept telling myself “I want to be the first step in getting a patient’s teeth back to health “
We are the foundation and having good oral hygiene will make dental treatment succeed and patients will take care of their teeth more by knowing the importance or real hygiene care.
Find Stephanie online:
Instagram
We thank Stephanie De Leon for sharing her experience and practice with us!
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