HCA 205 Week 2 Discussion 2 A Day in the Life

Sample Answer

1. Dental Hygienists.

Dental hygienists are licensed medical practitioners who work closely with dentists and dental assistants in a dentists’ office (Chapter 4, N.d.). Primarily, hygienists work to examine patients for the presence of oral diseases. This situation enables them to provide ailing patients with preventive care to allow them to exude optimum oral health (Chapter 4, N.d.). Also, they educate their patients about the methods that they can use to maintain or improve their oral health (Chapter 4, N.d.).

2. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW).

These individuals are licensed clinical social workers are who work in diverse setups including hospitals, mental health clinics, private practice, schools, and social service (Chapter 4, N.d.). Primarily, they provide a wide array of health services to people experiencing trauma and life challenges such as child adoption or terminal illness at every stage of their ordeal (Chapter 4, N.d.). Also, they work to support vulnerable societal groups including children, geriatrics, disabled persons, and the homeless by ensuring they have access to critical necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, and security (Chapter 4, N.d.).

Dental hygienists often begin a typical day by examining their scheduled patient charts to ascertain the necessary preventive treatment for different patients. After that, they proceed to meet with the rest of the staff to brief them on the help that they might need to ensure the day runs well and that patients receive a high quality of care. Afterward, they then set up their treatment rooms to ensure that they have all the resources they need for the adequate treatment of their patients.

In running their day, critical issues may arise when dental hygienists confront a patient who refuses to take an x-ray for fear of the potential harm the radiation poses to their health. Also, they may encounter a crisis when their patients in exercising their autonomy choose a treatment option that threatens to impede their long-term wellness. In regards to LCSW, they often begin their day with a staff meeting to get insight on their roles for the day. After that, they proceed to meet with their patients in their diverse settings to offer continual help in dealing with their social problems.

Moreover, they may also provide diagnosis and treatment services to patients who exude severe emotional or mental issues to help them cope with their predicaments. In running their day, the primary critical issue that LCSW may face includes a lack of ready access to assist in dealing with strife especially amongst patients in rural areas. Also, they may encounter problems in maintaining patient confidentiality in situations where the problem under treatment is out of their scope. This situation may impede their efforts to form trusting relations with their patients.
Chapter 4. (N.d.). Healthcare Personnel.