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[meagancda]

Chats with fellow classmates

            I recently had the opportunity to chat with a fellow classmate/learning partner for this part of my PIDP 3100 course. Together we talked about trends in our specific fields. It was very interesting talking with someone with a completely different field of expertise than myself. My partner comes from a trades background which is entirely different from that of myself as a healthcare professional. I was fascinated to learn that trades had to shift a lot of training during the Covid-19 pandemic to be online. Learning how to showcase tasks online proved difficult not only for new employees entering the workforce but for veteran employees now learning all the added technology. We also discussed many parallels in that some things that went remote or non-existent in practice during the pandemic were able to be reintroduced in new and improved ways. Changes in technology in both our fields was also discussed and how we maintain the continuing education to stay ahead in our workforce's.  

We also discussed adult education in the form of how we deliver course material to students. The differences in teaching adults vs children. Presentation and structuring of lessons properly to keep our students engaged. Introducing an activity during our lessons may aid in better learning. We also discussed the different learning theories we have been studying and which we chose to write about for a previous assignment and why. This experience was very helpful and I was glad to chat to someone else going thru the same course as myself as well as being new to the world of academics again.  

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Trends in Adult Education

Adult education is a field that has seen significant growth and change over the past several decades. With the rise of technology, the changing nature of work, and an aging population, the need for life-long learning has never been greater. One of the most recent trends in adult education is the shift towards online learning. With the ease of use of the internet, more and more people are turning to online courses to further their education. Online learning offers several advantages for adult learners, including flexibility, and convenience, the ability to learn at one’s own pace, and access to a wider range of courses and programs. However, is also presents some challenges, such as lack of face-to-face interaction and the need for self-motivation and time management skills.

Online learning as become even more prevalent with the COVID-19 pandemic, as more students and educators have had to adapt to remote learning environments. Implications for online learning have emerged, instructors will see an increased demand, an even greater demand for flexibility, a greater focus of digital literacy, and more personalized learning experiences. We as instructors can help some of these implications by putting in place more hybrid learning systems that have both online and in person aspects. This gives instructors several benefits, increased flexibility, more personalized learning, improved access, enhanced engagement, cost effectiveness, and preparedness for remote learning. Educators can keep up these emerging trends by; Keep up to date with technology, collaborate with other educators, engage with students, develop flexible strategies, and emphasize soft skills.

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Trends as a Certified Dental Assistant

The fast pace world of dentistry and dental assisting is always changing. As a unique and integral part of our healthcare system it has to be very adaptable in everything from technology, to art, to patient communication.

The technology involved in dentistry is always changing and progressing. From film to digital x-rays, to 3D printers and scanners in place of older methods and technology such as chairside intraoral impressions. CDAs must always keep up with the continuing education and training it takes to master these always changing advances. Materials used in dentistry are evolving as well, from less use of amalgam silver fillings to more esthetic composite white fillings. Full gold crowns are being replaced with zirconia or ceramic crowns that are printed chairside while the patient is in the office. Paper hand written charting has been replaced with fully digital computerized charting.

Another one of the biggest ways dentistry was impacted over the last 3 years, especially, was the Covid 19 pandemic. This included enhanced infection control protocols, patient screening and personal protective equipment.  Luckily, as dental professionals, the training in infection control has always been a high standard so dentistry as whole was ahead of other healthcare professions and as a result in office transmission remained low.

Lastly, Certified Dental Assistants are also being utilized in managerial positions to aid in better patient treatment planning and coordinating. This is to aid in better patient acceptance of treatment plans when it’s being done from more of a clinical background. More acceptance of treatment means more revenue for the primary practitioner (the dentist), which means more steady work for everyone in the office.

In conclusion, these trends in dental assisting will aid how instructors at supporting institutions teach and manage new students coming into practice so they too can become successful in this profession as a whole.

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About me

I’m Meagan

Welcome to my page!

I have been a Certified Dental Assistant for 17 years and counting. I graduated from UFV in 2006 and haven’t looked back. I currently work in a busy family practice in Abbotsford, BC

I am responsible for many tasks as a dental assistant. I work directly with the dentist for all procedures like restorations and fillings, crown and bridge work, x-rays and treatment planning. I am also responsible for overseeing the day to day flow of the office including sterilization and infection control throughout the day.

I am extremely lucky to have gained amazing mentorship and training during my time as a CDA. Now I’m hoping to put the skills I have earned in my field to instructing others.

I recently started my road the earn my PIDP to make my instructing dreams come true. Join me on this journey where I hope to learn even more along the way

Photo credit D.Purewal/Dr David Lim family dentistry

This work is part of CC Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDervatives 4.0 International license

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This work is licensed under a #Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International ( CC BY-NC-NO 4.0 )