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oxo) am el=)saVmel>)al(elmex-lalic= 238 Queen St.- Port Perry - 905-985-8451 AANA len aan ce(cialicimerelan Meet Angela Laird 4 Angela Laird describes her dual career as “very rewarding.” For 15 years, she a Registered De jienist at Port Perry Dental Centre. As a Clinical Instructor, she also teaches students in the dental hygiene program at Durham College, where they work on their patients at the in-school dental clinic. Years ago, when Angela was contemplating her career path i in erent hea care fields; she decided to work with healthy patients, instead of those who perfect choice. Her job goe: your teeth are spark lean. Hygienists are also trained to detect gai, pest disease, tooth decay and even cancer. There are also links between oral health, diabetes and heart disease. Prevention of problems and patient education, is an important part of her role, Angela pointed out. “Dental hygienists are often the first people in the dental office to look into yen mouth,” she explained. Important steps can be taken to prevent or stop the progression of disease by detecting problems or Drv. He ardy infections. Each patient is treated with personal treatment plans that are decal to suit each patient's individual needs. “Every day is interesting,” Angela says. “No two mouths are alike.” Aesthetics are also important in the dental field today, Angela noted. People want whiter teeth, and straighter teeth. There's a lot of information available, and part of her job is to streamline accurate information and communicate that to the patient. Asa hygienist, her patients have ranged in age from senior citizens to babies, whose parents were concerned about the health of their first teeth due to consuming bottles of juice, or the appearance of an eruption cyst, for examples. “I take a peek, and tell them whats going on,” " she says. As well from taki id f all of her patients, Angela has enjoyed her position as an educator at Durham College for the past 10 years. “Itis a continuous top of information,” she commented. = ia blessed to be able to work and live in a community with people | =) i\° ‘says Angela, who has been a resident of Port Perry for 25 years. Its = a. ree husband ‘Stephen’ 's hometown, and a great place to raise their kids, Madeline, 12, and Nolan, nine and a half years old. Angela and her vada husband Stephen enjoy giving back to their community as volunteers. = Angela volunteers on the School Community Council at R.H. Cornish Dr J. jeenberd as a Board Member and Coach with the Port Perry Minor Hockey Association. The whole family is very Dr. E. King t active in sports, and health and is fitness conscious. Angela, who - Orthodontist mountain bikes with the kids, is even training for a half marathon. b Her employer has always been very flexible with her schedule, Dr. M. Dhillon and she worked part-time instead of full-time, following her - Periodontist maternity leave. “Port Perry Dental Centre is an amazing employer,” she enthused. “It's a great place to work and | love it!” Dr. J. Cottrell fas the Dr. C. Banfield FOCUS - SEPTEMBER 2015 21