1. While writing your paper, what did you learn about the research process?

While
writing my paper, I learned many things about the field I am researching, dental hygiene.
Some things I already knew, such as the order a dental hygienist goes in to clean teeth, as
well as how many years a dental hygienist must go to school in order to qualify for a job
in the field. Although, I also learned many new things. As I did my paper, I learned all
about the tools that hygienists use as they clean patients teeth. Yes, I could recognize
them from when I go to the dentist and get my teeth cleaned, but I never knew what their
purpose were. Besides learning about tools in dental hygiene, I was also informed about
how dental hygiene and tools used in the field advanced throughout the years, starting in
7000 BC. Besides the advancement of oral health and dental tools, I was also informed
about the effects of not brushing, such as various gum diseases and tooth decay.

2. How was the research related to your mentor hours? The research I conducted for this
project was very similar to my mentor experience. Since completing research before
completing hours with my mentor, I knew a lot about the tools that were used. I was able
to answer questions that my mentor asked me because of the research I conducted prior to
the mentor hours. Although, even though I did conduct research on machinery used, such
as the x-ray machines, I learned even more about them. For example, I learned about the
Autoclave, which is a sanitizing machine used for the cleaning the tools after they are
used on the patient's. The Autoclave breaks debris off the tools and sterilizes them.
Besides not knowing a few things about the machines, I felt confident while working
with my mentor.

3. Summarize the mentor hours that you completed. For the mentor hours I completed,
the days were fairly similar. I went for a total of four days during the months of
November and December. On the first day, I was introduced to the techniques and tools
used by the hygienist. I observed her while she cleaned patient's teeth. On the second day,
I observed her work again, as well as watched Dr. Duncan, her boss, complete a cavity
filling on a patient. On the third day, I switched positions and worked with the computer.
Being a hygienist, not only do you have to work on patients and clean their teeth, but
you also have to work with the computer. On the computer system, I learned how to pull
up x-rays, determine where cavities are through X-rays, and send information to the front
desk. On the fourth day, I reviewed everything I completed and observed, and reviewed
what I did not originally understand, such as how to work with x-ray machines.

4. How did working with your mentor affect your understanding of the topic area and
/or the professional world? Working with my mentor affected my understanding of the
topic area in such a positive way. In junior year, as I completed the pride paper, I did
learn quite a few things about the field of dental hygiene. Although, I got a much better
 understanding learning hands on with my mentor. Watching her routine as she cleaned
patient's teeth helped me understand the importance of time management, the proper way
to use the tools and how to use the equipment efficiently. Going into mentoring, I was a
little skeptical about learning about the different machinery used, like x-ray machines.
My mentor assured me they were easy to use and showed me the proper way to operate
them. Also, observing my mentor work with patients and her daily schedule showed me
an insight on the professional world. Seeing her work throughout the day and talk about
her journey through school to achieve her license for hygiene showed me how much an
individual must work to achieve the occupation an individual wants.
a. If you mentor was not directly related to your topic, what did you learn
about the profession that can be translated to any future professional
setting? N/A
b. If your mentor contributed to the development of the product, how were they
involved? My mentor was involved in my product development, only to let me
borrow the tools I needed to succeed. My mentor lent me a replica of the mouth
and the tools she uses daily to clean an individual's teeth efficiently.

5. How did creating a product and completing the hours challenge you personally?
Completing a product was most definitely challenging, as well as the hours. My product
was conducting a lesson plan and teaching it to lower school kids. Creating a product
challenged me based on figuring out what to do with the kids so they not only learn, but
have fun while doing it. Also, presenting to the kids will challenge me personally based
on my fear of presenting. The mentor hours were challenging as well, as I used the
knowledge I learned from the research paper to successfully complete my hours.

6. Do you feel prepared academically and emotionally for the presentation?

Academically, I do feel prepared for the presentation. I am confident with the hours I
completed, the research I conducted and the product I finished. I worked with my mentor
for hours trying to perfect the product. Also, I studied the use of the tools many times so
if the judges ask what they are used for, I will know. For the presentation, emotionally, I
am skeptical. I do have a fear of presentations, as they make me very nervous. Although,
if I go into the room confidently, and try my best on the presentation I have been working
on for months, I will succeed in the presentation.
a. What challenges do you still face to feel prepared? Challenges that I still face
to feel prepared are definitely trying to face my fears of presenting. As I practice
my presentation, I become more confident in what I will say to the judges, but my
fear of presenting does hold me back a bit. Another challenge that I face is trying
to perfect my presentation. As I go through my project more and more, I always
 feel as if I am missing something. Although, as I add more information that
feeling begins to go away. Practicing has helped me prepare for the presentation.

7. How did the entire process stretch you as a learner and as an individual? The
entire process definitely stretched me as a learner and as an individual. I tried to pick
ideas with my product that would stretch my abilities. So, I picked a lesson plan to
teach to the lower school. I am always afraid to do a presentation to people my age, even
if I am with a group. So, going down to the lower school and teaching a whole class on
my own will cause me to face my fears and go above and beyond my comfort zone. Also,
I have never done a lesson plan before. Deciding what to put in the plan for students to
enjoy has been difficult, as I am used to creating high school level presentations.
Learning new equipment to teach to classes has been difficult for me as well, as I dont
want to teach the kids the wrong meaning of these tools.

8. Other than time management, describe an obstacle you encountered and how you
overcame it. An obstacle that I encountered while completing this project has been a fear
of speaking in front of a crowd. All my life I have had anxiety of speaking in front of
people, no matter how many people there are. Although, when I was planning my
product, I started to feel more comfortable. When I finally did the product, I was nervous
at first, but I ended up being very successful. I got more comfortable with talking in front
of the kids as I went, and I felt very prepared. When the presentation day comes, I will
feel more confident in my presentation skills. Since I overcame my speaking skills, when
it is time to present in college, I will feel prepared.

9. What life skills did you acquire and how will they help you in the future? A major
life skill that I have acquired while doing this project has been time management and
speaking in front of a crowd. I have learned time management through trial and error.
Errors that I made while trying to plan my time were the completion of my mentor hours.
I regret not doing the mentor hours during the summer because of planning the hours
around my brothers. Since my brothers are the same age as me, and I share a car with the
two of them, it was hard for me to plan when to do my hours. So, as the project went on, I
learned how important time management is to be successful in life. Also, I learned how
important it is to do well in school to be successful in your career. My mentor constantly
told me how important grades are, and in order to be as successful as possible, studying
and grades are important.

10. If you had to go back and do parts of the project again, what would you do
differently? If I had to go back and do parts of the project differently, I would have
completed my mentor hours during the summer. I regret not doing them during the
 summer because of the stress I had during the school year trying to plan out when to do
them. Also, it was very stressful trying to balance college applications and my mentor
hours. Not only was I trying to balance completing mentor hours and making time for
college applications, but also trying to work a schedule with my brothers as they had to
complete their mentor hours as well. We all share a car, so trying to align our schedules
so we can all mentor on the days needed was difficult. If I had completed the hours
during the summer, I would not have had to worry about the stress with college
applications and aligning schedules with my brothers.

11. Based on the entire Pride Project experience, do you plan to pursue this field as a
career or college area of study? If so, why? If not, why? Please be specific. In the
beginning of junior year, I was set on becoming a dental hygienist. This reason was
influenced on the experience my grandpa has with his teeth. He did not have the proper
influence to take care of his teeth, resulting in his teeth decaying. Since multiple of his
teeth decayed, he had to get dentures, which he has had for 20 years. Because of this, I
decided that I wanted to educate people on proper oral health. Although, after completing
this project with the research, the mentor hours, the product and the presentation, I have
decided that this field might not be right for me. Since completing my mentor hours, I
realized dental hygienists relatively do the same things every day, which is not something
I wanted to do. Hygienists must do the same routine with the patients before the cleaning
begins, during and after. Doing the same thing multiple times does not interest me, as I
originally thought the field was the best option for me.