Ashley Bradshaw

About Ashley Bradshaw

I am a very enthusiastic person who loves connecting with my patients. One of the main…

Experience

1. Registered Dental Hygienist

   Des Moines Dental Group

   Jan 2021 — Present · Des Moines, IA, US

   I have come across multiple opportunities to care for people with severe dental anxiety. One of my favorite things about my current occupation is being able to change peoples’ perception about one of the most feared places to visit in the US. I had one instance in particular where this patient had a moderately drastic reaction in the lobby and was about to walk out of the office because he was thrown off guard when he wasn’t informed prior to his appointment that he’d have a new hygienist due to his previous one retiring. He had told me the last time his hygienist was switched on him that he hadn’t come in to the dentist for 4 years. I listened to him and validated his concerns, and I apologized for the lack of communication. I also helped educate him on the risks of him avoiding his cleaning, especially since it’s recommended for him to come in on shorter intervals due to having bone loss. I helped calm him down to the point where he made the decision on his own to come back to the chair. During the appointment, I helped him feel like he was in control and gave him a relaxing patient experience. At the end of the appointment he had thanked me for my humanity not only in the chair, but in the lobby. He appreciated that I let him have an emotional reaction without devaluing his concerns, and he said he could tell that I actually really cared. I make sure my patients know that it’s a judgement free zone, encourage them to not get overwhelmed, and let them know it’s okay for them to have grace with themselves for not knowing the importance of taking care of their teeth. Like I tell them, “It’s not your fault that you don’t know what you don’t know”, and that I’m here to help inform them and get them in the direction they want / need to be in.