Hi, I’m Amanda! I’m the writer here at Amanda R McHenry, Freelance Writer. I probably didn’t need to explain that. I bet you’re smart enough to have already figured that bit out. I’m also a freelance dental hygienist. You didn’t know there was such a thing? Well, if you stick around long enough, I have a blog post in the works about it!
I grew up in the midwest but have lived in Colorado for the last four years. I never thought I would adjust to living out in the open like this, but I love Colorado and enjoy every second we spend here. I have been married to the same man for 22 years, and I have not murdered him. We have two remarkable dogs. Tigré turned eight in February, and Winston turned four in January. I know I'm biased, but these are some of the best dogs that have ever walked this earth.
Tigré is a boxer/Australian cattle dog mix adopted from the ASPCA in Fort Wayne, IN. The story they gave was that he was surrendered by a man who simply had too many dogs. If I ever meet this man, my only question will be, "How good were your other dogs that THIS was the dog you gave up???" And then I will punch him for being so stupid. Seriously. How do you give up a dog this good, handsome, sweet, and smart? Sure, he is likely on the Doggy Autism Spectrum, and you have to make pretty specific arrangements if you intend to leave a space without him, and you BETTER NOT EVER touch his tail. But still.
Winston was adopted in true Colorado fashion: from a foster program at a brewery in the foothills. He was billed as a "hound mix." He was about six months old when we got him, and according to the paperwork we were given, he weighed 35.6 lbs at the time. As he continued to grow and change, his standout breeds became more apparent: Great Dane and Greyhound. His greatest strengths include jumping six-foot fences, cowering at every appliance that goes "BEEP," and spending twenty-two hours of every day in bed, buried under the covers no matter how hot it may be.
Enough about them; let's get back to me. I graduated from Illinois Central College in 2010 as a newly minted Dental Hygienist. I was my school's Hu Friedy Golden Scaler Award recipient that year. "This award is presented annually…to students who have demonstrated remarkable skill and talent over the course of their classes. Golden Scaler Students have the special "golden touch" that will serve them well as they begin their new career in dental hygiene. The award is a testament to their achievement."
Amanda with her Father and Husband on Pinning Day, 2010
Hu Friedy Golden Scaler Award
Their words, not mine. I have an actual 24-carat gold-plated Gracey curette embedded in glass that I received along with the respect (envy) of my peers. This award meant a lot to me when I received it, but it hasn't made any actual difference in my career. In nearly fourteen years, I have yet to encounter any dental hygiene emergencies that would necessitate my breaking that glass for the scaler inside. But I keep it nearby just in case. At my home, of course, as there are plenty of other scalers to use at work.
I have worked in private practice my entire career. Being married to a nomad, I have relocated multiple times since graduating college. I have lived and worked in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and now Colorado. As a result, I have worked in my fair share of dental offices. These ran the gamut from the tiny single-doctor practice to the three-story, fifteen-doctor, seventy-employee conglomeration. By the way, that last practice was also single-doctor owned. And the story of his rise and fall is worth telling. You’ll have to wait for that one, but I’ll leave you with a solid piece of advice: blind faith in your office manager is a terrible business plan.
Having the opportunity to work with so many brilliant dental professionals throughout my career with their extensive knowledge and skill sets has been an enormous boon to my professional development. I genuinely believe I wouldn't be the hygienist I am today without all of the input I have received from such an eclectic group of experts.
Working directly with periodontists, oral surgeons, endodontists, myofunctional therapists, and orthodontists throughout my career has added to the wide range of experiences that I plan to share here. I am also one of the lucky hygienists who still loves what they do, even after fifteen years. If I can help another hygienist find a love for their career again, it will have all been worth it. More fulfilled, happy, engaged hygienists in the field is exactly what we need right now.
Until my next post, I hope you all seek to find a bit of joy in whatever it is you spend your days doing. If you have a topic you'd like to see covered or have any other reason to communicate with me, including starting a debate regarding Taylor Swift's best album, you can find all the ways to annoy me and endear yourself to me here.
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Just wanted to say I enjoyed reading your life experiences and adventures so far. You have always been such a happy carefree young lady and have accomplished so much. I always enjoy seeing the beautiful picture you post and the adventures you delight in. Bye for now and hope to see more in the future.
Amanda I love this.
I am so proud of you !
Can't wait to read more! Love the shout out to your previous employer ;)