SDA welcomes new dental hygienist

Lori DeMaine is a well-traveled woman. The Seventh-day Adventist Clinic’s new dental hygienist was born in the South American country of Colombia.  From there, she has lived in New York City where she grew up, and San Diego, California where she attended college.  But it was one month in Ecuador that made the biggest impact.

“During my senior year in college, I spent one month in Ecuador on a health mission,” she explains.  “It is one of the greatest things anyone can do.” She recounts the impoverished conditions of many of the villages she visited.  Oftentimes, there was no running water, no sewer systems, no paved roads.  “To go in to that situation and share health education,” says Ms. DeMaine searching for the words to describe the rewarding experience.
“It touches you and you end up receiving rather than giving.”

After the trip to Ecuador, Ms. DeMaine finished her dental schooling at Loma Linda University.  “I worked as a dental assistant all through school, so I actually have 12 years of working experience in the field,” she says.  Equipped with a four-year degree, she began working as registered dental hygienist (RDH).  There’s a big difference between a dental assistant and a dental hygienist,” she notes.  “It involves a rather rigorous academic and clinical program from a four-year school, along with all the examinations for licensure,” she explains.

A few years later, she paid a visit to her alma mater for an alumni luncheon.  One of the guest speakers was SDA’s Dr. Richard Ludders who announced an opening for a dental hygienist on the faraway island of Saipan.
 Ms. DeMaine was intrigued.  “Life in California was too perfect,” she laughs.  “I needed a fresh challenge.”  A few months later, she was on her way to the Northern Mariana Islands.  Ms. DeMaine says she already loves life on Saipan.  “It’s such an interesting mixture of people and despite the weather, I might even take up gardening.”

Dr. Ludders couldn’t be happier with having Ms. DeMaine on his staff.  “Having Lori at the Seventh-day Adventist Clinic gives us Saipan’s only RDH with a Bachelor of Science degree,” notes Dr. Ludders.  “We’re really looking forward to having her around for a long time.”

When it comes to her work, Ms. DeMaine employs a philosophy of gentleness: “Quality care in a gentle manner” is her mantra.  As part of SDA’s on-going efforts to educate the public about health matters, one aspect of Ms. DeMaine’s job calls on her to make community presentations about proper dental hygiene.
 While others may be averse to such an employment requirement, it certainly isn’t the case with Ms. DeMaine.  “I love that part!” she says enthusiastically.  “Seriously, in the past, I did community education stuff for free, during my weekends.  Education is the best part of my job.”  Then she pauses and comes up with a second mantra: “Prevention through education. It’s the reason I became a dental hygienist.”