14 thoughts on “JOURNAL # 14

  1. My major is dental hygiene. You need a total of 40 credits. The program is a four year program to earn your bachelors degree. You get to practice at the on campus clinic and the dental simulation lab. The most interesting part of this major is its direct link to overall health and the uniqueness of each persons teeth. I am also interesting in learning the diseases and bacteria. Some challenges I see are the high cost for equipment, the heavy workload at the Portland campus, exams and clinics. Beyond this program challenges I see are bending over and standing over patients for a long period of time (back pain/neck strain). Dealing with anxious or uncooperative patients. I am aiming for this career path and maybe finding a program that does botox too. I did not discover anything new about this career.

  2. My major is Occupational Studies 3+2 MSOT. I need a total of 40 credits to graduate as an undergraduate. This program encompasses a lot in a short amount of time. While I’m getting my undergraduate degree, I will also be working towards my master’s. The program incorporates in-class learning, as well as fieldwork. The most interesting part of my major is the ever-changing ways to help patients, i.e., assistive technology. Some challenges I see in my future are the course load as I continue my education. Another challenge is going to be the transition from the Biddeford campus to the Portland campus junior year summer. My dream career path is to become an occupational therapist. I don’t have a specific desire like pediatrics or working with older individuals. I have considered minoring in assistive technology because technology is continuing to change (for the better), and being able to have a hand in it would advance me in my future.

  3. When becoming a dental hygienist, you have to be able to clean teeth, take x-rays, provide patient care, and prevent cavities. In the dental field, it’s very hands on. Understanding the different instruments and oral cancer screenings is necessary. Being a hygienist isn’t just cleaning teeth; they are also educators. Informing the patient on how to partake on oral care techniques. How to brush, floss, prevent gum disease, or recession. To become a dental hygiene major with a bachelor’s degree, you need to have at least 120 credits. The most interesting part of my major is being able to work one on one with a patient. I like the idea of being able to perform dental cleaning, get the rooms ready, and be able to work under a dentist’s supervision. A future challenge for me would be able to maintain a patient connection. When I go to the dentist, the people there are always ready to create a conversation. I want to make sure that my future patients feel comfortable under treatment. That would be my main concern. When it comes to other career paths, I was considering it would be a dentist. This would be another four years of schooling. Becoming a dentist would mean being the boss of the office. Doing fillings, extractions, or implants is something a dentist would be able to perform. In my major, dental hygiene, I was recommended not to take part in any minors. My advisor said that it would be unnecessary classes for me therefore I do not have a minor. As of right now, getting my bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene is what my focus is here at UNE, although down the line I would consider going to dental school.

  4. My major is dental hygiene, which is a four-year program that requires 40 credits to complete for a bachelor’s degree. I’ve always wanted to become a dental hygienist, but before coming to college, I honestly had no idea how to get started or what the process looked like. Since joining the program, I’ve learned so much more about what the career actually involves and how big of a role oral health plays in overall well-being.
    What really interests me about dental hygiene is how everyone’s mouth and teeth are different, and how small details can say a lot about someone’s health. I’m also excited to start working in the on-campus clinic and dental simulation lab; it feels like the best way to get real experience and see what the job is actually like. Some challenges I expect are the high cost of equipment, the heavy workload once I’m based at the Portland campus, and balancing exams and clinical hours. I also know that standing or bending over patients for long periods can be physically tough, and it might take patience to work with people who are nervous about dental care. Even so, I’m motivated to push through those challenges because I know this career will be rewarding. My goal is to build strong skills in dental hygiene and eventually explore opportunities that combine oral health with aesthetics or cosmetic treatments.

  5. My major is Dental Hygiene, a four year program that spends two years attending school on the Biddeford UNE campus, and two years on the Portland UNE campus, 40 credits in all. I transferred to UNE as a Sophomore so I am only attending the Biddeford Campus for one year and the Portland campus the next two years, and I completed a portion of my credits last year at a different school, online, and in high school. The two first years of the Dental Hygiene major consist of pre-requisites (ex – Biology, Chemistry, etc) just your basic core classes. Once you meet your pre-requisites you go to the Portland campus where you are focusing on your major. Junior year you begin by getting to know your instruments, terms, and sterilization. During the Spring semester of your Junior year you begin working in clinic with patients, putting what you have learned to use. Senior year you become more independent and continue learning new things and begin to study for finals and boards. You learn anesthesia, radiology, and so much more. Since I was little I have been interested in teeth, I always enjoyed going to the dentists office and I wanted braces so bad and just was interested overall. In middle school I begin to think that maybe I would want to be a dental hygienist in the future. I really want to be a Dental Hygienist to make people happy with their smile, provide them care and advice, and also to give people a good relationship with their teeth and attending the dentists office. As far as challenges ahead, I am a little worried that I will have a hard time learning all of the dental hygiene stuff, and also I am also worried about finding an office to work at, especially because most places to do provide health insurance for their employees. As far as career path I would like to work in a nice small office and provide care for all ages. As far as minors I would consider minoring in business in lieu of potentially starting my own dental hygiene office, but thats not really my goal as of now.

  6. My major is dental hygiene. As a dental hygiene major at UNE it is required 40 credits. Dental hygiene is a lot about patient care that requires clean teeth, examine gums, and educate patients. Things we have to learn in school are things like Teeth cleanings, Sealants and fluoride treatments, X-rays, Charting and patient assessments. This major was interesting to me as I find it important for me to have a career that involves helping people. I also enjoy science and health so this fit for me best and continues to help me learn about my interest. I also find it very interesting that dental hygienist can be independent. This is so I can have more control over my own work and what I do. I will be able to work without a dentist in the room and be like my own boss. Overall it gives more freedom and flexibility that I feel is interesting to me. Challenges for me ahead are just getting through school. I know as I dive deeper into my major it becomes harder with many test after school as well to be registered through the state. These are the struggles I am worried about most. I have not considered any minors with this major as I just want to directly jump into what I want to do, Which is dental hygiene.My major is Dental Hygiene, which at UNE requires 40 credits to complete. Dental hygiene focuses on patient care, which involves cleaning teeth, examining gums, and educating patients about oral health. In this program, we learn skills such as performing teeth cleanings, applying sealants and fluoride treatments, taking X-rays, and charting and assessing patients. This major is interesting to me because I find it important to have a career that allows me to help people. I’ve always enjoyed science and health, so dental hygiene is a perfect fit that continues to grow my interests in those areas. I also find it interesting that dental hygienists can work independently. Having the opportunity to control my own work, set my own schedule, and even work without a dentist present sounds exciting to me. It provides freedom and flexibility, which I find very appealing.I know there will be challenges ahead, especially as the program becomes more difficult and I prepare for the state exams to become a registered dental hygienist. These are the parts I’m most nervous about. I haven’t considered adding a minor, as I want to focus fully on what I’m most passionate about becoming a dental hygienist.

  7. My major is Dental Hygiene, and you need about 40 credits. You spend 2 years on the Biddeford campus and then the other 2 in Portland. The program is a four year program to earn your bachelors degree. You get to practice at the on campus clinic and the dental simulation lab. The most interesting part about this major for me is the clinical practice and community health component, getting hands-on experience with patients, applying knowledge of anatomy, radiology, and preventive oral health in real settings. Also, I find the leadership, ethics, and interprofessional collaboration aspects compelling because they expand the role beyond “just cleaning teeth” and into broader health-care and public-health impact. The challenges I see ahead are balancing the heavy course load and making sure I maintain strong grades. And in the future another challenge I see is when I get into the actual fieldwork, standing for too long and bending over patients because I have scoliosis and I get really bad back pain. I’m aiming for this career path to maybe get into Dental school.

  8. My major is dental hygiene. For this specific program, you need 40 credits. This program entails. This program entails us with a bachelors degree, in which we learn how to perform teeth cleanings, educate, give x-rays, a much more. For me, the most interesting part about my major is the fact that I get to help and serve people. I love making people feel confident, especially with their smile. Some challenges I see ahead are definitely issues with some patient care. It is possible for me to run into conflicts where a patient can be uncomfortable and I will have to work around them to make sure they feel safe and secure with my care. Also, to get to this step, another challenge is taking some rigorous courses like anatomy and pathophysiology, and more. Ultimately, I think in the future I am just aiming to be a dental hygienist. Because of this, I do not see myself having any minors because I really want to focus specifically on this career path.

  9. My major is Dental Hygiene and Dental Hygiene focuses on the study of oral health and the prevention and treatment of oral diseases. As a student in this program, I learn how to help patients maintain healthy teeth and gums through cleanings, exams, and education about proper oral care. My major combines science, health, and hands-on clinical practice to prepare me for careers as licensed dental hygienists. Courses typically include subjects like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, nutrition, and dental materials. I will also gain experience working in dental clinics, where they practice skills such as removing plaque and tartar, taking X-rays, applying fluoride, and educating patients on brushing and flossing etc. I personally am working to get my bachelors and that is 4 years of schooling at UNE and I will need to complete 40 credits overall before graduating. Dental hygiene is a rewarding field because it allows you to promote overall health and build relationships with patients while working in a professional healthcare environment. Graduates can work in private dental offices, public health programs, schools, hospitals, or research settings. As a UNE student in Dental Hygiene I will spend 2 years on the Biddiford campus and then spend my last 2 years on the portland campus, where I will handle much more hands-on activities and classes. I am looking forward to seeing where this field takes me!

  10. For a dental hygiene major, 40 credits are needed. In general terms, the dental hygiene program entails students to learn about oral hygiene, radiology, and the overall human body to effectively prevent and treat dental issues. The most interesting part of this major to me is the fact that understanding and catching dental issues can actually help prevent other bodily long-term issues. I see a lot of challenges within my college journey for my major; being in a health major requires more difficult classes, and I worry about falling behind. I am aiming to be a dental hygienist in the future, but am also thinking about potentially getting my master’s in order to become a dental therapist, which is basically a “dental practitioner” (a dental hygienist that can do some smaller oral surgeries). I have considered both a creative writing minor and a photographer minor, but I’m not sure if I’ll pursue either in the near future because I’m worried it’ll take up time that I don’t have.

  11. My major is psychology. Technically, I am still a pre-pharmacy major, but I have recently decided to switch into psychology, which will be official next semester. I decided to switch my major because I didn’t feel passionate about pharmacy the way I do about helping people through a psychology major. I need 45 credits to graduate. It is a 4-year program with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. The program entails a comprehensive study of human behavior and mental processes through the core courses and hands-on experiences. I do not foresee any challenges in the future with this degree. I am aiming for a career path in helping people with mental health issues, such as becoming a therapist or a social worker. I plan on minoring in mental health rehabilitation, and I might minor in gender, women, and sexuality studies. So I can gain more knowledge in those fields.

  12. My major is marine science. I applied here for the 4+1 program, but ultimately decided on graduating a year early rather than a year later. My major has 40 required credits and my concentration (marine bio) has 8 required credits (which could be up to 3 classes). My program focuses on the intersection of policy, biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental justice (conservation). I have considered minors in public health, policy, and chemistry, all of which would aid me in choosing a career path. With policy, I would be able to work at the intersection of marine science, conservation, and oceanic policy, which would be beneficial in a government or legislative role. With chemistry, I would be able to focus on the chemical composition of marine science and conservation, like the chemical aspect of ocean acidification and how to combat it. Additionally, I will be pursuing a masters after I graduate in either marine bioscience, which is a broader focus of both biology and science, or microbiology, which would focus on microorganisms like plankton. I am undecided on my main long-term goal, but for now I am focused on graduating early and taking as many classes as I can to get the knowledge necessary to solidify my career plans.

  13. My major is medical Biology and it consists of tons of science based classes like Chemistry, Biology, physics and anatomy. It’s a four year program and it’s through the Biddeford campus. This major sparks my interest because I love learning about the human body, and how life continues to occur. My future goal is medical school and that’s the main reason I chose medical Bio as my major. It keeps me on top of my studies and requires a ton of attention to detail and focus. These skills will help me outside of the classroom too , and will make me a better overall person. At times it is challenging and frustrating , but it’s all apart of the process of learning something new, and challenging.

  14. my major is dental hygiene, and it’s a four year program that adds up to 40 credits by the time you’re done with the bachelor’s. i’ve wanted to be a dental hygienist for as long as i can remember, but before college i had zero clue where to even start or what the whole process actually looked like. now that i’m in the program, i’ve realized there’s way more to this field than just cleaning teeth because oral health affects pretty much everything
    what keeps me interested is how different everyone’s mouth is and how the tiniest details can tell you so much about a persons overall health. i’m also really excited to get into the on campus clinic and the simulation lab because that’s when everything will actually start to feel real.
    i know there are gonna be challenges like how expensive all the equipment is, the crazy workload once i move to the portland campus and trying to juggle exams on top of clinic hours. plus, hygienists spend a lot of time bent over patients which sounds kinda rough. and dealing with nervous patients will take patience. but honestly im ready for it. i know it’s gonna be worth it.
    in the long run i want to get solid skills in dental hygiene and maybe even branch into the aesthetic or cosmetic side of oral health later on.

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