June 19, 2009
Media contact: Patty Wellborn
Office: 604-795-2819
patty.wellborn@ufv.ca
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| Petra Rindt checks Dexter's teeth. Dexter is one of several teaching tools used at UFV's Dental Hygiene program. |
Dental Hygiene student wins Governor General’s bronze medal
You could say Petra Rindt is following in her mother’s footsteps, but taking a different path.
Rindt paid close attention while her mother was taking the Certified Dental Assistant program at UFV. Two key things stayed with her: dental offices are generally good places to work, and UFV has programs that can launch you right into your chosen career.
Shortly after her mom graduated and landed a job as a CDA, Rindt registered for UFV’s Dental Hygiene program. She chose the two-year program over the CDA certificate because she wanted a career that would allow her to encourage people to manage and prevent gum disease. Good oral hygiene is an important health issue and Rindt says working as a dental hygienist will enable her to help individuals improve their oral and overall health.
“I could see how much my mom liked her job, so yes, I chose the same career path,” Rindt says, admitting the program proved to be quite taxing. “It’s been a long two years, but well worthwhile.”
To say she applied herself to her studies would be an understatement. Rindt worked hard; extremely hard. She’s not afraid to admit how much effort it took. The diligence has paid off, however, as she has been named UFV’s winner of the Governor General’s academic bronze medal. The medal is awarded each spring to the UFV diploma graduate with the highest grade point average.
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| Petra Rindt receives her academic medal from UFV's Acting Vice-President (Academic) and Provost Eric Davis. |
“The Dental Hygiene program is a very difficult and challenging program,” she says. “This is probably the toughest thing I’ve done in my life. But our class was great and we worked hard together.”
Dental Hygiene program coordinator Shauna Warner says the course is difficult for a reason.
“We want to be very sure that our students are well prepared to offer superior dental hygiene care to the public. To that end, we emphasize teamwork, critical thinking, and interpersonal communication as well as strong clinical skills,” she says.
Warner wants dentists and the public to know that graduates of the UFV dental hygiene program will arrive in the dental office career-ready. Rindt, says Warner, is a fine example of the excellent students that are graduating this year.
“Petra embodies all the qualities we look for in a dental hygiene student,” she adds. “Her above-average performance is a direct result of her strong work ethic, coupled with her determination to succeed and her excellent people skills.”
Warner says Rindt did well in all areas of study and will be an exemplary dental office employee.
“Petra has excelled both academically and clinically while receiving the respect of both her classmates and instructors,” Warner adds. “Our program is very proud of her achievements.”
Rindt, an Abbotsford resident, is currently looking for a job and is confident that with the skills she’s mastered, and her high grades, that it won’t take long before she’s employed.
She isn’t done with education just yet. Barely done school, she is already thinking about part-time studies through UBC’s school of dental health to earn her degree in dental hygiene.
“I think a degree will open a lot more doors for me and provide some different opportunities,” she explains. “I might go into teaching, or research, or even public health. It doesn’t tie you down to a being a clinical hygienist. There are a lot of opportunities out there.”
It might take her five years to complete the degree, but Rindt is confident she can build on the foundation of education she started at UFV because it is so solid.
“I really enjoyed going to UFV and the Dental Hygiene program,” she adds. “I can’t wait to get out there and work!”
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