Carrie Portwood, RDA
Carrie Portwood, RDA, is a Dental Hygiene student who will be graduating in April of 2022 from Texas State Technical College Dental Hygiene Program in Harlingen, Texas. In 1999 Carrie obtained an Associate of Arts degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage, Kodiak. Carrie met and married her husband in her hometown of Kodiak, Alaska, and they moved with their son to Harlingen, Texas, in 2013. Carrie worked in Harlingen, Texas as a dental assistant for seven years while attending college and raising her family. She holds a nitrous oxide license and is a Registered Dental Assistant. Carrie decided to return to college to follow her dreams of becoming a Dental Hygienist. Upon graduating from Dental Hygiene school in Texas, Carrie plans to work in both Texas and Alaska. Her goal is to help patients understand dental prevention and achieve beautiful and healthy smiles. Carrie’s passion is connecting with her patients. She plans to work in underserved areas of both Alaska and Texas. She enjoys reading, learning new things, outdoor activities, fitness, and going to the movies with her family in her free time.
Case Study: Dental Hygiene Student Bases Patient Education on Medical History
Many patients who come into the dental clinic are on various medications, and it is rare and surprising when a patient over the age of 50 is not on at least one medication. An estimated 29% of Americans are taking five or more medications regularly.1
Health care has seen an increase in patients taking multiple medications as people are living...