Sarah Broen, BDSc 2022, is a dental hygienist in Edmonton and a part-time clinical instructor at the University of Alberta. She works in private practice and at Radius Community Health and Healing, providing care to vulnerable and underserved communities. We connected with Sarah to learn about her time at UBC Dentistry and her passion for the dental hygiene profession.
What first got you interested in a career in dental hygiene?
I enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program, thinking I would go to dental school, but as I explored different areas of healthcare, I realized I wanted a career more focused on preventative health. My family friend is a hygienist, and she suggested I try hygiene—it felt like the perfect fit.
Do you have a favourite memory of your time spent at UBC Dentistry?
I started school in 2018, so I got stuck in the pandemic times. Despite the beginning of COVID being tough, coming back to campus was a highlight for me. It was so fun to see my classmates, and everyone was so supportive of each other. I also thought the Faculty did a great job of pivoting to online learning and then back to in-person.
I also have very fond memories of my first community rotation at the EFry Health Centre. It was a completely different clinical setting and clientele than what we experienced at school, and it was very eye-opening. There were times when people just wanted to chat—sometimes I was the only person they would have a conversation with that day—so it taught me a lot about the needs of diverse populations.
What do you enjoy most about teaching third- and fourth-year dental hygiene students at the University of Alberta?
I love being able to share skills and tips that students might not otherwise get, especially because of the work I do at Radius, where I see cases that a private practice might never see. I also like to share with students how important it is to build relationships with clients. Sometimes students get fixated on the strict clinical aspect of the profession, but I’ve spent the last four years learning how critical it is to have good relationships with your patients, and I’m happy to pass that learning on.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about dental hygiene?
That we just clean teeth, when the reality is we are prevention specialists. This misconception is what’s driven me to pursue a Master’s in Health Quality at Queen’s University, starting in September. I want to advocate at a greater scale, educate the public on the importance of oral health and increase access to care, especially for vulnerable populations.
Do you have any advice for current students?
Find a really good mentor and ask a million questions! Finding a mentor changed everything for me and made me much more comfortable.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
My biggest passion right now is travelling. So far, Sorrento, Italy, is my favourite vacation destination!