CU Dental 2018 - 8

DENTAL HYGIENE

JAMIE IDELBERG

NURTURING
THROUGH
NATURE

CU DENTAL 2018

Ask a group of dental hygiene graduates how
they are using their education today, and you
may be surprised by their answers. Among our
own CU hygiene alumni, many expanded the
traditional hygiene role, which led to interesting
career paths from a refugee advocate to even a
children's book author.
Helpers at heart, most hygienists bring
a level of comfort that allows them to build
relationships with families, especially when
patients feel nervous and vulnerable. Given
these nurturing characteristics, it is no surprise
many hygienists choose to work in public
health, often outside of the dental profession.
This is the route Jamie Idelberg, DH Class
of 1983, found herself taking. After working in a
private practice for years, Idelberg was offered
the opportunity to work with the Cleft and Craniofacial Clinics at Children's Hospital Colorado.
One of the most common types of birth
defects in the United States, clefts not only
affect feeding, speech, hearing, teeth and
appearance, they can also cause profound
social challenges. Idelberg noticed that
while the children were receiving fantastic
health care, the kids often felt alone and
isolated. Inspired by the Children's Hospital
Colorado Burn Camps Program, Idelberg's
nurturing nature kicked in and she created
Cleft Camp - a camping experience
uniquely designed for children with cleft lips
and/or palates.
Now in its 19th year, Cleft Camp offers
a summer camp through the Breckenridge
Outdoor Education Center, allowing campers to

"Attending camp has always
meant more to me than just
the fun activities. It's about
creating a safe community
so kids can be kids."

experience their Colorado backyard with hiking
trips, zip lining, canoeing and more.
The success of the summer camp was
undeniable, and 10 years ago, Cleft Camp
added a winter camp that includes private ski/
snow board lessons. "I remember the first time
we allowed our campers to learn how to ski. I
was a nervous wreck," said Idelberg. "I would
ski down beside them, taking pictures of the
campers with their instructors, and I'll never
forget the joy I saw in their faces."
While campers enjoy the many mountain
activities, the real value lies in the quality time
children spend with others who share a similar
diagnosis. It's fairly common for children with
clefts to not know one other person with a cleft.
At Cleft Camp, children not only learn they are
not alone, but through campfires and s'mores,
they also forge friendships that enhance their
self-esteem and creates a lasting network of
support.
And after all, isn't that the point of any
camp experience? Idelberg believes so.
"I grew up going to camp, I was a camp
counselor, and honestly, I needed to get back
to a camp myself," said Idelberg. "Attending
camp has always meant more to me than just
the fun activities. It's about creating a safe
community so kids can be kids." And for these
special campers, Cleft Camp provides a safe
harbor from social anxieties and the ultimate
community of compassion and camaraderie.
Idelberg, who still uses her dental hygiene
degree to help provide free dental screenings
to preschoolers throughout the year, feels her
hygiene background is part of the reason she
was able to take on this role as head camp
counselor. "Working with cleft patients and their
families is really about creating relationships so
patients and their families feel comfortable and
safe - just like a hygienist."
CU Dental is extremely proud of Idelberg for
taking the lead when she saw an unfilled need.
Thanks to her leadership and compassion,
Cleft Camp is making a difference in the lives of
so many children. ■

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CU Dental 2018

Tablet of Contents
CU Dental 2018 - Cover1
CU Dental 2018 - Cover2
CU Dental 2018 - Tablet of Contents
CU Dental 2018 - 2
CU Dental 2018 - 3
CU Dental 2018 - 4
CU Dental 2018 - 5
CU Dental 2018 - 6
CU Dental 2018 - 7
CU Dental 2018 - 8
CU Dental 2018 - 9
CU Dental 2018 - 10
CU Dental 2018 - 11
CU Dental 2018 - 12
CU Dental 2018 - 13
CU Dental 2018 - 14
CU Dental 2018 - 15
CU Dental 2018 - 16
CU Dental 2018 - 17
CU Dental 2018 - 18
CU Dental 2018 - 19
CU Dental 2018 - 20
CU Dental 2018 - 21
CU Dental 2018 - 22
CU Dental 2018 - 23
CU Dental 2018 - 24
CU Dental 2018 - 25
CU Dental 2018 - 26
CU Dental 2018 - 27
CU Dental 2018 - 28
CU Dental 2018 - 29
CU Dental 2018 - 30
CU Dental 2018 - 31
CU Dental 2018 - 32
CU Dental 2018 - Cover3
CU Dental 2018 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/cudental_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/ucdenver_cudental_winter2017
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com