Brooke Crouch, RDH
Would you choose dental hygiene all over again?
I knew I chose the right profession even before starting the dental hygiene program. I was going through my prerequisites and volunteering at our local health department’s pediatric dental clinic. It was there that I witnessed the need for dental hygiene services and the issue of access to equitable oral health care in my community. I realized not only could I have a fulfilling career in dental hygiene, but I could also improve the lives of so many people in the public health setting. After seven years in private practice, I became a public health dental hygienist at the same health department I volunteered at so many years ago! I’ve never doubted I was in the right profession.
What advice would you give a new graduate?
Network and never stop wanting more out of your career. There is so much opportunity in the profession of dental hygiene. Research and know what conferences are out there and go learn from your colleagues. Networking with your fellow hygienists keeps the passion for dental hygiene alive. Every time I come back from a conference, I’m energized and thinking of how I can take that knowledge and grow professionally and personally.
Sonya Dunbar, MHA, RDH
What is your focus for 2023?
On my 30th anniversary as a dental hygienist, I realized that my career has been remarkable. The last 17 years working in long-term care facilities with aging adults have been the most rewarding. Caring for the generation of people who once cared for us has been an honor. That inspired me to pass on the knowledge I gained over the years about oral care in long-term care facilities. My goal for 2023 is to educate, motivate, and communicate the importance of geriatric oral care to as many dental professionals and students as possible.
What advice would you give a new graduate?
Take pride in your profession and know that we change and save lives. But always remember to take care of yourself first. Say kind words to yourself, feed your body well, find positive ways to deal with stress, don’t be afraid to use your voice to advocate for yourself, and treat your body well—it’s the only one you will get.
Josey Sewell, RDH
What is your focus for 2023?
In late 2022 I woke up one day feeling negative, frustrated, and disappointed, but I wasn’t sure where the feelings were coming from. I took some time out and did some meditation and self-reflection. As I stilled my body and my mind, I was able to make sense of my emotions. I discovered I was angry because I was living beneath my potential: physically, mentally, and spiritually, and a major contributor was the misalignment of my goals and my environment. My focus for 2023 is reengineering my environment to represent my future desired self.
What has been your greatest success?
My greatest success has been learning to love myself and aligning how I make a living with what I care about most, while discovering my strengths, passions, and purpose. I hope that my legacy and my impact are that I created an operating system that puts people at the center of work and elevated individuals and companies to their highest and best purpose.
