Future planning with an advanced dental degree a smart move for hygienists
With 16 years of experience, I’m considered a “seasoned” RDH. I earned my Applied Associates of Science degree in 2008 from Florence-Darlington Technical College, and I’ve gained knowledge from my employment settings consisting of private practice, public health, and a pediatric specialty office. My dental hygiene background has broadened my perspectives and given me insights that have allowed me to become versatile in many roles.
I love serving my community and I believe that my skills have excelled at providing care in different clinical hygiene settings. However, I realized that clinical components were strenuous on my body. After practicing for several years, I began to slowly ache, and I had continuous discomfort.
Other things that can affect employment are advancements in clinical practice, which require additional training. Dentists retiring or selling their practices can affect the team’s employment, with the change impacting patient care, as well as patient and staff retention. I realized at any time my job security could influence my retirement timing and savings.
How I moved forward
As I focused on the next steps in my career, I reflected on my long-term goals and future. I registered to attend several dental conferences with strong lectures, scheduled trainings from dental hygiene sales reps, and reviewed numerous peer-reviewed dental magazines and journals authored by influential dental hygienists who had earned their bachelor’s and/or master’s degree. I became increasingly curious and intrigued.
I started to research different dental hygiene colleges to apply for a bachelor’s degree program. I knew in my heart there was nothing else to do but return to college and expand my dental hygiene education, which would allow me to gain the potential to achieve the same opportunities as these amazing and inspirational hygienists.
Overcoming my fear and doubt, I took a leap of faith and enrolled at the University of Bridgeport, Fones School of Dental Hygiene bachelor’s program. I continued my self-reflection as I began courses, asking myself, what truly brought me here? My first thought was to become a dental hygiene clinical instructor. I was thrilled to learn in my studies that there is a huge need for new dental hygiene clinical instructors.1 As a founder of a nonprofit organization called Melanin Health United for Minorities in Healthcare, I have a passion to expand diversity in education.
One of my goals is to assist the new generation of learners stepping into our rewarding profession. As they grow and develop, I hope to make an impact on their education. I understand the challenges and complexity of an associate level dental hygiene program. I want to encourage, inspire, and motivate students, and give back what was given to me from my experiences and successes in the field.
However, as I navigate the bachelor’s program at the University of Bridgeport, I’m discovering there are a variety of opportunities to further investigate. Along with educational interests, while staying true to my passion, I aspire to review directions to assist with the success of others in the realm of dental hygiene.1
The courses in my degree program are allowing me to review new trends and advancements in oral health through multiple assignments. While refreshing my core knowledge of hygiene, I’m applying new knowledge that encourages critical thinking, which allows me as an experienced hygienist to answer questions inquisitive patients may have, thus enhancing oral health conversations during patient education.
Rewarding course feedback from my instructors made me realize how my insight and input in the course discussions have assisted the newer hygienists with less experience to explore my point of view in case study scenarios. A lesson I was taught during my studies is that the more diverse the classroom, the more room for effective collaboration.1
Other takeaways from my courses include learning instructional skills and teaching methods through observing my instructors. I enjoy reflecting on how they communicate with me as a student to reach certain learning goals and objectives. I’m absorbing and formulating my own perceptions of what I thought worked well in the course and what improvements could be made.
As a seasoned hygienist, I’ve watched the profession grow and develop, but mostly from a clinician’s point of view. Performing routine patient care can be rewarding as I watch patients improve their oral health or I see their improved prognosis after periodontal therapy.
Think about the future
However, we face busy schedules that keep our fingers moving constantly, defiant and noncompliant patients, and the burnout that we constantly hear about from colleagues. Without options, our rewarding careers can wear us down physically and mentally. Hygienists must prepare their future options.
Furthering my education later in life has allowed me to adapt to the current generation and new technology. I’ve learned a great deal from my younger peers regarding how they relate to our assignments, which has benefited me.
I recommend that hygienists develop a game plan for the next half of their career and consider an advanced degree in dental hygiene. They need to implement the value of their years in clinical experience to step into a new role in the profession geared toward assisting their mental and physical health. The flexibility with online distance learning allows working clinicians to take courses while maintaining their careers. Now is the time to prepare ourselves!
Reference
- Pondolfino KL. Seeking the professional roles of the dental hygienist. Lecture notes, Power Point slides. University of Bridgeport. October 14, 2024. https://bridgeport.instructure.com/courses/2046226
