As an editor, I spend most of my working hours behind a desk, and especially, a computer. I enjoy my work serving the dental hygiene community very much, and this is the way I accomplish it, so I’m not complaining. But every year, I get a chance to leave my desk behind and go to RDH Under One Roof.
It’s a whirlwind week, but one in which I have the privilege of seeing so many engaged and passionate members of our audience, professionals and clinicians who are out to change the world patient by patient, and who find the content we publish to be a helpful and supportive companion on this mission.
And who is writing this content? Our amazing community of dental professionals, of course! RDH magazine has long been a platform for the voices of grassroots hygienists as well as established influencers. It’s your magazine.
Many hygienists feel as if their voices are not important or unique, or that they are not good enough writers, but this is not so. This year at UOR, we were able to revive something the editorial staff has done in the past, a writer’s workshop. I meet dozens of hygienists who had professional insights and stories to share and wanted to speak out in their community. We talked a bit about the nuts and bolts of writing and publishing, but something magical happened when the attendees talked amongst themselves about their ideas and stories.
The profession of dental hygiene is perennially facing new obstacles as the marketplace changes, and you each face your own individual challenges, something that can be made more difficult and lonelier without the support of a community. Not everyone wants to be a vocal author, and that’s fine! We strive to facilitate many different ways of hygienists participating in their community—by reading an article, engaging on social media, taking a CE course, going to UOR, writing, and more.
Thanks to the voices of our readers and the thoughtful contributions of our new editorial advisory board, we have some exciting things planned for 2019. We also want to hear from you—about an article idea you’ve had in your head for months, or even just about something you’d like to see us cover. And we hope to see you next year at RDH Under One Roof in Dallas, Texas!
Amelia Williamson DeStefano
