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1. Describe your current position.

Currently, I work part-time with Dr. Tom McDougal in Dallas. It is a progressive general practice that I am proud to have been a part of for the past 20 years. I also own Cutting Edge Concepts^® ,  my own consulting company that takes me across the country conducting lectures, workshops, and promoting team building for both small and large audiences. For the past 12 years, I have been part of the JP Institute team, consulting with clients across the United States and Canada. Clinical practice, consulting, and speaking inspire me to remain on the cutting edge of the profession.

2. How did you move from clinical practice to your current position? Did you need to further your education, start off in an entry-level position, etc?

Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Tex, is one of the few universities in the United States that offers a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree. The baccalaureate classes helped develop a passion for research, to become a leader in the dental community, and to appreciate the value of perpetual learning. Also, working with Dr. Tom has given me an opportunity not only to practice dental hygiene but also to participate in continuing education seminars he conducted by leading breakout workshops for dental hygienists. From there, I began speaking at local study clubs and performing limited consulting to practices about the success of our own hygiene department. In 1992, the JP Institute provided in-office consulting to our practice, which opened the door for me to join the company as a part-time consultant. In 1999, I made a decision to begin my own company Cutting Edge Concepts.  Many mentors, including my dental hygiene instructor and friend Kathy Trilli, my boss Tom McDougal, and my colleagues and friends Jan Lazarus and Peggy Sprague of the JP Institute, inspired the move from full-time clinical practice to speaking and consulting. A vision and dedication are all that are needed to move beyond perceived limitations.

3. What advice would you give dental hygienists who wish to move out of clinical practice but remain in the dental field?

Write your dreams and goals down! Think big. Consider all options. Avoid limiting yourself by perceived challenges. Most people do not take the time to write their dreams or goals down but this process creates clarity. Seldom are dreams ever accomplished accidentally. Most happen as a result of deliberate plans and goals. Putting dreams on paper makes it easier to formulate specific plans and set goals. I was fortunate to have a good friend, who is a successful entrepreneur, encourage me to write down what I'd really like to do with my career. At first I resisted because even the act of writing down that I wanted to become a public speaker seemed frightening. However, this was an important first step toward achieving my goals. 

Next, examine the realistic barriers you will face in order to meet your goals, such as obtaining advanced education, developing a business plan, obtaining a loan to start a business, cutting back on your current position in order to devote time to perusing your dream, etc, and determine whether or not you are willing to make the necessary sacrifices in order to achieve your dream. Share your plans with someone you trust for objective advice and accountability. This process begins to make the dream or goals become reality. The rest is dedication.

I was a single parent when I decided to make a leap into consulting and when I started my own company. Both required having a plan and remaining focused on my goals. They necessitated my making sacrifices and taking risks but the professional and personal rewards have been worth it all.

Our profession needs many more capable individuals willing to move beyond their comfort zones and explore the vast array of career opportunities available, or better yet, create new ones! 

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Like most 17-year-old high school seniors the pressure of deciding what I was going to do with the rest of my life weighed heavy on my shoulders. For several years I had expressed an interest in education.   However, in the late 1980's the outlook for teachers in the state of Michigan was less than impressive. As fate would have it I was expressing my concern of picking a career path to my dental hygienist during my 6-month check up.She said, "I know you like science and you want to be a teacher…have you ever considered a career in dental hygiene?" I looked at her with an obvious look of confusion.   I had no idea what science and education had to do with dental hygiene. She proceeded to explain the science behind every dental hygienist's degree and how she educated patients every day. I was intrigued.  

In 1993 I graduated from Kellogg Community College with an Associate degree in Applied Science and Dental Hygiene. I absolutely loved dental hygiene school. It was challenging and rigorous but unbelievably rewarding at the same time. After graduation, while working full time, I began taking classes at night and on weekends at Siena Heights College completing my BS degree in just over a year. Sure enough, one of the best aspects of clinical dental hygiene, for me, was the opportunity to educate my patients. I was impacting a few thousand people every year, teaching my patients about disease prevention, intervention strategies and behavior modification. One day I started reflecting on the word "impact."  Yes, I impacted my patients in a positive way, educating them, changing their behavior, and improving their oral and systemic health. Then I thought, "how can I do more?" It occurred to me that becoming a dental hygiene educator was the answer. I could impact hundreds of students who, in turn, would go out an impact tens of thousands of patients. 

After 5 years of full time clinical practice I decided to pursue my graduate degree. I considered several excellent graduate programs across the country.  All it took was one warm, sunny September visit to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to seal my fate. It was the most beautiful campus I had ever seen and exuded a palpable energy. A few months later I packed up my belongings and my cocker spaniel and began graduate school at UNC-Chapel Hill. Graduate school quickly replaced dental hygiene school as the most challenging accomplishment I had ever attained, but it was also the most enriching and rewarding. I learned about research, teaching methodologies, statistics, advanced biological sciences and worked side by side with some of the world's most respected educators and researchers.    

After completing my Master of Science degree in Dental Hygiene Education I was appointed as a clinical assistant professor at UNC. After three years of academics I began considering career options in the corporate sector. In August 2003 I accepted a position with Philips Oral Healthcare, makers of Sonicare^®, as one of seven Professional Educators across the country. As a corporate educator I experience tremendous flexibility and variety, no two days are the same.  When I'm not working out of my home office I'm traveling the U.S. speaking to various professional associations. I also have the pleasure of presenting to dental hygiene students, dental students and post- graduate residents. My background as a clinician (I still work part time in clinical practice), and as a former academician has enhanced my career as a Professional Educator in the corporate sector significantly.  At Philips Oral Healthcare I am fortunate to work with a dynamic group of dental hygiene professionals with an unbelievable mentor, Noel Paschke RDH, MS at the helm.  

My career in dental hygiene has been extremely fulfilling. I often wonder where I would be in my life if I hadn't had that "what am I going to do with the rest of my life" conversation with my childhood hygienist.

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The Educator—
Michele Darby, BSDH, MS
Norfolk, VA

Eminent Scholar
Graduate Program Director
Professor
Researcher
Textbook Author

1. Describe your current position.

My current position provides the opportunity to work daily with the future of dental hygiene and perhaps, vicariously, to have some influence on the future direction of the profession. As graduate program director at the School of Dental Hygiene, Old Dominion University, in Norfolk, Va, I mentor students toward their career aspirations, whether in education, research, administration, or some aspect of business. As a mentor, my role is to help students visualize what they can achieve and what they are capable of contributing to society. The variety that characterizes an academic career is the main reason I remain in higher education. As a faculty member, I am an educator, a researcher, a manager, a consultant, a writer, an author, a volunteer, and a speaker, all rolled into one. I am rewarded for continuing to learn, for contributing to our body of knowledge, for ensuring that the most current concepts are taught to students, or for being an effective role model and mentor. I know of no other career that emphasizes professional and personal development and affords this kind of variety…and to think I get a salary for this!!!

2. How did you move from clinical practice to your current position? Did you need to further your education, start off in an entry-level position, etc?

In the dental hygiene certificate program at the University of Pittsburgh, I was fortunate to have a faculty member who took an interest in me and saw potential that I did not see myself. Anne McFadden, RDH, PhD, encouraged me to continue my education in a degree completion program. At Columbia University, again I encountered a faculty member, Kathy Silko Miller, RDH, MS, who encouraged me to complete a Masters of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Although I always worked as either a dental assistant or dental hygienist during my formal education, my mentors always pointed me toward a career path beyond clinical practice. Perhaps that is why I view my mentoring responsibilities as a top priority. My first academic position was as a full-time instructor in the Division of Dental Hygiene at Columbia University. After a few years, I moved to become an assistant professor at Old Dominion University where I worked hard to achieve promotions to associate professor, full professor, and eminent scholar. I also served 7 years as department chair. I never looked at new assignments as problematic, but rather as an opportunity to acquire new knowledge or skills. I learned early on that if you don’t take risks and pursue new endeavors, you never expand your capabilities or value as an employee.

3. What advice would you give dental hygienists who wish to move out of clinical practice but remain in the dental field?

Exposure to the numerous careers available to dental hygienists is critical if one is to see beyond the role of private practice clinician. I worry most about those dental hygiene students who say things like “Why do we have to learn this? It’s not relevant to being a dental hygienist.” Blindly, they are limiting their futures with this type of attitude. I am a proponent of general education as part of entry-level baccalaureate or degree-completion curricula. To advance, it is important that dental hygienists possess basic problem solving ability, diverse perspectives, and critical-thinking skills that a general education promotes. In my opinion, the baccalaureate degree is the basis from which alternative career paths lead. Hygienists interested in alternative careers need to be competent in oral and written communication skills and research methods; well versed in principles of community-based practice and policy that encompass oral health promotion, maintenance and control of oral disease in populations; understand the importance of cost-effective, coordinated care that addresses the needs of culturally-diverse and vulnerable, underserved populations; and able to use technology to access, exchange, and store information electronically. Whether the career goal is a position in education, research, or the oral care products industry, the dental hygienist must keep in mind that we are connected to a global community. Those of us in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe enjoy the highest level of education and practice and we need to forge partnerships with people and institutions beyond our borders. We cannot be ethnocentric or complacent with the knowledge that we have. Dental hygiene is still in its infancy in Jordan, Kuwait, Germany, Central America, and Eastern Europe just to mention a few parts of the world. We have an unfulfilled mission to work internationally to improve quality of life globally. Given the link between oral and systemic health, we know that properly educated dental hygienists can improve access to health care, and cut morbidity and mortality rates of people in underserved and undeveloped areas of the world. As such, dental hygienists as educator, clinicians, researchers, or business people can contribute to the economic development and stability of countries by making sure that the workforce is healthy and has the tools they need to prevent disease.

Whether we like it or not, formal degrees are essential credentials for career advancement. Too few dental hygienists see graduate degrees in their futures. We have BS and MS programs in dental hygiene, but we need more and we need them over subscribed. Schools must actively share information with students and practicing dental hygienists about masters and doctoral programs and mentor our brightest in that direction. We need doctorally-prepared dental hygienists for expanding the theoretical, scholarly, and scientific dimensions of dental hygiene. Doctoral education would prepare a cadre of individuals who could bring knowledge from other disciplines, and generate new knowledge by developing and testing theories. Dental hygienists with doctorates would be leaders, researchers, and scholars; strengthen dental hygiene’s research and educational capabilities; secure for dental hygiene credibility and strength as a valid discipline; and create academic legitimacy. The outcome will be expansion of an organized body of knowledge that serves as the foundation for quality dental hygiene care for societies worldwide.

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The Professional Speaker—
Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, BA, MS
San Carlos, CA

Adjunct Professor
Business Owner
Consultant
Former President of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA)
International Speaker
Researcher
Writer

1. Describe your current position(s).

As a researcher, author, consultant, and speaker, I present seminars nationally and internationally on topics such as women’s health and wellness, sex-based medicine, oral care for the cancer patient, oral cancer, and immunology and periodontal disease. I own my company, Seminars for Women’s Health, and am a member of various speakers’ bureaus. I also serve as a consultant to various companies. As a member of the National Advisory Committee for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Smoking Cessation Leadership Center Program, and the ADHA Taskforce on Tobacco Cessation, I attempt to educate professionals about the importance of counseling about tobacco cessation to save lives. I am a member National Women’s Health Resource Center (NWHRC), Women’s Health Advisory Council, and review content for their website. As an active board member of the Dental Health Foundation, the dental public health organization in California, I aid underserved communities and contribute to the education and policy making of a number of organizations. Currently, I serve on an advisory panel to develop “The Future of Dental Hygiene Report,” and I chair the Pfizer/ADHA Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene Committee.

Another role I fill is to continually promote the public image of our profession. I appeared on several network television interviews regarding the link between periodontal disease and systemic disease. In 2001, I appeared on the Fox Health Network/WEBMD.TV—The “Cutting Edge Medical Report.” I conducted a number of radio interviews during my career to emphasize the importance of oral health as a foundation for systemic health and a beautiful smile. Most recently, I am a quoted expert in a lay text: Women Doctors’ Guide to Health and Healing. In addition to health issues, I endeavor to educate the public about who dental hygienists are and what we do. Dental hygienists are integral to health care delivery and we can save lives!

2. How did you move from clinical practice to your current position? Did you need to further your education, start off in an entry-level position, etc?

I began the clinical practice of dental hygiene after completing a 2-year program at the University of Pennsylvania. My speaking career started in the 1980s, about the time I became president of the Northern California Dental Hygienists’ Association. As I began speaking and volunteering more often, I found it necessary to decrease the number of days of clinical practice. I continued my association involvement and, ultimately, became American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) President in 1997-98. I felt that 2 years of education after high school did not provide me with the depth and breadth of knowledge that I needed to be an informed speaker/consultant. I received my Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Health Services Administration, which broadened my knowledge about the business and policies of health care. Still not satisfied, I entered a Master of Science (MS) program, which focused on health education and curriculum development. Life long learning is an ambition of mine, and I continually seek opportunities to achieve this goal. I believe that the profession of dental hygiene would be enhanced and command more respect, if entry level to the profession were a baccalaureate degree. While I believe dental hygiene is a profession. There are those who would argue that point, stating a minimum educational requirement for entry into the profession and a small unique body of knowledge. Most dental hygienists with 2-year degrees actually have the equivalent of 3 to 4 years of education. I believe they should receive the credit they are due. Better articulation programs are needed to accomplish this goal.

3. What advice would you give dental hygienists who wish to move out of clinical practice but remain in the dental field?

Discover your passion. You should love your job, whatever it is! Pinpoint goals and write them down. Identify strategies to achieve your goals. Learn how to accept where you are at the moment and be at peace with it. Contentment will not stop you from achieving your goals, but rather, will enhance your efforts. Enjoy the journey, live in the present, have fun, help others, listen, and above all—continue to learn.

There are many roles within dental hygiene and dentistry that dental hygienists are capable of performing. The roles of educator, researcher, administrator, corporate liaison, change agent, or advocate are a few. My advice would be to find a mentor and seek guidance rather than “performing solo.” The most valuable tip I can offer is this: Network! Speak to as many individuals as you can and offer to volunteer on a component, state, and/ or national level of ADHA. Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back to the community, fostering a feeling of satisfaction. It also assists others and furthers the goals of the association and the profession. And last, but CERTAINLY not least, become a member of ADHA. If you are a member, become active. One of the criteria of a true professional is to be a member of a professional association. While there are numerous tangible and intangible benefits of membership, in the (altered) words of a famous president…ask not what your association can do for you, but rather, what you can do for your association. You will be greatly rewarded!

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Ellen R. Guritzky, RDH
Parsippany, NJ

Manager of Professional Relations and Conventions
GlaxoSmithKline

My initial interest in dentistry is due to my brother, Harold, and our pediatric dentist, Dr. Irwin Geller. To make a long story short, my brother fell and fractured both of his central incisors at the gingival margin. At the age of 8 I learned that new teeth did not grow to replace lost teeth. My brother was rushed to Dr. Geller’s dental office and when he returned home he had new teeth. I wondered: how did that happen??? This is when my interest in dentistry was born, leading to my career today.

I continued to be conscientious of everyone’s teeth, reading books and learning more about dentistry. Throughout grade school at least one of my papers each year had topics relating to varying aspects of dentistry. Once old enough, I became the first volunteer  candy striper at the dental clinic in Newark Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. This experience was my first step in developing my clinical knowledge. The staff was eager to teach me, answering all the questions from the “clinic kid.” They treated my like I was part of their team and as a result, I spent as much time as possible at the clinic.

During my senior year in high school, I took a college course in dental radiology. Throughout college I spent my summers working as a dental assistant in dental offices.
This work experience was helpful while attending the University of Medicine and Dentistry—School of Health Relate Professions (UMDNJ-SHRP) to become dental hygienist. 

My family was extremely proud that I graduated with honors from UMDNJ. After successfully passing my boards and obtaining my license as an RDH in the state of New Jersey, it was time to find a job. My first full time employment was with a small general/family practitioner, the late Dr. Alan Silverberg. It was unfortunate that my first mentor, Dr. Silverberg, passed so early in his (and my) career. As I continued to work in other dental offices my path took me full circle as I reunited with Dr. Geller. I still work with Dr. Geller on a part-time basis.

My career took another turn when I was added to the faculty at UMDNJ in the early 1990s. I began as a clinical adjunct faculty member eventually moving on to teach classes, such as histology and dental anatomy and assist with other teaching responsibilities. I enjoyed sharing my knowledge with students who would become members of this wonderful and rewarding profession.

Do to an unfortunate automobile accident, I was advised by my orthopedic surgeon to stop working full time as a dental hygienist. Knowing this, I took my resume to dental conventions where I canvassed the floor looking for employment with a dental company.

My first corporate association was with a Canadian company—PharmaScience. My position primarily was as a sales associate, however, I also lectured dental professionals on the uses of fluoride varnishes. While this experience was very rewarding, it was time to move on. I was then hired as the director of Clinical Education at Sultan Dental Products in Englewood, NJ. Here I educated both sales associates and dental professionals on the features and benefits of their product line.

Currently, I am the manger of Professional Relations and Convention Events for GlaxoSmithKline—Consumer Healthcare (GSK), Parsippany, NJ. My responsibilities as include supporting GSK’s dental marketing team; educating sales associates and dental hygiene professionals; maintaining relationships with local, national, and international dental hygiene organizations; and working with key opinion leaders. In June 2004, I was promoted to include all aspects of major dental conventions that will further promote the GSK oral care portfolio.

In addition to my career, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my husband Glenn. We love flying for a “$100 hamburger” in our Piper-Arrow, boating on Lake Hopatcong, cruising to new and exciting places, attending Devil ice-hockey games, and tailgating at Giant football games.

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The Consultant—
Casey Hein, RDH, MBA
Arnold, MD

Author
Business Owner
Speaker

1. Describe your current position(s).

I am the founder and president of PointPerio LLC, a privatized educational and consulting group. The company specializes in hands-on teaching for hygienists and dentists who are committed to a collaborative relationship and who want to develop technical mastery in the nonsurgical management of chronic periodontitis and excellence in patient care delivery. In addition to my consulting practice, I lecture nationally on the role of the periodontal therapist in general practice settings, author the column “Perio Pathways” and publish case studies in Contemporary Oral Hygiene, and regularly contribute practice management articles to Dentist’s Money Digest. I am a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.

2. How did you move from clinical practice to your current position?

Did you need to further your education, start off in an entry-level position, etc? The journey I have made has been a life-long one, certainly not overnight. Since I graduated from West Virginia University in 1974, I have taught in a university dental school, practiced in public health settings, worked in strategic planning in higher education, and practiced clinically for many years in both general and periodontal specialty practices. I left dentistry altogether for about 10 years while my three children were young. In 1990, I finished my MBA from Loyola College, at a time when everyone was more than just a little skeptical about how I would put it to use. It was not long before the investment in my master’s degree paid off. As a practice acquisition consultant for a large practice management company during the early 1990s, I toured the United States visiting an array of practices to perform practice valuations and due diligence for acquisition. Soon after this time, I decided that my real passion was in clinical care and returned to a wonderful private general practice that allowed me a great deal of autonomy. It was during that time that I began to see the profound effect evidence-based decision-making has on the level of care we render. In 2000, the concept of a clinical consulting practice dedicated to helping others achieve and sustain optimal therapeutic outcomes in the management of chronic periodontitis was conceived. That’s when PointPerio LLC began. It has been very exciting to work with dentist clients who understand the value of working with hygienists who aspire to practice excellence in periodontal care and who are willing to reward them for their professional dedication.

3. What advice would you give dental hygienists who wish to move out of clinical practice but remain in the dental field?

1. Develop clinical credibility: Your value as a corporate employee, as a practice administrator, or as an academician is closely tied to your clinical experience and expertise. I know of few hygienists (except perhaps those in clinical research) who experienced long-term success by jumping into nonclinical positions without solid clinical experience behind them. Credibility is very important so make sure you get enough clinical experience to ensure that others value what you bring into a nonclinical position.

2. Try being a scientist. Our profession is experiencing an unprecedented time to practice scientifically. Before you decide to leave clinical practice, try practicing as a scientist instead of a robot. This is what attracted me back into clinical practice years after leaving it—finally, a chance to use my head. This means committing to an independent course of study that will allow you to read and explore everything that is coming through the research pipeline on periodontal diseases. Then look for a dentist who appreciates the value of a collaborative relationship and who allows you a certain level of autonomy in incorporating your research findings into everyday practice. If your experiences mirror those of others, I’d be surprised if you ever left clinical practice.

3. Learn business. As more and more health care providers are finding, business skills are essential—even in private practice where employer dentists look to hygienists for help in practice management. As companies look for ways to apply clinical research, it will be those with both solid business experience in addition to authentic clinical experience who will be called on to make judgments about development and marketing.

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Lynne Hollister Slim, RDH, MS
Douglasville, GA

President, Perio C Dent, Inc.
(Perio-Centered Dentistry)

My name is Lynne H. Slim and I am President of Perio C Dent, Inc., which stands for Perio-Centered Dentistry. Perio C Dent is a dental practice management-consulting firm specializing in training dental hygienists to become periodontal therapists in general dental practices.

Graduating with a Master's of Dental Hygiene degree in 1978 from Old Dominion University unlocked many doors for me in a variety of settings. I was able to enter the educational arena well prepared to teach dental hygiene students. For several years, I taught associate and baccalaureate degree dental hygiene students, freshman dental students in a private dental school, and I assisted a periodontal researcher in an oral health research center. In addition, I worked in a public health position working with indigent children as part of a federal government grant.

While at Old Dominion University, I was strongly influenced by three faculty members: Kathleen Russell, RDH, MPH; Deanne Shuman, BSDH, MS, PhD; and Michelle Darby, BSDH, MS. Professor Darby taught me to respect the scientific method, Kathleen taught me how to critique the literature, and Deanne was the consummate professional and model clinician. All three professors instilled in me a passion for life-long learning and have given me an unquenchable thirst for professional excellence in dental hygiene.

When my children were young, my career took a bit of a back seat and I spent many rewarding years in general dental and periodontal practices working part-time as a dental hygiene clinician. As my children became more independent, I was eager to take the plunge again into new and exciting career territories so I re-entered the education. Living in the Georgia, I found dental hygiene education to be traditional and somewhat outdated compared to other parts of the United States and I was very frustrated with many dental hygiene graduates becoming dental hygiene technicians instead of professionals. I often attempted to challenge the status quo in dental hygiene education and fell flat on my face or was rejected by those who were unwilling to think outside the box. In an attempt to vent my feelings of frustration, I spent some time working for my state constituency and I became editor of a student newsletter called The Dream Catcher. I challenged students to adopt a more professional approach to their career and emphasized the evolution of professionalism in dental hygiene.

I then began thinking about ways that I could reach more hygienists on a national level. For this reason, I started my own business with the goal of promoting the dental hygiene department within the general dental practice. My mission is to assist hygienists who wish to deliver high quality, client-centered, nonsurgical periodontal therapy in a general dental practice setting. I am also interested in correcting and re-energizing dysfunctional dental teams and very much enjoy studying and lecturing on this particular topic.

For those dental hygiene students or hygienists who are perhaps burned out or searching for new career goals, figure out what you enjoy doing most and link it to dental hygiene. For me, it's a tie between public speaking, writing, teaching, and practicing as a periodontal therapist. Follow your dreams, march to a different drummer and don't be afraid to think outside the box. Always remember that it is important to give back to our beloved profession and make it difficult for others to tinker with and attempt to lower our educational standards. If you elect to choose an uncharted path, be prepared to feel a bit isolated at times because you will have elevated yourself above the norm. Use your new status to elevate the profession of dental hygiene and you'll be glad you did.

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Susanne Kuehl, RDH

Professional Advocacy Team Leader
Tom's of Maine

Destiny brought me to Tom’s of Maine. Last spring, I heard company president and cofounder Tom Chappell speak at a Saltwater Institute seminar followed by a Chamber of Commerce forum about values-based leadership. I sent follow up emails conveying my passion about collaborative management and integrity in business. As a last minute thought I added, “And oh—by the way—I’m a dental hygienist and love your products.” A month later, Dr. Kerry Maguire, director of the newly formed professional advocacy program, called to ask me to apply for the team leader position. The job was a perfect match. My newly developed position is dedicated to educating health professionals about natural oral care, its relationship to wellness, and Tom’s of Maine Natural Care products. I work out of our home office in Kennebunk, Me, and travel to the many professional association meetings, conferences, and dental conventions across the nation. As liaison between industry and the oral health professions, I assist in the development of educational and collateral materials that deliver the message about Tom’s of Maine’s values and products to health professionals and the general consumer. I’ve always believed that all hygienists are public health advocates and I am especially proud of our latest common good partnership—Dental Health for All—where we hope to bring awareness about the need for access to dental care to retailers and consumers.

A graduate of Westbrook College, I’ve had over 25 years of experience as a dental hygienist working in private practice as well as the corporate arena. I was selected to be a member of the Oral-B Advisory Board for 3 years, where I served as chairperson for a year, which cemented my interest in the business end of dentistry. As a sales representative for Professional Dental Technologies covering New Hampshire and Maine, I brought in more than 200 clients from virgin territory and became known as the “Rotadent Lady.” I’m a past president of the New Hampshire Dental Hygiene Association as well as an active member of the American Dental Hygiene Association. I am currently very interested in their corporate special interest group.

One of my favorite books years ago was Women in Leadership which describes how we can parent and combine career in an ebb and flow progression. As a leader in family friendly policies, Tom’s of Maine has been named 9 times in the annual 100 Best Companies list in Working Women’s Magazine and the flexibility in scheduling was a huge selling point for me as a single mother of four. I love my roles in management, creating systems, building relationships and acting as ambassador for our Natural Care products. I have used all the roles of my profession—change agent, clinician, manager, consumer advocate, health educator, and researcher in my ever-evolving career. It is our time to shine and be recognized as the preventative health care specialist by consumers, industry, and governmental agencies. It is a wonderful time to be a dental hygienist.

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Deborah M. Lyle, RDH, MS

Manager of Professional Marketing and Education
Waterpik Technologies

After 25 years, it is funny to think I became a dental hygienist by accident. There were no mentors, I didn’t work in a dental office, and no guidance counselor advised that dental hygiene would be a good choice due to my interests. It happened simply because I wanted to go away to school and my parents required me to declare a major before they would pay out-of-state tuition. I picked dental hygiene because our neighbor’s daughter just graduated from a dental hygiene program. I was accepted at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut and the rest, as they say, is history.

I attended the University of Bridgeport matriculating in the baccalaureate program. I still did not plan on a career in dental hygiene but the course work was interesting and since I was accepted into the 4-year program, I could double major by focusing my electives in one area.  I graduated with a BS in dental hygiene and psychology. Then came the phone call. A friend had accepted a position with Aramco as a dental hygienist working in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and wanted to know if I was interested in a summer position as a dental hygienist in the clinic. I wasn’t going to pass up that experience so off I flew to Saudi Arabia to practice hygiene from May through August. It helped hone my skills as a clinician, challenged my diagnostic abilities, and increased by understanding of cultural differences. This was an experience that I sincerely enjoyed—both personally and professionally.

Returning to the United States, I worked full-time as a clinical dental hygienist. After 3 years I felt the personal need for change either in dental hygiene or to another discipline. I investigated teaching in higher education and was told that a master’s degree was required for most positions. I immediately gathered my credentials, applied and within less than a year had moved to Kansas City, Mo, to begin the master’s degree program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

My teaching experience spans several years and includes appointments at Western Kentucky University, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists, and Bergen Community College. After a move from Massachusetts to New Jersey, I found that I needed to explore other opportunities since there were not any teaching positions open at the time. Waterpik Technologies hired me as the northeast educational representative primarily due to my teaching experience. I was later promoted to the manager of the Educational Representatives and held that position until another opportunity presented itself within Waterpik and I was again promoted to my current position. I am the Manager of Professional Marketing and Education. I am responsible for all marketing initiatives to dental professionals through multiple mediums, coordination of clinical trials, professional relations, educational programs, and management of personnel and budgets.

During my career, I have had numerous professional and leadership opportunities in academia, clinical practice, and corporate. I have presented over 100 continuing education courses; contributed to or authored textbook chapters; been appointed to academic and professional committees, councils, and boards; and authored numerous articles.

I guess you can say I seized and perhaps created opportunities that have been rewarding and moved my career forward. After it is all said and done, I cherish the friendships that have evolved the most.

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Brenda Sharp McCarson, RDH, BS

National Sales Specialist
Brasseler USA

I have enjoyed dental hygiene career opportunities that have included a blend of alternate practice settings including clinical practice, public health, education, and the sales industry.

How did I get started in the dental sales industry? In 1988, after 8 years in public health dentistry, I was looking for a new challenge and was very interested in sales.  I interviewed for an oral care sales position with Procter & Gamble and much to my surprise was offered the South Carolina position.  I was offered the position because of my clinical and professional involvement in dental hygiene. Most companies, including Procter & Gamble, require a bachelor's degree for entry level sales positions. At that time, I was pursuing a Bachelor of Health Science degree so this helped me meet the criteria.

I worked with Procter & Gamble for 8 years until the company's restructure of the oral care products division.  In 1996, I had the opportunity to work with an entrepreneurial company, Oncall LLC, as part of the initial management team leading the Southeast region's, dental and medical sales initiatives in the course of providing contract sales and recruiting services to clients. Through Oncall, I was presented the opportunity to interview for the Brasseler USA position.

I was hired as the National Hygiene Specialist in February of 2003 for the preventative care business segment.  My responsibilities are really diverse. I am involved in sales, marketing, training, research, design, and test marketing of new products.

 A major responsibility is updating all of our hand instrument resources. A massive project has been designing a new hand instrument module. This has been an ongoing project and involves working with the graphics department to photograph every hand instrument. After that, each instrument has to be cross-referenced and given descriptions.

I am also responsible for leading the company's team of Regional Hygiene Specialists. We market Brasseler USA's hygiene instrument and hand piece product lines to dental hygienists in the dental office settings, dental hygiene schools, and at dental and dental hygiene conventions

 Working with Brasseler USA has allowed me to use evidence-based thought processes on the many projects that I am involved with, which is part of the company's philosophy.

My success in corporate sales is the result of my strong commitment to the dental hygiene profession. You can't sell products to a user if you aren't intimately in touch with what the user is doing everyday.  I will never forget where I started my career-as a clinical dental hygienist.   

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Ellen Neuenfeldt, RDH, BS

Professional Relations Manager
3M ESPE Dental Products

1. Describe your current position: 

As a member of the 3M ESPE Professional Relations group, my focus is on creating and maintaining relationships with the members and professional associations of dental hygienists, dental assistants, pediatric dentists, and select professional organizations within dentistry.  These organizations include the American Academy of Esthetic Dentists and the American Association of Women Dentists. Through on-going dialogue and collaboration with industry leaders and their members, 3M ESPE is better able generate new ideas for dental practitioner solutions.

2.  How did you move from clinical practice to your current position? 

Although I enjoyed clinical practice, I felt it was necessary to expand my horizons.  Although there are many career paths within the field of dentistry, corporate America appeared the most enticing to me.  Through many communications, several interviews, and months of persistence and patience, a position was secured on the 3M ESPE Technical Hotline.  This was an excellent starting point, as an in-depth knowledge of the products and procedures within the division was mandatory. Over the last 16 years, I have had the opportunity to increase my level of knowledge and skills by working in several different areas within 3M, including inside sales, government account management, technical services, scientific affairs, and now my current position as professional relations manager. 

3. What advice would you give a dental hygienist who would like to move out of clinical practice but remain in the dental field? 

The first step is to research the many options that are available, such as s sales representative for a manufacturer or distributor, practice consultant with an emphasis on the dental hygiene department, professional speaker/educator, program director and/or instructor in the dental hygiene department at a university or community college, and opportunities within public health or alternative practice settings.  The next step is to decide which of these opportunities is of special interest to you.  Then, contact individuals who are in these career areas and schedule an informational interview.  In addition to a one-on-one discussion, ask if you can experience a half-day or day “in their shoes.”  For example, spend a day with a dealer or manufacturer representative as he or she makes sales calls.  Or, spend a day with a dental hygiene program director or instructor.  If you are more entrepreneurial in nature, contact professional speakers/educators and determine what it took for them to be successful.  The opportunities are truly endless but first you must know what these opportunities are, determine your interest level via research and informational interviews, and determine if you need additional skills or education for success.  The most difficult part of this process is taking the first step.  Once you’ve done that, keep the momentum going and before you know it, you’ll learn more about the opportunities within the field of dentistry, you’ll learn more about yourself during the process, and you will more than likely be on your way to a new and exciting career.

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The Entrepreneur—
Trisha E. O’Hehir, RDH, BS
Tucson, AR

Business Owner
Editor
Speaker
Writer

1. Describe your current position(s).

Currently, I am self-employed as the editor and owner of Perio Reports, a dental publishing company. In its 16th year of publishing, Perio Reports produces a research newsletter that provides clinicians with periodontal news they can use. Perio Reports has also published a cartoon book for consumers called The Toothpaste Secret, which discusses the importance of dry brushing. Providing worldwide continuing education courses based on scientific research rounds out my role with Perio Reports. I am also a senior consulting editor of RDH Magazine and author of the Periodontics column. For fun I invent dental related instruments and products.

2. How did you move from clinical practice to your current position?

While still in clinical practice, I began writing articles for RDH Magazine and developing the Perio Reports Newsletter. I also conceived the idea for my cartoon book. From getting my name out there as an author, I began receiving invitations for speaking engagements. Slowly my time shifted from clinical practice to writing and speaking.

3. Did you need to further your education, start off in an entry-level position, etc?

The additional education I needed came from my membership in numerous dental and dental hygiene professional organizations, attendance at many continuing education courses, and though reading lots and lots of dental journals. I have also taken courses in book writing, book publishing, and public speaking. I also belong to professional writing and speaking groups. Networking with dental professionals, as well as those in the fields of writing, publishing, and speaking, is a great source of education.

4. What advice would you give dental hygienists who wish to move out of clinical practice but remain in the dental field?

First, identify your passion within the dental field, then look at how you can combine that with something other than clinical practice. Following your passion will give you the drive and energy to make it happen.

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Sandra K. Rich, RDH, MPH, PhD

Associate Professor
University of Southern California School of Dentistry

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be a dental hygienist.  I am an educator at the university level who started out in a 2-year dental hygiene certificate program at the University of Minnesota.  It was a wonderful launch for my career that has now spanned close to 40 years with never a dull moment. I consider myself determined, goal-oriented, and persistent I took small steps forward year-by-year in my education and found that doors never stopped opening.

I achieved a bachelor's degree at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), after moving to California on my own in 1967.  I was able to support myself by working part-time as a dental hygienist while I attained a degree in philosophy.  I choose the major because I wanted to enhance my science-based education with liberal arts background and exposure.  To do this, I made sure I had art history, political science, anthropology, geography, and English literature, along with my philosophy courses.  I credit my UCLA liberal arts education for giving me strong critical-thinking and analytical writing skills that allowed me to move smoothly toward my ultimate career stop as a dental hygiene/dental student educator.

I married my husband, Michael, an artist, in 1970 and began teaching part-time in the Cerritos Community College program in 1972 when our son was 6 months old.  The Cerritos program, directed by my mentor Dr. Ina Zive, was contracted to the UCLA dental school clinic, so I was right at home in that setting.  I started work on a master's degree in public health at UCLA in 1976 and finished in 1978 as our son was starting kindergarten.

For 6 years, I loved teaching in the community college dental hygiene program.  I gained some classroom lecture experience as well as excellent experience in clinical teaching.  After I finished my master's degree, an opportunity arose for a tenure track position at the University of Southern California (USC) School of Dentistry.  I applied, earned the position, and was honored to serve the dental hygiene program for 16 years as a full-time educator and chair (5 years). It was my extreme privilege to have worked closely with Anna Pattison, RDH, MS, who was the guiding light of the USC program, a national and international leader, and inspiration for the profession of dental hygiene.  Others in the program, such as Peggy Tsutsui, RDH, MS, were talented, dedicated dental hygienists who influenced me greatly.  In 1990, the same year our son graduated from high school, I received a PhD in education from USC.

In 1995, I was invited by Dr. Jorgen Slots to accept a challenging position at USC teaching undergraduate DDS students in the periodontology department.  Currently, at the request of Dr. Hessam Nowzari, program director for Advanced Periodontics, I am beginning an exciting new role in my career teaching residents in periodontics full-time. Every student level has been a joy for me. Always a dental hygiene educator, I now consider myself to be teaching dental hygiene to dental students.

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Rebecca Wilder, RDH, MS

Associate Professor and Director
Graduate Dental Hygiene Education
University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill

My career in dental hygiene began when I was in high school. My best friend signed up for a course where she would leave school at 1:00 pm and work in the afternoons in a dental office. I thought that sounded good so I signed up too. What a great move for me! Dentistry gave me the ambition and direction I needed in my life.

Upon graduation, I entered a dental assisting program at Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC)  in Jamestown, NC.  During the year, Mary George came to recruit for the Dental Auxiliary Teacher Education program at the University of North Carolina. She directed the Baccalaureate program that focused on producing educators for dental assisting and dental hygiene programs.  GTCC had a wonderful intern from Mary’s program and I got the idea that I would like to teach too. After graduating, I worked at the UNC School of Dentistry as a certified dental assistant training dental students how to use a dental assistant for dental procedures. I found that I loved teaching and being in an educational environment. However, I wanted the option of teaching dental assisting or dental hygiene so I went back to GTCC to earn my Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene. After gaining some experience in dental hygiene, I decided to complete my degree. At the time, UNC would not accept my credits from a community college as they do now, so I attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City for both my BS and MS degrees.

Due to a shortage of dental hygiene educators, the federal government had wonderful grants available that paid for my tuition and provided a stipend each month for me to attend school. It was an incredible experience. The seed was planted and it has continued to develop into a huge strong oak tree!  It was the first time I had lived out of North Carolina and what a great experience it was for me.  I met so many people from all over the country. Those ties have allowed me to continue meeting more people throughout the years. 

After graduation, I acquired a position at Texas Woman’s University in Denton. I taught there for 1 year before returning to UNC as an instructor in Dental Hygiene and Dental Auxiliary Teacher Education. I soon switched to a tenure track that required conducting research and writing papers. By 1986, I became director of the Graduate Program in Dental Hygiene Education. I am now teaching and educating dental hygienists from all over the country who can go into administrative, teaching, research, and corporate positions upon graduation.  In addition to my teaching and research, I had the opportunity early on to teach continuing education in a statewide system called AHEC (Area Health Education Centers). Faculty are flown out to areas of the state (away from the university) who need continuing education. I found that I loved teaching continuing education and that passion has now developed into my teaching continuing education throughout the country.  In addition, I have been involved and held leadership positions in the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the International Association of Dental Research.

Aside from my professional life, I have a husband (who is a dental academic) and four children.  This career has allowed me the flexibility to meet their needs as well as my own.

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