Click here to become a featured Dimensions reader!
Older Reader Profiles are available here.
|
|
|
ALL ABOUT YOU! g Jeff Leary, RDH from North Port, FL What type of practice do you work in? General Where did you attend hygiene school? Manatee Community College What do you love about dental hygiene? The interesting people you meet and the lives you touch through patient education. I love the feed-back patients give on a return visit about personalized suggestions that were made and how it helped them accomplish what would otherwise have gone unchanged in poor or mediocre oral home care. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I want to see hygiene services become more available to the public through Unsupervised Dental Hygiene 'Practices' by allowing hygienists "Autonomy of Practice" like the great state of Colorado. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Patient faithfulness. What are your professional goals? To continue to evolve and grow with the profession. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? Autonomy of Practice. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Fitness and the great outdoors.
g Elyse Rowley, RDH from St. George, UT What type of practice do you work in? General Where did you attend hygiene school? Northern Arizona University What do you love about dental hygiene? Changing patients lives through educating them about oral health and overall health. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Going to hygiene school soon after high school graduation and finishing a BS degree. What are your professional goals? To help with volunteer work in the community with fluoride programs. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Traveling.
g Marilyn Kjosen, RDH from San Antonio, TX What type of practice do you work in? General practice Where did you attend hygiene school? Temple University What do you love about dental hygiene? I love the people contact and the ability to improve their overall health through dental hygiene. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Lasting in the profession for 36 years and still enjoying going to work every day.
g Crystal Sonn, RDH, BSDH from Chester, CT What type of practice do you work in? General Practice What do you love about dental hygiene? I love interacting with people! Some people want no interaction with their hygienist and others love interaction. Each patient is like a breath of fresh air and more than a just a patient in my chair. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? I haven't been practicing for too long but I'd say my biggest accomplishment thus far would be having my patients tell me they appreciate me being thorough after I have just completed and oral cancer exam... and then thanking me for caring about their health!
g Jane Weiner, RDH from Tamarac, FL What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? My biggest accomplishment thus far has been being able to touch and help so many people both in private practice (detecting two oral cancers and one patient who was bleeding internally) as well as helping students around the country. When I see the light bulb go off in a student's head and they finally "understand it" just gives me the best feeling inside. Seeing them achieve what some of them thought to be impossible and knowing that I have had a small part in helping them achieve that accomplishment makes it all worthwhile.
g Jennifer Rado, RDH from Ocala, FL  How many years have you been in practice? 11What type of practice do you work in? General / Cosmetic Dentistry Where did you attend hygiene school? Delaware Tech and Community College, Dover, DE What do you love about dental hygiene? There is so much that I love! I love the one on one relationships I get with my patients, seeing improvements in oral health each recall, becoming an advocate for my patients dental and overall health... What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I would love to see hygienists get more respect from the dental community. I think we are on our way, just not there yet. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Every time my patients oral health has improved because of my help is an accomplishment I relish. What are your professional goals? Someday, I would like to get involved in Dental Forensics in some way. Forensics has always interested me and what an awesome thing to be able to incorporate my two interests and make a living. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? I would like to have dental hygiene services more available to the communities that fall into the cracks, not quite poverty level. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Hanging with my three sons! g Deborah Dopson-Hartley, RDH from Tampa, FL  How many years have you been in practice? 28What type of practice do you work in? Comprehensive Restorative and Aesthetic Practice Where did you attend hygiene school? Pensacola Junior College What do you love about dental hygiene? Being given the honor to help patients who have entrusted me as their other health care provider achieve health from disease and keeping them there. Nothing compares to that. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I would like to help our profession understand that there are costs attached to doing our business. Once those are understood then we can really have what we need to do deliver the excellence that we are all committed to. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Becoming a professional speaker and writer. This allows me the opportunity to help mentor and share my experiences and successes others in our profession. What are your professional goals? From teaching business courses to hygienist and dental offices for so many years I have discovered that many hygienist/dentist do not truly comprehend the costs connected with doing our business. I want to help others understand and realize their future is in their own hands. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? That we can mentor and pass the passion of hygiene to the new gradutes so they can enjoy our profession as long as I did. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Traveling, hiking, skiing, underwater diving andything outside
g S. Dupuis from Windsor, WI How many years have you been in practice? 21 What type of practice do you work in? Retired Where did you attend hygiene school? WI What do you love about dental hygiene? The patients, the need to constantly learn, new technology. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? More recognition for RDHS. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Public speaking. What are your professional goals? Though retired, I promote dental health every chance I get! What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? More independence & choice of practice venues for RDHs. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Women's traditional Native American dancing.
g Crystal D. Short from Atlanta, GA  How many years have you been in practice? 12What type of practice do you work in? General Dentistry Where did you attend hygiene school? Columbus State University, Columbus, GA What do you love about dental hygiene? I love the interaction I have with my patients. I get satisfaction from educating and motivating people to improve their oral health. It is such a great feeling to have a patient return for a recall visit and to see that they took your advice and made postive changes in their home care. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I think that hygienist's play a far greater role in diagnostics than we are given credit for. I am fortunate to work for a dentist who allows me to participate in the diagnosis/treatment of our patients. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? I have been with the same practice for almost 10 years now and I love that some of my patients are like family to me now. What are your professional goals? I continue to strive to be the best that I can be for my patients. I am constantly looking for ways to improve the care that I give to my patients. I try to educate myself about the latest trends in Dental Hygiene, including available products and resources to patients. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? I hope that more states will adopt the indirect-supervision law that will allow more hygienists to use the knowledge and skills that they have obtained. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Fitness and lifting weights, travel and spending time with friends and family.
g Dina Canasi, RDH, BASDH from Tampa, FL  How many years have you been in practice? 26What type of practice do you work in? Private practice. Where did you attend hygiene school? Saint Petersburg College What do you love about dental hygiene? I love the patients and every aspect of caring for them, but I have a deep affection for working with students and colleagues. I am entering the Masters in Dental Hygiene Education program at UM-KC in the fall. I look forward to advancing in education so I may aid the expansion of dental hygiene in the future. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I would like to improve the vision dental hygienists have on their futures. I want hygienists to view this profession as having endless opprotunities for those seeking positions beyond clinical practice. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? The designing of an educational program accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation for underprivileged children. This presentation has been utilized by 14 elementary schools and non-profit organizations in my area, and two international facilities. What are your professional goals? To pursue a graduate degree in dental hygiene so I may obtain the necessary credentials and education that will allow me to deliver continuing education presentations, publish works in the field, and to promote professionalism and advancements in dental hygiene. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? Advancement in a direction that will bring hygienists the recogntion and support they deserve, and to open doors for those that will lead. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Batching homemade organic soaps, dusting powders, and splashes.
g Wendy Williams, RDH, BS from Yorba Linda, CA  How many years have you been in practice? 14 years RDH 5 years RDAWhat type of practice do you work in? Temp once a month Where did you attend hygiene school? Loma Linda What do you love about dental hygiene? I have been able to cut back my days with each child I had, now I have three and stay home, temping once a month to keep active. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? Wish I could work school hours. The 10 hours day were to hard on my family. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? I worked for 13 years in one practice, I have enjoyed the letters from pateints since I have left. We have no idea how we have become part of so many peoples' lives. What are your professional goals? I want to start the RDHAP program in the fall. I would like to start my own business, so I have flexiblty for my young children. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? I hope we can give back to our community. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Raising chickens, gardening, Playing outside.
g Linda Jorgenson, RDH, BS from River Falls, WI How many years have you been in practice? 37 (yikes!) What type of practice do you work in? Dental Hygiene Education and occasionally - general dentistry. Where did you attend hygiene school? University of Minnesota – Minneapolis What do you love about dental hygiene?The best thing is the patient interaction. It is especially rewarding to be part of individuals' lives in such a positive way. Some people forget how important the health and appearance of the face and mouth is until it is affected by disease. I love being in a position to help people have better health and appearance. Naturally - as health care providers we are primarily interested in the health aspects of what we do, but patients are usually more interested in how they look and it makes them so happy when they have a more beautiful smile. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I believe that hygienists should be permitted to practice dental hygiene with fewer restrictions as to place and supervision. We absolutely need to establish self-regulation throughout the country as the norm, rather than the exception. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? For decades I have been active in ADHA and Wisconsin-DHA and served in many leadership roles including WDHA president, secretary, treasurer, component delegate; for ADHA I have served as annual session delegate, ethics committee member and chair, public health council member. But I think my biggest professional accomplishment has been my employment as the director of a dental hygiene education program. What are your professional goals? To mentor the next generation of dental hygienists and watch them become uber-professionals... To become a Restorative Expanded Functions hygienist in the state of Minnesota... To provide care to underserved populations in a community clinic as a volunteer. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? That it is recognized and respected as an essential and true health-care profession. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Playing with our grand-children Vivian, Eilee, Dylan, Taylor and Christa.
g Patti Milam, RDH
What do you love about dental hygiene? I work with many special needs children and their parents. I love helping anxious and scared children become proud of themselves as they realize what they can accomplish. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? I would love to see the profession of dental hygiene gain increased autonomy and work toward a scope of practice similar to that of a nurse practitioner. What are your professional goals? I am on my way to completing a bachelor's degree in Allied Health. I am now working on a research project that studies the career satisfaction of dental hygienists in Ohio. I would like to enroll in a master's degree program next year at Cleveland State University. I would love to get more politically active within the American Dental Hygienists' Association component in Ohio. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? I make bracelets and give them as gifts, which may turn into a new business venture later on. I also do photo scrapbooks. I am the historian for the Cleveland Dental Hygienists' Association. g Cindy Sharp, RDH
What do you love about dental hygiene? I love the people part of the work. My patients are so interesting and I learn so much from them. It has been such a wonderful career helping people achieve better oral hygiene. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? I find the time constraints frustrating. I hate feeling rushed when I am trying to deliver complete dental hygiene care for my patients. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? My love for the outdoors lead to my second career as a women's adventure planner. After planning many adventure weekends for friends, they encouraged me to start my business—Women's Weekends, Inc. I plan adventure weekends for the average woman, including kayaking, hiking, biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and more! It is a blast meeting new women and introducing them to outdoor adventures. It also keeps me limber enough to practice dental hygiene for years to come! g Patricia Brinkman, BSDH, MS
What do you love about dental hygiene? I love the patients! I like teaching and motivating people how to improve their health. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? I feel that I am an accomplished clinician. No fancy titles are necessary. I get the job done and I love seeing the results of my work. I do what needs to be done, even if it is providing a listening ear for a patient. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? Besides my children, it's a toss-up between my music and sewing. I play the piano and sing. And I love the creative energy I get by designing projects with my sewing. I recently "dressed" a doll for a benefit auction for the senior center in our town. She's a toothfairy! g Lynn Southerland, RDH
What do you love about dental hygiene? The patients! I love listening to their stories. I feel it is an honor to help them improve their health. What are your professional goals? To continue to learn more. I want to become more informed about the latest advancements in dental hygiene. I also want to help bridge the gap between hygienists. I work in an office with only one dental hygienist so I do not communicate with other hygienists very often. I think it is very important to remain in contact with our colleagues. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? I want to see the end of the feud between dentists and dental hygienists. The two positions complement each other when everyone works as a team. We all have the same goal—to improve the oral health of the community. I also hope the advanced dental hygiene practitioner position proposed by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association becomes a reality. g Dorothy Dixon, RDH
What do you love about dental hygiene? I love how my career has evolved from clinical chairside hygiene to dental hygiene instructor to nonprofit educator. I enjoy teaching underserved preschool children and their families about dental health. Even though the positions I have held are different, the goal of each is still the same—making people aware of the importance of oral health. What are your professional goals? My goal now is to reach as many families and children in my area in order to educate them about dental health. Our program also works with a local dentist in the area who provides free care days to children in need. In a perfect world, our program would help all of the children who need dental care. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? I would like to see less restrictions on the dental hygiene practice act so we can improve access to care across the board. Dental hygienists could be reaching out to more populations if the restrictions were eased. g Sandra M. DiSanto, RDH
What would you like to change about dental hygiene? I want dental hygienists to be respected as health care professionals instead of cleaning machines. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? I feel that I am an accomplished clinician. No fancy titles are necessary. I get the job done and I love seeing the results of my work. I do what needs to be done, even if it is providing a listening ear for a patient. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? I hope to convince some of my high school-aged patients to consider dental hygiene as a career. We are very short handed. I hope to work for as long as I am physically able. g Linda Bohacek, RDH MA CDHC from Eau Claire, WI What type of practice do you work in? Public health and veterinary dental hygiene. Where did you attend hygiene school? Southern Illinois University, Carbondale What do you love about dental hygiene? Networking and learning through dental hygiene colleagues. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I would like dental hygienists to join ADHA and become active in organized dental hygiene. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Being the first dental hygienist in my city to be hired by the Eau Claire City County Health Department to deliver preventive oral health programming and services. What are your professional goals? To be an advocate to the underserved and work toward establishing private and public partnerships so that all children can have access to dental care. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? Expansion of scope to truly practice how we are educated to practice and to practice to our full potential. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Golfing and boating. g Belinda Beck, RDH from Coahoma, TX
What type of practice do you work in? General Dentistry Where did you attend hygiene school? Howard College, Big Spring, Tex What do you love about dental hygiene? Interaction with people and enhancing their lives through health. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I would like to see changes in the rules and regulations by giving dental hygienists the freedom to administer local anesthesia and own dental hygiene practices that work closely with dentists to ensure that patients have the choice to go where they want and the freedom to take responsibility and be a partner in their health decisions. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? I helped start a scholarship at Howard College . Alice Haynes (general dentist and director of Dental Hygiene at Howard College ) was my mentor and someone who I looked up to since I was a child. She lost her battle with cancer and I wanted her name to go on at Howard College for all time. This scholarship is given a 2-year student every year. I have also been fortunate enough to teach dental hygiene at Howard College for 6 years. What are your professional goals? My professional goals are to change the way dental hygiene is delivered in common practices. I have recently graduated from massage therapy school and would like to incorporate this therapy into my dental hygiene routine. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? I hope that the dental hygiene profession will only go forward. I hope that hygienists and dentists will become more open minded when it comes to how treatment is delivered and how the relationship between dentists and hygienists is crucial to the profession of dentistry as a whole. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? I love practicing massage therapy! g Cheryl Short, RDH from Waukesha, WI What type of practice do you work in? Private General Practice Where did you attend hygiene school? Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis What do you love about dental hygiene? Patient interaction and the opportunities to educate patients about their oral health and how it relates to their overall general health and quality of life. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I think as a professional group we need to develop a standard of compensation that takes into account: education, years of work experience, and continuing education/advanced degrees. I do not believe a recent graduate should be able to receive the same compensation as someone who has been in the field for years. I believe we are hurting our profession by not developing a structure that pushes people to continue to improve and educate themselves in their field and rewards them for doing so. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? A 24 year career as a dental hygienist and the many lives I have impacted as a caring health professional. What are your professional goals? To continue working with my patients to improve not only their oral health but general health. To continue to educate myself on the latest technologies and products to provide the best care for my patients. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? Continued growth as a profession with recognition of our contributions as health care professionals. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Reading and gardening g Amada Rizzi, RDH from Riverside, CA How many years have you been in practice? I graduated from hygiene school in January 2005! What type of practice do you work in? I currently work as an RDA in a general dentistry office. I don't know where I'll end up as a hygienist. Where did you attend hygiene school? San Joaquin Valley, Rancho Cucamongo What do you love about dental hygiene? I love working closely with patients. I feel like I make a difference in their health and in their lives. I can't tell you how many times I have found undiagnosed high blood pressure in my hygiene school clinic. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I don't think I am qualified or experienced enough to answer this yet. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? GRADUATING and getting a great score on National Boards! What are your professional goals? After passing my state board, I really want to go back to school and get a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? That we will be appreciated by dentists and patients alike for the care we provide. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Listening to live music! g Ann Beazizo from Everett, WA How many years have you been in practice? 5 What type of practice do you work in? Private Practice Where did you attend hygiene school? Lake Washington Technical College, Kirkland , Wash What do you love about dental hygiene? Working in the health care field with set hours. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I would like to increase the awareness and benefits of water fluoridation. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Motivating patients to change home care and diet to improve health. What are your professional goals? To influence the public to better understand water fluoridation. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? With an increased influence with patients, hygienists will better educate the public on overall health and benefits of better health to reduce disease. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Crafts g Ann Dohm, RDH from Eau Claire, WI How many years have you been in practice? 19 What type of practice do you work in? A general practice with four dentists. Where did you attend hygiene school? North Central Technical College, Wausau, WI What do you love about dental hygiene? I love people and making them healthy. I also like the continual growth in the practice of hygiene and dentistry. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? Less under the control of the dentist. Having our own governing board. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Still working in the dental field for 25 years and not getting burnt out. I started as an assistant. I still feel challenged. What are your professional goals? To continue in general practice and continue to provide excellent care to my patients. Also to keep attending continuing education to better my skills and knowledge for my patients and myself. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? To be able to practice on our own if we choose. And to have our own dental hygiene board. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Reading g Ayda Wehbe Khuri, RDH from Germantown, TN How many years have you been in practice? 3 What type of practice do you work in? General Where did you attend hygiene school? University of Tennessee What do you love about dental hygiene? That it combines science with the human element. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? To raise it to a new level of public perception. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? I have brought many patients to a higher level of understanding oral care. The successful outcome is really delightful. What are your professional goals? To take my knowledge and education a step further and apply them to more comprehensive community projets. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? Better public recognition and respect. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Being in nature. g Carol S. Logsdon-Brenner, RDH from Louisville, KY How many years have you been in practice? 26 years What type of practice do you work in? A group general practice Where did you attend hygiene school? University of Louisville What do you love about dental hygiene? From the time I was 10 years old, I loved sewing. I love the fact that dental hygiene clinically challenges my motor skills while academically it challenges my mind. I love feeling like my services are a vital part of the success of our practice. I love feeling that the way I treated a patient may have a positive impact on their day or how they perceive dentistry. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I never have understood why dental hygienists, like nurses, have a license but, unlike nurses, do not have as many options or opportunities. In Kentuky, there are many areas that are underserved ie, geriatrics, low-income, rural, Appalachian. I believe that having a dental hygienist available to screen (possibly in schools, hospitals, retirement communities) and refer these groups is better than no care at all. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Early in 1990, Dr. O.Wayne Mortenson and I took a STM course from ProDentec. On Monday morning I began providing nonsurgical perio treatment. It defined who we were and turned our practice into a cutting edge, productive office. It was a paradigm shift and made us think outside the box before such terms were the norm. Believe me, we caught our share of flack from the surrounding dental community, but today we are still on the cutting edge of dentistry. As a member of The Crown Council we continually strive to set new standards. With over 100 employees this year we can elect to become part owners in probably the only employee stock option dental office in the country. What are your professional goals? I will soon be 50 yrs old and my youngest child just turned 16. My professional goals are to continue to assist in the growth of our company and to help the young dental hygienists who struggle with taking time off with young children and working. In order to assist in the growth of the company, I sometimes work in more than one of our satellite offices and I opted to work the evening hours when most of our young mothers need to pick up children from daycares. Often times I struggled with feeling guilty for not being home when working and guilty when home for not being at the office. I'm working to change that in our organization. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? That dental hygienists can pick their work environment. For some it might be a home with a clinical office, for others it might be managing the dental health of a half dozen nursing homes...While others might elect to work for or in partnership with a dentist. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Church, family, interior designing and decorating, entertaining, volunteer work, biking,walking-running, reading, music g Cheryl Thomas, RDH from Galveston, TX How many years have you been in practice? 12 What type of practice do you work in? Public speaker/author Where did you attend hygiene school? Tarrant County College, Hurst, Tex What do you love about dental hygiene? I love that it is an everchanging vocational field, where if you are up to the challege, you can grow with it. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I would like to see uniformity of permitted functions throughout the United States. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Writing/publishing professional information. What are your professional goals? To encourage my colleagues to collaborate with our medical colleagues that will in turn provide better care for our patients. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? Advanced research that will enhance the host defense response to periodontal disease. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Travel, cooking, and volunteering for the Southwest Transplant Alliance. g Christine Klausner, RDH from Ann Arbor, MI What type of practice do you work in? Dental school pracitce Where did you attend hygiene school? University of Michigan What do you love about dental hygiene? Patients What do you want to change about dental hygiene? Lack of self-regulation What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Assistant professor at the University of Michigan What are your professional goals? Clinical research What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? Self-regulation What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Reading g Cindy, RDH from Lapeer, MI How many years have you been in practice? 4 What type of practice do you work in? General Where did you attend hygiene school? Mott Community College What do you love about dental hygiene? The ability to meet many different types of people and learn from them. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I would like to change the opinion of some patients that routine visits are not important. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? I haven't practiced for very long but I would have to say achieving my anesthetic certification. What are your professional goals? My next goal is to become nitrous certified and then my bachelor’s. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? More freedom and responsibility in the types of duties and services that patients need. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? I enjoy anything outdoors and time playing with my family. g Connie George, RDH from Concord, NH How many years have you been in practice? 30 What type of practice do you work in? Educational Where did you attend hygiene school? NHTI, Concord, NH What do you love about dental hygiene? Impacting the health of individuals and teaching developing practitioners or the future of dental hygiene What do you want to change about dental hygiene? Easier transfer of licensure between states What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Master's degree and former presidency of NHADHA What are your professional goals? Become more proficient in promoting the profession to students and community What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? Wider recognition of how we can contribute to health care services What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Crafts g Cyndy Durst, RDH, EFDA from Cortland, OH How many years have you been in practice? 20 What type of practice do you work in? General with two dentists Where did you attend hygiene school? Youngstown State University What do you love about dental hygiene? I love the opportunity to meet and interact with so many people and so diverse a population. I learn something from my patients every day. I try to give something of benefit to each of them every day. I feel so privileged to have their care entrusted to me. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I would like to modfiy the supervision laws so that hygienists would be able to work more in less traditional settings and provide more services to that huge population that has no access or funds for dental treatment, especially children and the chronically ill. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? After 20 years, I still love my profession and look forward to serving the patients' needs daily. Maintaining my enthusiasm, commitment, and desire to help patients and be a better person and hygienist daily is my biggest professional accomplishment. What are your professional goals? I would like to continue clinical practice while continuing my education to become a dental hygiene educator. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? That it will not be “dumbed down” into a preceptorship situation and will gain more respect for what professional, well-educated hygienists do for their patients. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? It is so hard to choose! Being outdoors—exercising and gardening. g Dawn Fausner, RDH from Carlsbad, CA How many years have you been in practice? 14 What type of practice do you work in? General dentistry Where did you attend hygiene school? Clayton State College/University in Georgia. What do you love about dental hygiene? I love the opportunity to meet and help people from all walks of life. If I can help make their day better by sharing or giving in some small way, I feel great. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I think the public needs to be educated about all of the new advanced products out there like lasers. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Using laser technology and completing a course by LVI on sterilizing periodontal pockets without pain. What are your professional goals? I want to practice as long as I physically can and help other hygienists to do the same. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? Better job security. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? Puppies/Golden Retrievers, gardening, and running. g Debbie J. Solberg, RDH from Plentywood, MT How many years have you been in practice? 9 What type of practice do you work in? General Where did you attend hygiene school? Wahpeton, ND What do you love about dental hygiene? The patients What do you want to change about dental hygiene? Licensure to cover the whole United States What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? Helping perio patients get the disease under control. What are your professional goals? To continue teaching oral hygiene to patients who have not had the education. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? To be able to work on our own with out the dentist controlling our income and benefits. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? NASCAR racing and refinishing antiques. g Debbi Viger, RDH from Crystal Lake, IL How many years have you been in practice? 19 What type of practice do you work in? Currently Temping Where did you attend hygiene school? Parkland Junior College What do you love about dental hygiene? There are so many facets to patient care and education that every day presents new and exciting challenges. What do you want to change about dental hygiene? I wish hygienists would spend more time volunettering services to increase access to care and become more involved in their local hygiene component. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far? I strive to learn somthing new everyday to keep hygiene fresh and intriguing. What are your professional goals? I am looking for a master's program that would allow me the ability to teach as well as continue to direct patient care. What do you hope for the future of dental hygiene? INCREASED ACCESS TO CARE FOR ALL WITH THE BEST TREATMENT METHODS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. What is your favorite nondental hygiene past-time? I love spending time with my extended family. I believe there is nothing more important than the love and support of each family member. |
How many years have you been in practice? 3
How many years have you been in practice? 2 years as an RDH and 6 years as an infection control coordinator
How many years have you been in practice? Almost 43 years (WOW)
Hailing from North Royalton, Ohio, Patti Milam, RDH, has been a dental hygienist for 12 years and currently works in a pediatric practice. A graduate of Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio, she has also taught dental hygiene at her alma mater.
A dental hygienist with 27 years' experience, Cindy Sharp, RDH, lives in Lake Orion, Michigan, and works in a general practice. She graduated from Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan.
A hygienist for 24 years and a graduate of University of Nebraska Medical College in Omaha, Patricia Brinkman, BSDH, MS, now resides in Shickley, Nebraska, and works in a general practice.
Hailing from Killeen, Tex, Lynn Southerland, RDH, has been a dental hygienist for 17 years and currently works in a general practice. She graduated from Tyler Junior College, in Tyler, Tex. In her free time she enjoys playing on the computer.
An advocate for children’s oral health, Dorothy Dixon, RDH, has been a dental hygienist since 1984. A graduate of Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC, she currently works as an oral health educator for the Partnership for Children’s Dental Health, a nonprofit organization in Rock Hill, SC.
This Boston resident has 30 years of experience as a dental hygienist. A graduate of the Forsyth Dental Hygiene Program in Boston, Sandra M. DiSanto, RDH, works in general practice. She enjoys tap and jazz dancing along with sewing and design in her spare time.
How many years have you been in practice? Almost 34 years
How many years have you been in practice? 11
How many years have you been in practice? 24<< Back to Top