ADHA Access — July 2012
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Strive
Senior Class of 2012 Student Responses to the ADHA Environmental Scan
Why did the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) conduct the environmental scan?
“ADHA conducted this environmental scan to discover and investigate trends and issues forecasted for the dental hygiene profession,” responded Erica Snow.
“The Dental Hygiene at the Crossroads of Change, Environmental Scan 2011-2012, by Marsha Rhea and Craig Bettles, discussed six important change drivers that potentially could add or alter the dental hygiene profession,” added Arlicia Taylor, explaining that the six change drivers are:
• future opportunities for dental hygienists
• expanding access and ensuring equity in oral health care
• harmonization of practice
• growth of for-profit schools and corporate education
• technology advances in oral health, and
• the aging workforce.
Erica Nelson noted, “ADHA will also use this scan to make strategic decisions about the association’s priorities, programs, and services.”
For you personally, what is the most relevant part of this report?
Both Taylor and classmate Whitney Auerbach thought that, for them, the issue of a single clinical examination for licensure was central to the report.
“I think it is important for there to be a single clinical examination versus taking multiple examinations depending on where you reside,” said Auerbach. “It will allow hygienists to move and practice freely without the stress of taking another examination.”
“A single or universal examination will allow hygienists to share their scope of expertise statewide and potentially worldwide, and the ability to move and practice freely without the burden of strategically planning to take various boards to cover multiple states,” said Taylor.
The two classmates also agreed on the significance of new workforce models. “I find it intriguing that the dental hygiene field has come so far that there are now dental therapists and dental hygiene practitioners,” said Auerbach.
“This is a great opportunity for dental hygienists to expand outside of our scope of practice.” “These two new career paths prove change is attainable for the betterment of dental hygiene and that the field is ever-changing,” said Taylor. “It is vital as a dental hygienist to stay current and informed of the latest changes, as this could affect job security or increase the need for dental hygienists. More importantly, this study confirmed the scope of practice for dental hygienists permits more responsibility that would aid in caring for the public.”
For Lyndsey Johnson, the most important part of the scan addresses expanding access to care. “Low socioeconomic status and lack of education are the biggest barriers to care,” she said. “This scan explains how dental hygienists need not only to be a good communicator but also culturally diverse to reach out to every population.”
“I found the most relevant portion of this scan pertains to the technology advances in oral health,” said Nelson. “It will be critical for dental hygienists to have the technical skills to operate new advances in technology. After reading in this scan that dental hygienists will need to keep current on new technologies for care, I do realize how important it will be for me as a recent graduate to stay current with all technology.”
“For me, collaborations and leadership positions of the dental hygienist were the most important parts of the report,” said Caroline Noel. “Collaborations will be effective and help more people to access care.”
“The most relevant part of this scan for me is the overall meaning—education and willingness to change with the profession,” said Snow. “I am already interested in getting my master’s in dental hygiene, so this scan just enforced the need for me to further my education and continue my membership in the ADHA. This scan made me think of a book I read called Who Moved My Cheese? By Spencer Johnson. This book is all about change and how to handle it. I think that this book will come in handy for many hygienists now and in the future. We all need to be able to change and ‘move with the cheese.’
Did this report change how you see yourself as a hygienist? If yes, what will you do in your career to embrace these opportunities?
“This report definitely changed how I see myself as a dental hygienist,” said Nelson. “Before reading this scan, I felt that I would graduate and work in a traditional private clinical setting. However, the scan has given me hope that dentists and legislators greatly value our clinical abilities. This discussion about expanding dental hygienists’ scope of practice and pushing for a national clinical exam has provided me with the information about the possible future for diverse types of work and a greater control over my own career path.”
Nelson said she hopes to complete a master’s degree program and possibly conduct oral health research. “I am unsure about what I plan to pursue in dental hygiene, but research, management, education or company representative are all options that I have explored. I definitely want to embrace some of these opportunities presented in the environmental scan.”
Taylor said that the scan did not so much change her perception as motivate her to continue to seek higher education in dental hygiene. “ADHA is a great avenue to start as well as a great tool to keeping members informed,” she said. “Furthering my education will create more opportunities and expand my career responsibility as a licensed hygienist. To embrace these upcoming opportunities, it is vital that I continue to stay active as a student ADHA member and upon graduation, continue membership as an active licensed dental hygienist. Staying informed and being active would allow firsthand opportunities, and would allow me to be a voice to the local community, colleagues and patients on various changes and improvements.”
“I feel after reading the scan that it did, in some ways, change my mind about how I see myself as a hygienist,” said Johnson. “The low numbers of the population receiving dental care need to rise, and in order to do so, I feel that educating the public is the most important component. I feel that a big part of the reason people do not receive care is lack of knowledge about how important their oral health truly is. If more people understood the ‘trickling’ effect between oral and overall health, they may be more motivated to access care in some way. I want to go out and educate the public on the importance of dental care and guide them in the right direction to receive care, or better yet bring care to them!”
Auerbach, too, said the scan changed her perception of herself as a dental hygienist. “I am more eager to pursue my education in dental hygiene so I can expand my job duties as a licensed hygienist,” she said. “To embrace these upcoming opportunities, I find it imperative that I continue to stay abreast all the current technologies available and continue to research and study all information related to my field so I can educate patients, my peers and myself.”
“This report has made me more excited to become a hygienist,” said Noel. “Leadership roles available to a hygienist would be a great way for hygienists to be utilized in other areas. Collaboration with the medical field is where I think a hygienist could serve a true purpose towards education, and providing better access to care for the public/ patient.”
Snow said she is extremely excited for the future of dental hygiene. “Being a little older than the other members of my class, I find this scan reassuring. As I age and become unable to clinically perform on a daily basis, it is wonderful to know I can take on other roles that can impact not only patients, but the dental hygiene profession as well. I hope to one day be a leader to engage other dental hygienists and groups to work towards expanding the scope of practice for dental hygienists and increasing the world’s access to dental care.”
This edition of Strive was compiled from student essays assigned, collected and submitted by Kelly T. Williams, RDH, MSDH, CDA, assistant professor, Thomas Nelson Community College.
Why did the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) conduct the environmental scan?
“ADHA conducted this environmental scan to discover and investigate trends and issues forecasted for the dental hygiene profession,” responded Erica Snow.
“The Dental Hygiene at the Crossroads of Change, Environmental Scan 2011-2012, by Marsha Rhea and Craig Bettles, discussed six important change drivers that potentially could add or alter the dental hygiene profession,” added Arlicia Taylor, explaining that the six change drivers are:
• future opportunities for dental hygienists
• expanding access and ensuring equity in oral health care
• harmonization of practice
• growth of for-profit schools and corporate education
• technology advances in oral health, and
• the aging workforce.
Erica Nelson noted, “ADHA will also use this scan to make strategic decisions about the association’s priorities, programs, and services.”
For you personally, what is the most relevant part of this report?
Both Taylor and classmate Whitney Auerbach thought that, for them, the issue of a single clinical examination for licensure was central to the report.
“I think it is important for there to be a single clinical examination versus taking multiple examinations depending on where you reside,” said Auerbach. “It will allow hygienists to move and practice freely without the stress of taking another examination.”
“A single or universal examination will allow hygienists to share their scope of expertise statewide and potentially worldwide, and the ability to move and practice freely without the burden of strategically planning to take various boards to cover multiple states,” said Taylor.
The two classmates also agreed on the significance of new workforce models. “I find it intriguing that the dental hygiene field has come so far that there are now dental therapists and dental hygiene practitioners,” said Auerbach.
“This is a great opportunity for dental hygienists to expand outside of our scope of practice.” “These two new career paths prove change is attainable for the betterment of dental hygiene and that the field is ever-changing,” said Taylor. “It is vital as a dental hygienist to stay current and informed of the latest changes, as this could affect job security or increase the need for dental hygienists. More importantly, this study confirmed the scope of practice for dental hygienists permits more responsibility that would aid in caring for the public.”
For Lyndsey Johnson, the most important part of the scan addresses expanding access to care. “Low socioeconomic status and lack of education are the biggest barriers to care,” she said. “This scan explains how dental hygienists need not only to be a good communicator but also culturally diverse to reach out to every population.”
“I found the most relevant portion of this scan pertains to the technology advances in oral health,” said Nelson. “It will be critical for dental hygienists to have the technical skills to operate new advances in technology. After reading in this scan that dental hygienists will need to keep current on new technologies for care, I do realize how important it will be for me as a recent graduate to stay current with all technology.”
“For me, collaborations and leadership positions of the dental hygienist were the most important parts of the report,” said Caroline Noel. “Collaborations will be effective and help more people to access care.”
“The most relevant part of this scan for me is the overall meaning—education and willingness to change with the profession,” said Snow. “I am already interested in getting my master’s in dental hygiene, so this scan just enforced the need for me to further my education and continue my membership in the ADHA. This scan made me think of a book I read called Who Moved My Cheese? By Spencer Johnson. This book is all about change and how to handle it. I think that this book will come in handy for many hygienists now and in the future. We all need to be able to change and ‘move with the cheese.’
Did this report change how you see yourself as a hygienist? If yes, what will you do in your career to embrace these opportunities?
“This report definitely changed how I see myself as a dental hygienist,” said Nelson. “Before reading this scan, I felt that I would graduate and work in a traditional private clinical setting. However, the scan has given me hope that dentists and legislators greatly value our clinical abilities. This discussion about expanding dental hygienists’ scope of practice and pushing for a national clinical exam has provided me with the information about the possible future for diverse types of work and a greater control over my own career path.”
Nelson said she hopes to complete a master’s degree program and possibly conduct oral health research. “I am unsure about what I plan to pursue in dental hygiene, but research, management, education or company representative are all options that I have explored. I definitely want to embrace some of these opportunities presented in the environmental scan.”
Taylor said that the scan did not so much change her perception as motivate her to continue to seek higher education in dental hygiene. “ADHA is a great avenue to start as well as a great tool to keeping members informed,” she said. “Furthering my education will create more opportunities and expand my career responsibility as a licensed hygienist. To embrace these upcoming opportunities, it is vital that I continue to stay active as a student ADHA member and upon graduation, continue membership as an active licensed dental hygienist. Staying informed and being active would allow firsthand opportunities, and would allow me to be a voice to the local community, colleagues and patients on various changes and improvements.”
“I feel after reading the scan that it did, in some ways, change my mind about how I see myself as a hygienist,” said Johnson. “The low numbers of the population receiving dental care need to rise, and in order to do so, I feel that educating the public is the most important component. I feel that a big part of the reason people do not receive care is lack of knowledge about how important their oral health truly is. If more people understood the ‘trickling’ effect between oral and overall health, they may be more motivated to access care in some way. I want to go out and educate the public on the importance of dental care and guide them in the right direction to receive care, or better yet bring care to them!”
Auerbach, too, said the scan changed her perception of herself as a dental hygienist. “I am more eager to pursue my education in dental hygiene so I can expand my job duties as a licensed hygienist,” she said. “To embrace these upcoming opportunities, I find it imperative that I continue to stay abreast all the current technologies available and continue to research and study all information related to my field so I can educate patients, my peers and myself.”
“This report has made me more excited to become a hygienist,” said Noel. “Leadership roles available to a hygienist would be a great way for hygienists to be utilized in other areas. Collaboration with the medical field is where I think a hygienist could serve a true purpose towards education, and providing better access to care for the public/ patient.”
Snow said she is extremely excited for the future of dental hygiene. “Being a little older than the other members of my class, I find this scan reassuring. As I age and become unable to clinically perform on a daily basis, it is wonderful to know I can take on other roles that can impact not only patients, but the dental hygiene profession as well. I hope to one day be a leader to engage other dental hygienists and groups to work towards expanding the scope of practice for dental hygienists and increasing the world’s access to dental care.”
This edition of Strive was compiled from student essays assigned, collected and submitted by Kelly T. Williams, RDH, MSDH, CDA, assistant professor, Thomas Nelson Community College.
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