ADHA Access May-June : Page 25

mately 10 years for that to turn around and they became ‘Lisa’s parents,’” Doherty said. “I have been a hygienist in the River Valley community for over 30 years. Most of my patients have been with me many years. They trust me and like the way I care for their oral health. This is a two-way street, because I care for my patients and trust that they will support my business.” Doherty explained that when her schedule allows, she has to take care of the business side of the practice, adding that there are aspects of ownership she never visualized as an employee. “The business aspect has been an eye-opener. I had to glean knowledge from Dr. Cohen and read as much material as I could gather concerning bookkeeping, inventory control and management skills. I read the book ‘Small Busi-ness for Dummies’ constantly during the sum-mer of 2009, and I keep referring back to the book when I have questions. You begin to see WKDWZDONLQJLQWRWKHRI¿FHWRZRUNIRUDQRWKHU person is easy.” Doherty credits her parents, as well as Co-hen, with teaching her how to be a successful businesswoman. Her mother was named CEO of the local credit union when she was a young teen and her dad was Postmaster for their town. She said her parents taught her and her four brothers a good work ethic and how to be fair as a leader, adding that Dr. Cohen was always willing speak to her about the opportu-nities of being a small business owner. “I have learned that to be your own boss is a test of inner strength, and has a very large learning curve. I realize now that no matter how much you think you know about a subject, there is always something new around the cor-ner. I am thankful I have people in my life who were and are there to be mentors,” Doherty said. “If this is a path you want to walk, make sure you have mentors in your life to help JXLGH\RXWKURXJKWKHWLPHVZKHQ\RX¿QG yourself questioning every move you make. Becoming an IPDH is different from a tradi-tional dental hygiene career in that you have to know yourself and understand that every aspect of the job now rests entirely on you. The doctor you answered to is no longer there.” “The future holds many varied opportuni-ties for hygienists. New possibilities are there for those who want to reach for them,” Doherty said. “The possibility of independent dental hygiene when I graduated from college was a dream. That dream became real; now I can help people achieve dental health in my own practice. If you are considering this option for a dental hygiene career move, you need to be very sure of yourself and have an open avenue of communication with other dental profession-als. This is a partnership approach to oral care, not only with the patients but with the rest of the dental community.” For more information on Doherty or her ca-reer, please email her at ipdhmexico@aol.com. This edition of Working was prepared by Mariam Pera. special feature continued from page 23 that position doesn’t offer the steady work she had hoped for. “I really don’t know what’s in store for me, but I’m not upset about how things have turned out. I’ve accepted it, and I’m very happy with where I am right now.” Acceptance and moving on—these are the ways in which we cope with change. After VHOOLQJKHUEXVLQHVVLQDQGWU\LQJWR¿QG a job in dental hygiene, Sajdak realized that she would have to accept that the job market has changed, and it is better to roll with the FKDQJHVWKDQWR¿JKWWKHP ³,UHDOL]HG,QHHGHGWREHÀH[LEOHDQGRSHQWR some of these opportunities that are out there,” Sajdak said. “Previously, I hadn’t seen myself as an instructor in an academic setting, and now I’m starting to think that, with my skills and what I know and the knowledge I have gained over the years, I can be useful in a different role, and I can adjust to it. I have also taken into con-sideration my strong business background that may help me in a career involved in a corporate, sales or other business model.” And there is something to take away from this experience, of having your life shaken up and being forced to put it back together. For 'DKONH&#0f;LWKDVJLYHQKHUWKHFRQ¿GHQFHQHHGHG to succeed in transitioning to the business side of dental hygiene. For Sajdak, it has made KHUPRUHGHWHUPLQHGWKDQHYHUWR¿QGWKHMRE that is right for her. For Hall, it means being DEOHWRHI¿FLHQWO\GHOLYHUWKHEHVWTXDOLW\FDUH&#0f; regardless of where she is practicing. And for &DQWUHOO&#0f;WKHSURFHVVRI¿QGLQJDQHZMREKDV done just as much for her as it has for her career. “I have grown as a person; I have grown as a leader,” she said. Josh Snyder is staff editor, Journal of Dental Hygiene . ■ guest editorial continued from page 2 operatory and to take stock in our interests. Having a degree in dental hygiene and honing the skills developed though clinical practice and patient care affords us many transfer-rable skills: time management, negotiation, interpersonal communication, record keeping, math and, yes, writing to name just a few. Although the transferable skills might be all that is needed to take advantage of some ventures, more than likely it will be necessary to have some additional specialized training. This might be as simple as a weekend class, a week-or month-long workshop, or a year or more of formal education. Regardless, it is essential that we all examine our possibilities, be willing to do what is necessary to move towards our goals, and broaden our horizons. What is achieved may surprise and delight. Heidi Emmerling Muñoz, RDH, PhD, FAADH is a professor at Sacramento City College, former interim director, and a CODA site consultant. She is also owner of Writing Cures (www.writ-ingcures.com), a writing and editing service. Dr. Muñoz is co-author of The Purple Guide: Paper Persona and creator of the Career Development Center for Friends of Hu-Friedy. A recipient of many professional awards and distinguished recognition, she is a former columnist and con-sulting editor for RDH Magazine, co-founder of The Radical Hygienist, and has written articles and columns for a variety of publications. Dr. Muñoz can be reached at heidiemmerlingmu-noz@comcast.net. ■ ■ access MAY-JUN 2012 25

ADHA Access May-June : Page 25

Civilian Dental Corps