Our monthly student roundtable discussion episodes are dedicated to help you navigate the at-times turbulent waters from graduation to full employment in dental hygiene. For this installment, we’re shining a light on hygienists who’ve devoted a significant part of their careers working in the public health and nonprofit sectors.
Kyle Isaacs, who previously appeared in episode 87 of A Tale of Two Hygienists, has three decades’ experience as a dental hygienist. She’s spent the last five years working in the public health field as part of Miles 2 Smiles, which provides dental hygiene to patients who normally have difficulty accessing it.
Amy Hazelwood has worked in dental hygiene for over 40 years and started the nonprofit Dr. Angie’s Dental Health Exchange, which offers care to uninsured, unemployed and low-income patients.
Jennifer Hasch graduated from her hygienist program six years ago and has worked both publicly and privately. Currently, she’s the dental services manager for the Shawnee Christian Healthcare Centre in Louisville, KY, where she provides care to communities negatively impacted by segregation.
In this episode, our enthusiastic roundtable guests discuss what drew them to professions in the public health sector, explain why public and nonprofit services are so vital, and make a case for why you should consider a career outside of private or corporate practice.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
Interview starts: 3:08
– What experiences and values motivated Kyle, Amy and Jennifer to work in public health.
– How Amy’s nonprofit uses community service to build credit for its dental care.
– Are there any barriers preventing graduates from obtaining a position in public health services?
– The hurdles Amy had to clear in order her own nonprofit, and the challenges graduates interested in nonprofit work should consider.
– Jennifer defines what an F.Q.H.C. is, explains what services it provides and lays out the guidelines it must abide by.
– Kyle relates her new role working in an integrative office and what she hopes to achieve there.
– Which populations do each of their clinics specifically cater to?
– The range of benefits graduates can expect from private, corporate and nonprofit practices.
– Diving into the connections and experiences that volunteer work can provide.
– Why you should give public health work genuine consideration as a career path.
QUOTES:
“When I graduated from hygiene school I went right away to that same place where I had gotten care as a child and volunteered.”
“I went into public health because of the need that I saw.”
“I was fortunate enough to go to the dentist every six months as a kid, so I didn’t really connect that people could suffer from a lack of access to care.”
“It’s kind of one-stop shop for health.”
“[F.Q.H.C.] gives folks a stake in their own health care, which I think is important.”
“It’s gonna take just as much time to correct these issues as it did to create them but we’re definitely committed for the long haul.”
“I feel like I’m very well paid for the work that I do and it’s definitely a rewarding position.”
“Do not underestimate the potential of your impacts in this career.”
LINKS:
Dr. Angie’s Dental Health Exchange – https://www.drangies.com/
Dr. Angie’s email: info@drangies.com
Amy’s personal email: amyhaz7@yahoo.com
Miles 2 Smiles – http://milestwosmiles.com/
Kyle’s email: kjulin@gmail.com
RDH On a Mission – https://rdhonamission.com/
Jennifer’s email: jennifer@rdhonamission.com or jennifer.hasch
Be sure to thank the sponsor for this episode by heading over to www.PDTDental.com and picking up a new instrument or telling them thank you in person at one of the conferences!
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