June 2007

Nancy Miller, RDH, BA

"I had a tremendously great reaction from both colleagues and patients. Dr. Swanson, who I mentioned in the opening, e-mailed me to share that he had been given two copies of the magazine and that he was so proud of me he could burst! My brother called MH and asked for a copy he could frame for his office.  My clients and colleagues from all over e-mailed me with kudos on it, and my friends and patients were impressed, saying they found out things about me they didn’t know. I am working right now to book continuing education lectures in my area of expertise —ultrasonic instrumentation—and will continue to consult with Jameson and practice clinically in Green Bay. The whole experience of the MH mentor story was very rewarding and fun for me.  Thanks for the great opportunity."

March 2007

Theresa Myers, RDH

"Being on the cover was great—I had lots of positive feedback—and I’d do it again in a heartbeat! CAESY even contacted me (they saw the) about ideas for patients. I even had the Illinois State Dental Society president and friend, Dr. Dean Nicholas, call and ask me to be at the grand opening of their new dental office! In family news: Our daughter, Brannan, is a freshman at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. She has an undecided major at this point, and we are offering her our total support on whatever career she decides.  No mention of going into dentistry…yet! Our son, Collin, is a junior in high school has been on the golf tournament circuit this entire summer.  He has been playing in weekly tournaments in and out of state, so I have devoted my summer to being his personal driver and No.1 fan. As for me, I just finished writing an article on how our practice has started making custom CD’s for patients using different segments from the CAESY System presentations. The first one we created discusses the office, staff, and what to expect on a first NPA (new patient appointment) visit. After that appointment we customize a CD explaining their overall dental health and presenting suggested dental treatment. For example, if, based on what Mitch has diagnosed the patient needs a crown and root canal, those videos will appear on the CD. This way, they can watch at their leisure and discuss with family members. We started implementing the idea this spring. We’ve also worked towards starting a “free” clinic for patients in this area without medical insurance.  The founder of this clinic, Dr. Donald Morehead, is a patient of ours. Dr. Morehead has been consulting with Mitch on starting up a small dental clinic within this medical clinic to aid in the people who do not have dental insurance. Right now, he is working on funding; we hope to get this up and running within the next year. People often have to drive 40 miles to be seen at a clinic and wait up to a month to be seen and treated. I still love my job, even if it is only on a limited basis. I was fortunate enough to put my family first this summer to spend precious time with them."

Stephanie Pietrantonio, RDH

Stephanie is now a contributing editor for Modern Hygienist, with a column focusing on cosmetic dental hygiene.

January 2007

Rachel Neu, RDH

"I would definitely say that my patients have been very excited to see that I was featured in the magazine.  They seem to have already sensed that they were getting good quality care, but feel that this gives our office, particularly our hygiene department, more credibility. This spring, I attended the AACD seminar in Atlanta. It was a very good program that motivated me to start learning how to integrate new technologies such as a soft tissue laser into our practice and possibly the VELscope.  This summer, one of my colleagues and I attended the International Federation of Dental Hygienists meeting in Toronto. What a great experience! On a personal note, I will be going to Honduras in September for two weeks.  A friend of mine is originally from Honduras and is letting me tag along with her as she visits her family.  We will be staying in a small, rustic village for a while, will travel to the capital, stay in a hacienda later, and spend time both on the coast and on the islands off the coast. The trip will be about two and a half weeks and should be awesome.  I might even be able to check out Honduran dentistry, as my friend’s uncle is a dentist. Could be interesting. Other professional projects include the update of our office’s Web site.  I have been officially made our office’s “marketing liason” and have been working on overseeing the revamping of the site.  This step is enough of a time investment, but follows weeks of consulting many local and national design companies to find a good fit for the project.  Further, I have been attending more local community meetings such as the our local chamber’s sessions in an effort to more effectively market our office. My goal for the coming year is to write an article for Modern Hygienist."

November 2006

Lisa Higbee, RDH, BS

"I was nominated during the Second House of Delegates and elected to one of the four positions of the ADHA Ethics Committee. It is a two-year office and I am the first Idaho Hygienist (that we know of) to ever hold an office in the ADHA. Isn’t that cool? I am sure that a fair number of people voted for me because they have seen my name or made the connection with Discus, Breath Rx, and Modern Hygienist. I just want to say, this past year has been such an exciting, life changing time for me. You have allowed me to soar to heights I didn’t think I was capable of. Thank you for taking a chance and believing in me. I am honored to represent not only Hygienists and the ADHA, but Discus and Modern Hygienist as well. I am empowered by the confidence you have in me and thank you for your dedication to the wonderful profession of dental hygiene."
Note: This year, Lisa also received the Idaho State University Kasiska College of Health Related Professions Distinguished Alumni, Professional Achievement Award. Only two other hygienists have ever received this award in the history of ISU.

Tara Buda, RDH

"No big personal or professional changes right now. I am still working for three private practices in the Naperville area, all of whom were very excited about the cover! I actually had a couple of people (hygienists) from around the country call me and leave messages on my voice mail regarding volunteering and mission work. They found the number through my bridal business, which is still very busy as well. In the next year, I am hoping to find/be able to attend another mission trip as well as volunteering some of my time at a dental clinic in one of the local homeless shelters. Thank you for the opportunity to be on the cover of the magazine. It was a great experience."

Kim Anzalotti, RDH

"I emailed my patient, Bill Wilson, to determine his most recent status. He is 42 months in remission! He was excited to report that he was able to be part of a TV/radio commercial produced for Martin Memorial Hospital, the facility where he had his cancer treatment. The commercials were aired on all major channels and radio stations. He is still active in the cancer support group at Martin Memorial and, according to him, is still fortunate to have the “best dental hygienist in the business.” After the article in the Modern Hygienist, Bill contacted the Stuart News, a local daily newspaper, and told his story there, so a small article was printed locally as well. What a good way to get the word out to the public about oral cancer. On my end of things, I have still maintained my high standard of care and receive new patients almost daily. I am still working through the teenage years of my daughters as a single parent. I continue to support the ADHA and take many continuing education classes. Thanks for continued support!"

Judith Dember-Paige, RDH

"I have written a dental curriculum (about to go to print) with an elementary school teacher that goes along with “Smile Wide Look Inside,” the children’s dental book; it is literacy-based, elementary dental education. The book itself is being translated into Spanish. At the time of my profile, I was working in a periodontal office, but have since switched back to pediatric dental specialist, Dr. Ann Madigan. My own children are growing older: Dember, 17, graduated from high school; Eileen is 15, Matthew 13, and Toni Marie 10. My husband is a retired NYC firefighter. Being a mentor with Modern Hygienist, and now a contributing editor, has been very encouraging for me. It has helped me to think more seriously about how I can make a difference for someone else. In that vein, I’ve gone on to become a board member of my local hygiene component and have renewed passion for encouraging fellow hygienists to join their association. Attending meetings such as SCN, Speaking and Consulting Network, has helped me make a commitment to my personal growth. I’m having a great time through all that I am learning, and my goal for the coming year is to do more lecturing."

Vanessa Huenten, RDH

"Basically I have been asked a lot of questions. Sometimes a few other hygienists have noticed me in a practice. Most of my family members wanted to see it and have a copy to show their friends. I keep a copy for one of the practices I work for and patients like to see that the hygienist that cleans their teeth is on a cover of a magazine. It’s exciting and fun and I’m glad I had the opportunity."

Vonda Manley, RDH, MS

Crosstex International, leading global dental infection control and single use disposable products manufacturer, has acquired Ms. Manley’s company, Strong Dental Products Inc, the pioneering manufacturer of comfort cushioning and protective devices for X-ray film and digital X-ray sensors. According to Andrew Whitehead, VP of Sales and Marketing, “Strong Dental Products perfectly complement our new Patient’s Choice product line. With Ms. Manley joining the Crosstex family as resident hygienist, we will develop an even broader range of innovative and convenient patient comfort and infection control products to enhance the efficiency and safety within the dental community.” Ms. Manley originated the innovative category of comfort cushions and barrier sleeves for dental imaging devices as a way to solve the problems experienced during her personal patient interaction. “I created a line of products to address patient comfort issues while protecting the sensitive equipment.  I believe that Crosstex can take these unique products and open them up to an even wider market, helping to further my commitment to improve patient care.” All Strong Dental products will now be available through the Crosstex network of distributors, along with the full line of Crosstex Patient’s Choice products.

January 2006

Colleen Rutledge, RDH

"What have I been up to since I published my last article in December 2006?  This is a timely question as I have experienced both personal and professional changes. I’ll start with personal challenges as they impact my professional decisions and future goals as a dental hygienist and business owner. Balancing career and family is a precarious dance that eludes many professional women.  Many of us become inadvertently torn between devoted wife/mother and career—becoming too busy to recognize the demands made on us. Often times this leads to losing sight of what is truly important to us. Caught completely off-guard, I was unprepared and woefully ignorant of the demands that running Perio-Therapeutics & Beyond (www.perioandbeyond.com) would place on me.  The culminating strain caused my personal life to suffer.  I was forced to take a good look at myself and reprioritize my career goals in order to regain control of my personal life. I decided to reduce the amount of time I was spending doing clinical hygiene and volunteering – which allowed me to shift my efforts to the consulting portion of my business and spend more time with my family. I also needed to increase my exposure to prospective clients (dentists).  I feel this is easily accomplished by publishing my articles in a magazine that dentists read regularly.  I am currently writing a monthly column for Doctor of Dentistry, a magazine which circulates to 15,000 dentists in the DC and Maryland area. I have limited the amount of dental conventions and work on the exhibit floor to four per year.  You can look for me at the ACTEON booth at these major conventions: ADA, AAP, Chicago Midwinter and Greater New York. Please stop by and visit me! I continue my efforts to support ADHA – focusing my time to the Membership Services Council of PDHA.  I have developed a “membership mentoring program” in my home state of Pennsylvania.  This program “sponsors” new or renewing members with a $50 donation from Perio-Therapeutics & Beyond.  Fifty dollars is applied to annual dues when a hygienist becomes a member on the day of the course where I am the speaker.  I am proud to say at least a dozen hygienists have taken advantage of this offer! Lastly, I am often asked how I got started in consulting and speaking.  My answer is always the same: the Speaking Consulting Network!  Membership in this group catapulted me from six-days-a-week clinical hygienist to the speaking-consulting arena!  It literally shaved 10 years off the “learning curve” by connecting me with an influential and supportive network of writers, speakers, and consultants in the dental industry.  I recently was invited to join the Advisory Board of the Speaking Consulting Network (www.speakingconsultingnetwork.com) which is a three-year term. The essence of Modern Hygienist magazine strives to provide professional information with threads of personal insights and self-growth.  We are individuals as well as hygienists; striving to better ourselves in our personal lives and our careers.  I am grateful for the opportunity to share the lessons I learned ongoing journey in dentistry and in life."

Help us choose future mentors! Have you or a dental hygienist you know made a difference in a patient's life or achieved outstanding career goals? Send your suggestions to tcarter@advanstar.com.