My shift from private practice to public health was a result of wanting greater independence in the dental hygiene decision-making process. I value the autonomy and personal responsibility that is integral to functioning in a public health setting. In private practice, you are constrained by the practice patterns of the dentist.

My day involves planning the daily schedule according to the school schedule, providing examinations, radiographs, prophylaxis, oral hygiene instructions, fluoride and sealants, providing feedback to parents, billing for the days procedures and planning for the following day.

My key daily responsibilities are scheduling, providing preventive care to students in grades pre-kindergarten through eight, interacting with parents and staff, submitting billing data and making sure that patients are completely prepared to see the dentist for treatment needs so that he can concentrate fully on restoring teeth rather than administration, data collection and submission of statistics.

My interest in becoming a state legislator came from my experience as the president and legislative chair of the Connecticut Dental Hygienists' Association. I became expert in the legislative process and quite by accident a legislator's wife asked if I might be interested in running. I have always believed in the power of education and the legislature was a logical next step in my education. With the support of the dental hygiene community, I made the decision to seek state office.

My dental hygiene education has formed the basis for my philosophy regarding health care and the important role of prevention and maintaining and ensuring quality. I also believed in using resources wisely and utilizing each health professional to their full capabilities. Every time I deal with a health issue regardless of the area, I find that prevention, quality, resource allocation and workforce issues are central to all the discussions.

My membership in the Connecticut Dental Hygienists' Association and the American Dental Hygienists' Association provided excellent preparation for entering politics. Professional associations help develop interpersonal skills, knowledge of issues, the ability to speak before groups, the ability to debate different points of view and the understanding that in organizing there is power to move an agenda. ADHA debates resolutions and holds caucuses much like the political process. The leadership roles that I took forced me to step out of my comfort zone and work for the issues I believed in. They provided a broad range of experience that has helped shape who I am today.

A dental hygienist friend literally dragged me to my first meeting and from there I realized quite quickly that unlike other professions dental hygienists worked in isolated environments and needed the chance to come together as a group. At that time they were very timid and unlikely to challenge authority. I sensed a void and sought to fill it. I am driven by the fact that I have always believed that dental hygiene was a profession and not just a 9-5 job. Professions demand commitments beyond the normal work day and a true profession fosters lifelong learning. Each meeting provides an opportunity to learn. I have always been comfortable speaking publicly. As the only dental hygienist serving in the state legislature, my experiences have been unique. In turn, those experiences have fostered requests to speak to others throughout the country.

The awards that I have received are a public recognition of the many hours which I have devoted to advancing the profession. It is especially meaningful to be recognized by your peers, because they have an understanding of the demands of being a dental hygienist. They also recognize the risks of taking a public position that is subject to strong opposition from other professions.

My favorite projects were achieving independent practice for dental hygienists in public health settings and obtaining monies that increased access to care by funding expansion of the dental public health infrastructure. Taking the opposite view of the dental profession has presented many challenges. Obtaining money in a state budget also provides serious challenges, since there are many interests competing for state dollars.

I chose the University of Bridgeport because it was the only dental hygiene school in the state and its dental hygiene program had an excellent reputation. I chose Southern Connecticut State University because of its proximity and it was one of the few schools to offer a master's in health education.

My dental hygiene education was close to a military boot camp at the time. It was very stressful. Dental hygiene education has become more humane over the years. I would also have liked more emphasis on functioning independently.

Students should consider the school's reputation, their ability to meets the demands of the dental hygiene schedule and financial needs. Certificate programs differ from schools that confer degrees by having to focus on the technical competencies necessary to provide dental hygiene services. They are more often based in community colleges.

The advantages of a degree are that degree programs provide a broader base of education that goes beyond the technical competency and that can prepare students for a more independent role. They are often based in larger setting allowing more interaction with diverse groups. The length of the program allows more time to develop critical thinking skills. Post graduate degrees allow the student to broaden their education beyond dental hygiene and into related fields. Advanced degrees are necessary for educational, administrative and public health positions.

Again curriculum is not my area of expertise, but I do know that the dental hygiene curriculum is rigorous and with its emphasis on sciences students need to come well-prepared in order to succeed. Today's curriculum must prepare students for ever expanding functions, the ability to diagnose, to make independent decisions, and to address ethical dilemmas that may be presented.

The growth of the Internet has allowed online courses, but I am a firm believer in the need for interaction between student and teacher. Teachers serve as role models and mentors. Developing clinical skills demands close teacher student interaction. I believe the Internet has a limited role.

Life as a dental hygiene student is very demanding. Be prepared for long hours and exacting preparation. The nature of the profession demands it. Without a demanding curriculum quality will be compromised. However, all of the efforts will be worth it. There are many rewards for those who graduate.

The educational system could be better changed to serve both dental hygiene and society by maintaining rigorous standards rather than diluting curriculum. Dental hygienists of the future will be likely to be practitioners with an expanded role. Those additional responsibilities will require committed students who adhere to the highest principles. Dental hygiene educators will have to tailor their instructional methods to the needs of individual students more than they do today.

The reality of a dental hygiene career can be different than expectations based on the employer. The level of decision-making is directly related to the philosophy of the employer. Often employers do not recognize the educational preparation of dental hygienists, and relegate them to a minimal role in office policy.

The best way to get a job is to speak to other dental hygienists who know the area.

Internships in our area (Connecticut) are limited; more internships would be very beneficial to students. They provide a real world experience and hands on learning.

The job market is excellent and will continue to be excellent. The diminishing number of dentists is favorable to the job prospects of dental hygienists.

The salary range is varied according to geographic area but is excellent in the Connecticut area. Unfortunately experience is not adequately compensated. However, it does give you the ability to assess your own worth and articulate it.

The issue of systemic diseases and their impact on dental health, the move toward cosmetic dentistry, the shortage of dentists, expanded functions for dental assistants and the development of an advanced dental hygiene practitioner will be emerging issues. They will all affect the dental hygiene profession.

Success can be defined in many ways but I am a firm believer that passion is necessary in any profession that you choose. It's especially important in dental hygiene because without passion the daily routine can give way to boredom. Passion encourages clinicians to go beyond the boundaries of private practice and to think globally.

Dental hygienists need to build confidence both in their clinical skills and in their decision making. They should not compromise their ethics to meet the needs of an employer. As the shortage of dentists becomes more acute, dental hygienists will be called upon to address unmet dental needs. I expect expansion of their role through the acceptance of a mid-level provider and I expect a lifelong need to update skills through continuing education.

When I graduated from dental hygiene school, I had no idea that my life would take this path. I fully expected to be a clinical dental hygienist in private practice. I would tell students not to be afraid to take risks and not to be afraid to fail. People learn through failure. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Opportunities may present themselves and doors may become open to you. Take those opportunities and open those doors. Life will be richer in the knowledge that you will gain, the people that you will meet and the experiences that you will have. Never stop learning, both formally and informally.