Scholarship allows recipients to examine dental hygiene options

Last month, we read about Kimberly Bell, RDH, BS, a dental hygiene student who received one of the two Sonicare Career Flow Scholarships to attend the 2007 Career Flow Retreat. This month, RDH eVillage will feature an interview with Angela Morris, the other scholarship recipient.

Philips DAP North America, maker of the Sonicare power toothbrush (a href="http://www.sonicare.com/default.asp">www.sonicare.com), has been a proud supporter of the dental hygiene profession for many years. Philips strives to continually acknowledge the importance of the dental hygienist in patient treatment and overall health. Through the Professional Relations and Professional Education Departments (each managed by a dental hygienist), Philips provides corporate sponsorship to associations and speakers, as well as quality continuing education through the Professional Education team. Philips was one of the first companies to maximize opportunities through educational marketing. The Sonicare Career Flow Scholarship winners were provided with complimentary tuition, accommodations, transportation, and meals.

The Career Flow Retreat is a professional development opportunity for hygienists who want to be introduced to options within dental hygiene beyond the clinical chair. (Visit www.educationaldesigns.com.)

Kristine Hodsdon asked Angela Morris some questions about the January Career Flow Retreat in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Hodsdon: How did attending the 2007 Career Flow Retreat alter the way you set or move forward with your career goals?

Morris: The 2007 Career Flow Retreat provided me with direction for my future goals. Prior to going to Career Flow, my goals were very general, and I did not have all of the specific details planned as to how I was going to achieve my goals. During Career Flow, I learned some important steps I can take in my career to enhance my progress in achieving my goals. Steps such as submitting articles for publication and arranging public speaking engagements within my community are beneficial and important to me. I have set a goal to graduate with my MSDH from Old Dominion University on May 5, 2007, and Career Flow enlightened me to opportunities that I should become involved in while I am completing my degree.

Hodsdon: What was your biggest motivator in submitting your essay for consideration?

Morris: My biggest motivator in submitting the essay was to improve myself. The Career Flow Retreat flyer that was attached with the Philips Sonicare e-mail listed four areas that would be addressed: professional writing, consulting, public speaking, and sales. In addition, Career Flow would provide a wonderful opportunity to network with successful professionals. My motivator was that since I am new to the profession, just having graduated in May 2006 with my BSDH, I needed information and help on improving my professional writing, consulting, sales, and public speaking skills. Also, I wanted to network and develop friendships with dental hygiene professionals, and the Career Flow Retreat flyer stated that I would have the wonderful opportunity to do so.

Hodsdon: What do you consider the most innovative "secret nugget" you gained from the Career Flow experience that you would like to share with fellow students/hygienists?

Morris: The most innovative "secret nugget" I gained from my experience with Career Flow is that learning and growth occur when you step outside of your "home comfort zone." It's easy to go through life only doing what you are comfortable with, but learning and new experiences will not occur that way. Three comfort zones were discussed at Career Flow: the home, learning, and panic zones. A "secret nugget" I'd like to share with others is that putting one foot in the "learning zone" and one foot in the "panic zone" results in progress.

Hodsdon: How did you react to the notification that you had won the Sonicare Career Flow Scholarship?

Morris: I was very fortunate to receive a phone call from Gail Stoops at Philips Sonicare, informing me that I had won. An e-mail was sent prior to the call; however, I had not received the e-mail and was extremely excited and speechless when Gail gave me the news. I was at my parents' house celebrating Christmas early, so after I found out, I was able to share my exciting news with my entire family. I knew I was going to have an experience of a lifetime and was extremely excited for Career Flow to begin! I am very grateful to Philips Sonicare for giving me the opportunity to experience Career Flow. I would like to thank Gail Stoops and Noel Paschke, both from Philips Sonicare, for their kindness, generosity, and humor.

Hodsdon: When you are not thinking about, studying, or practicing dental hygiene, what do you do to relax?

Morris: My husband and I enjoy taking our 2-year-old golden-lab retriever for walks and to play ball in the park. I enjoy curling up with a blanket and watching movies at home in my pajamas too. Another relaxing activity for me is eating at restaurants I have never tried before and experiencing a variety of ethnic dishes. If the weather is warm, I love to go camping, fishing, and swimming with my family at Lake Anna in Virginia.

Hodsdon: How did Career Flow affect you?

Morris: Career Flow affected me on a level much greater than professional development. The experience impacted me personally as well, because the interactions that occurred with professionals at the conference were invaluable, amazing, and unforgettable. The knowledge I gained from Career Flow helped me improve my professional competence, and the networking I shared has influenced my career goals. Career Flow was an experience I will not forget.

Hodsdon: What would you like to say to our readers?

Morris: I would like to encourage readers to take advantage of opportunities that arise in life, because everything that happens has a purpose. If I hadn't written a one-page essay, I would not have had the chance to interact with the wonderful professionals who attended Career Flow. And if I had not attended Career Flow, I would not have improved some valuable skills — such as public speaking, professional writing, sales, consulting, and networking — that have enhanced my professional competence.

Hodsdon: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Morris: In five years, I see myself being involved with oral care research. My area of specialization for my Master's of Science in Dental Hygiene degree is research, which has always been an interest of mine. I also hope to have several publications in professional journals, and I want to provide oral care presentations within my community, wherever my community may be. In five years, I hope to be more involved and active within professional organizations and within my community.

Angela Morris, RDH, BSDH, is a full-time graduate student working on a Master's of Science in Dental Hygiene with plans to graduate in May 2007. The American Dental Hygienists' Association Institute of Oral Health funded her thesis research project, which she will defend to her committee in the spring. In addition, Angela won an ADHA Institute
Scholarship for 2005/2006 and received a Bachelor's of Science in Dental Hygiene from Old Dominion University in May 2006. Throughout her academic endeavors, Angela has been nominated into several honor societies, including Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, Golden Key International Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and Alpha Eta Honor Society. Angela was nominated as the Gene W. Hirschfeld School of Dental Hygiene Outstanding Student of the Month for February 2005. Further, she graduated with a 4.0 in dental hygiene and received Old Dominion University's School of Dental Hygiene Proctor & Gamble Academic Achievement Award in 2006. Angela spent the summer of 2006 as a co-op dental hygiene intern at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Oral Care Research & Development Department. She spent 10 weeks working on improving her research and development skills. Her experiences at Pfizer have strengthened her desire to become involved within corporate dental hygiene. Angela's goal during Career Flow was to connect with dental health professionals and improve valuable skills, such as public speaking, sales, and professional writing. She loves learning innovative and exciting information that will enhance her skills and benefit the dental hygiene profession.