Kristine Hodsdon, the director of RDH eVillage, recently interviewed Carla Gantz, RDH, a dental hygiene consultant with Hygiene Fusion. Carla shares what few people know about her and her holistic attitude of success!
Hodsdon: Tell us a little about you educational background and current business.
Gantz: I have a combination of 30 years of experience as a dental assistant, clinical hygienist, treatment coordinator and business/office manager. I am also a HygieneFusion consultant, an author, webinar presenter, former clinical champion presenter with Zila/Atridox, and a volunteer speaker on oral health for the local Parkinson’s Support Group.
I am a graduate of Western Kentucky University Dental Hygiene Program, a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association — I have been active as a delegate and a participant of governing council committees — a past president of Kentucky Dental Hygienist’s Association, and 2012 Sunstar Award of Distinction Recipient.
Hodsdon: What is your success secret?
Gantz: Networking, networking, networking ... hanging out with other people of like mind ... It’s all about interacting, making contacts, exchanging cards, introducing yourself, exchanging ideas, and working together.
Hodsdon: What strengths or qualities have helped you excel?
Gantz: By not giving up, remembering life can be challenging, up on the mountain one minute and down in the valley the next minute. But isn’t that just the way of life? Doesn’t life stimulate you? Test you? Dare you? It’s all about choices, and I choose not to give up.
Hodsdon: What’s the biggest issue hygienists face today?
Gantz: Access to oral health care is a huge issue; however, it’s my opinion that the biggest issue is legislation binding what we as hygienists are educated to provide.
Hodsdon: What is the best business/career advice you have ever received?
Gantz: Follow your heart, because if you truly love your career it will never seem as work.
Hodsdon: How and or when did you get the entrepreneur itch?
Gantz: In 2008, after attending CareerFusion.
Hodsdon: Please tell us about your services.
Gantz: I am a consultant with HygieneFusion, where we fuse the science, technology, business, and communication aspects of dental hygiene like no other program. I coach in an office with the doctor and the practice’s existing hygienists; all HygieneFusion consultants are dental hygienists who know and love dental hygiene and business. For more information, contact me at [email protected] or at the website, www.hygienefusion.com.
Hodsdon: What are your best life/work balance tips?
Gantz: We have all heard this a million times, but here it is again: Take care of yourself! Not to sound selfish, and certainly not meaning to ignore people or responsibility. I discovered to ensure a balanced life means taking care of yourself mentally and physically, and avoid toxic situations. The definition of toxic is: It’s deadly, causing serious harm or death. My definition of toxic is that it will suck the life out of you. I finally realized its OK to say “no.” Exercise helps both mentally and physically; it gets the oxygen pumping throughout the body. No one else can do exercise for you. Sleep is undoubtedly the key to taking care of one self; lack of sleep will affect the brain and cognitive function.
Hodsdon: What is one thing most people do not know about you?
Gantz: In 2006, I was diagnosed with Parkinson disease. It is located in my right hand, arm, and shoulder. In July 2011, I retired as a clinical hygienist. Along with my consulting, I have developed a continuing education course about Parkinson’s disease titled, “What Do You Know About the Movers & Shakers in Your Chair.”
Hodsdon: What do you do to relax and feel rejuvenated?
Gantz: Read, swim in the summer at a lake, hang out with friends, family and attend seminars. I’m a CE geek.
Hodsdon: Do you have a favorite quote?
Gantz: “Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!” by Eleanor Roosevelt
Hodsdon: How do you define success?
Gantz: To wake up each morning with my husband, have a roof over my head with plenty of food to eat, clothes in the closet, friends, family and a career that I love.
Hodsdon: Thank you, Carla, for taking the time to share your insights with the RDH eVillage readers! Carla can be reached at [email protected] or www.hygienefusion.com.
