Career Corner: 3 hygienists describe benefits of master's degrees

Three hygienists who have earned master’s degrees at the University of Minnesota recently sat down with RDH eVillage to discuss the benefits of furthering their education.

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Brenda Armstrong

1. From your prospective what are the benefits of obtaining a master’s degree?

• Personal growth — pursuing a master’s degree affords the dental hygienist the opportunity to become fully immersed in his/her passion while emerging as an expert in the field.
• Professional growth — the master’s degree will boost your credibility, regardless of the direction your career path will take you.
• More opportunities — A master’s degree in dental hygiene can open doors in specialized fields such as education, business, research, and public health.

2. How has gaining a master’s degree supported options for an alternative career path?

I have a passion for both education and helping with the access to care issue. The master’s degree has allowed me to change my career path and follow my personal passions. As an educator, I have the opportunity to participate in a wonderful dynamic each day in the dental hygiene academic setting. Students first learn the concepts and theory of dental hygiene in the classroom with experiential learning occurring in the clinic setting. It is very gratifying to watch a student move from knowledge, to application, to synthesis of professional, preventive oral care. Adding to this dynamic, a patient from the community, who most often greatly needs oral care, is provided a service that improves their health. Both the student and the patient benefit from the experience and I am fortunate enough to be the academic dental hygiene professional that facilitates the learning and service.

3. What motivated you to pursue your master’s degree in dental hygiene?

My motivation stemmed from the love of learning, the desire for self-improvement, and wanting to participate in the growth of the dental hygiene profession through academic activities. Dental hygiene has been an enduring passion and a vehicle for lifelong learning. I graduated from Weber State University with an associate’s degree in dental hygiene in 1984 and bachelor’s in dental hygiene in 1999. After 24-plus years of clinical dental hygiene practice, I decided to pursue my masters of dental hygiene from the University of Minnesota, graduating in January 2010.

4. Why did you choose UMN for your master’s degree?

The dental hygiene program at the UMN Dental School is well regarded, demonstrating success among students, faculty, and research. I wanted to participate in a program that would allow me to benefit from face-to-face instruction and academia socialization delivered in an atmosphere of proven achievement. In addition, I knew that UMN would provide a well-balanced educational experience with research, clinical and didactic teaching, and dental hygiene academic leadership.

5. What advice would you give a prospective master’s degree candidate?

Persistence is key to finishing the degree. When trying to balance family and work life while attending graduate school, I would remind myself that degree completion would only occur with an attitude of persistence and knowledge that the outcome would only make me a better dental hygienist.

Carol Dahlke

1. From your perspective, what are the benefits of obtaining a master’s degree?

A graduate degree allows opportunities in dentistry and beyond that otherwise are not available. The process of obtaining a graduate degree is in itself very valuable. One learns that they can achieve what may feel like an insurmountable task. A master’s degree helps you to gain confidence to perform at higher levels than you previously thought possible. You are able to expand upon your critical thinking, writing and organizational skills.

2. How had gaining a master’s degree supported options for an alternative career path?

A master’s degree gave me flexibility in seeking opportunities outside of clinical dental hygiene. With a degree that focused on management, I was able to pursue options in the business arena of dentistry. I never considered those opportunities prior to gaining my graduate degree. I took classes in marketing, operations, statistics, teaching methodology, accounting and leadership. These classes gave me the skills I needed to be eligible for an alternative career path. I use the knowledge I have gained from the required classes on a daily basis. I am thrilled with the curriculum that was required for me to earn my degree.

3. What motivated you to pursue your master’s degree in dental hygiene?

I enjoy new challenges. I was a 2006 recipient of Sunstar/RDH Award of Distinction. I had met amazing dental hygienists who had their master’s degrees. One of my professors had her doctorate degree. I wanted to feel the respect that I felt towards them. I wanted more in my life than clinical dental hygiene. I was ready for something new and exciting although I had no idea what that would be. I did not have a position in mind other than continuing what I had been doing — teaching at the SOD.

4. Why did you choose UMN for you master’s degree?

The University of Minnesota has given me “my passport to life.” I did not consider anywhere else when I thought of getting a graduate degree. The Carlson School of Management is world-renowned for its business programs. I felt it would be an honor to be able to attend classes there. The faculty at the school are very supportive and were great mentors to me. It was also exciting to be part of the first class as this program was in its infancy in 2008.

5. What advice would you give a prospective master’s degree candidate?

The sky’s the limit with this degree! It will be what you make it. Networking is important at this stage of your career, so plan on attending national meetings and learning what you can. Ask questions! Continue to advance the future of dental hygiene with your skills and knowledge. Reach out to those of us that have paved the path for you. We love to share what we have learned. Take classes that you might not typically consider as you might find a passion that you were not aware of. I had no idea that I would enjoy the business aspect of dentistry as much as I do. Numbers were not my thing. Now they are my world. The master of dental hygiene program is amazing and has given me opportunities to pursue dreams I never felt were achievable in clinical dental hygiene.

Kim Johnson

1. From your prospective what are the benefits of obtaining a master’s degree?

It adds additional breadth and depth to your professional knowledge and experience. It integrates your studies with individuals who are at the leading edge of your field of study. And, there is a sense of personal achievement. I now realize the true value of a master’s degree is that is has laid the base for my own future career in the health sciences.

2. How had gaining a master’s degree supported options for an alternative career path?

It opened networking opportunities with health professionals in exploration of my ability to collaborate interprofessionally in education and research. It provided me with a new skill set that expanded my opportunities beyond education and afforded me the ability to critically analyze and broaden my options for employment. The interpersonal networking opportunities I encountered propelled me beyond the traditional scope of academic teaching. I continue to utilize my teaching and clinical experience in my new position as a dental research coordinator. My master’s degree gave me confidence that I could be successful in any future endeavor.

3. What motivated you to pursue your master’s degree in dental hygiene?

Initially, I returned to school for a master’s degree to maintain my teaching position at the University of Minnesota. But, quickly I realized it was for my own personal growth. I am a life learner. I believe that one needs to continue evolving in their professional field of study or you become stagnant. The health science world is ever changing. If you don’t continue to expand your knowledge base with current theory you cannot be an effective practitioner. My master’s degree introduced me to a wide range of opportunities inside and outside my professional circle.

4. Why did you choose UMN for your master’s degree?

The University of Minnesota is world renowned in its reputation for excellence in both education and research. The master’s in dental hygiene program had an education component, and I was teaching dental hygiene part-time at the University of Minnesota at the time I researched programs. The program was adaptable to my lifestyle, and it had full-time or part-time options for degree completion. It had a combination of both classroom and online learning components and included coursework in collaboration with other University programs. The University of Minnesota master’s in dental hygiene program introduced me to opportunities within dental health research that I hadn’t previously been exposed to or considered as a field of study. The faculty members were well respected in their field and the camaraderie I developed with fellow students and professors provided me a support system and special bond that will continue over time. I love claiming I am a University of Minnesota alumnus!

5. What advice would you give a prospective master’s degree candidate?

Remain open to the wide range of opportunities presented in the University of Minnesota’s master’s degree in dental hygiene program. There are many benefits to being on campus and a part of the greater University community. Make it customizable to your own personal and professional lifestyle and goals. The program is challenging yet achievable for any dental hygiene professional. But most importantly, enjoy the journey of self-exploration. You never know where it will take you!