Citizens in the dental hygiene community

Access, July, 2008 by Anne Gwozdek

You become a member of the dental hygiene professional community the moment you are accepted in your dental hygiene program. What a privilege it is! But just like any community, in order to flourish, it must be nurtured. Your classmates, fellow students in your program and your faculty are your contacts in this initial dental hygiene community experience. In a world that is fast-paced and often self-focused, developing skills to be "good citizens" in this community may get lost among the massive priority list.

--Danie Furgeson, RDH, MS, ADHA Manager of Student Relations Keynote Address to University of Michigan Dental Hygiene Students, September 7, 2007

In her keynote address at the University of Michigan's (UM) "Building Our Community" Fall Kick-Off, Danie Furgeson, RDH, MS, spoke these words of empowerment. Danie, ADHA's first ever manager of student relations, was just weeks into her position when she was approached by Audrey Stratz and Nikia Taylor, co-chairs of UM's event. Identifying ADHA as a key component of our professional community, Audrey and Nikia decided who better to deliver this message than Danie?

Wearing a hard hat to acknowledge the theme of community-building, Danie not only provided her inspirational words but also networked with officers of the class and the UM student chapter of ADHA, as well as faculty advisors during breakfast before the Kick-Off. After the Building Our Community activities, Danie mingled with the UM students and faculty. It was an opportunity to put a "face" with ADHA, stated Audrey Stratz.

But that was only part one of the weekend! On Saturday morning, September 8, 2007, selected student leaders were offered the opportunity to attend a student leadership workshop hosted by Danie. She engaged students in exploring their roles as change agents, encouraging them to see themselves in this role as students. The morning's session included topics such as negotiating/ advocacy, association fiscal responsibility, public speaking and professional writing. Students had opportunities to break out into small groups to discuss professional topics, continuing the networking process initiated in the "Building Our Community" event the afternoon before.

Brittney Bickmeyer, from the class of 2010 shared, "Not only was the [Student] Leadership Workshop a great learning experience, it also helped me meet junior and senior student dental hygienists. We had the opportunity to hear why they got involved with [student membership in ADHA], and how they contribute to the organization. It was an inspirational workshop that motivated me to become a part of a great organization."

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Kelly McVey, also a member of the class of 2010, commented, "I came away from this workshop understanding that no matter what role I choose to take on in the future, there is a place for me in dental hygiene. More importantly, there is a place for me as a student right now! We can help influence big changes that will affect us as professionals after we graduate. I learned that it is never too early to begin networking and that we are the future of dental hygiene. We are saying we care about our profession and helping to facilitate changes that are crucial to our professional future just by becoming members."

Michelle Comber, president of the UM dental hygiene class of 2008, stated, "I wish we had this event several years ago when I began the program. I have a greater understanding of [student membership in ADHA], professional resources, and feel better connected with members of all three classes."

At the end of the leadership workshop, and months of planning, co-chair, Nikia Taylor stated, "This was a wonderful opportunity for my fellow UM classmates to demonstrate that they are change agents as students. We can take this energy to our personal lives and professional careers."

Anne Gwozdek, RDH, BA, MA, is a Co-Advisor of the University of Michigan student chapter of ADHA, clinical lecturer and degree completion e-learning coordinator at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.