RDH Spotlight
Andrea Tresner, RDH, MSDH, ECP III is a full-time dental hygiene educator at Concorde Career College in Kansas City, MO. She teaches clinic III and IV, special needs, research, dental office management, and a boards review course.
Andrea began her journey at Wichita Area Technical College, dental assisting program in Wichita, KS. She graduated in 2001 and returned as an instructor from 2009 – 2011. She then attended Flint Hills Technical College in Emporia, KS and graduated in 2012. The following semester she transferred to Wichita State University to complete a BSDH in 2013. She recently earned her Master of Science in dental hygiene from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
What made you decide to get your BSDH?
I knew that I wanted to go back into teaching and have other opportunities in dental hygiene, plus I also wanted to have the personal achievement of obtaining a BSDH. I’ve always wanted a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene!
How did you get your foot in the door teaching at Concorde?
In 2013, I started as an “as needed” evening dental assisting instructor, while I worked as a clinical dental hygienist in public health during the day. A few months later, I started working in the dental hygiene department as a clinical instructor. In 2018, I transitioned into a full-time dental hygiene teaching position at Concorde.
What other activities (RDH related) are you involved with outside of your current job?
I lead dental team’s internationally on mission trips and have co-founded a non-profit organization to gather supplies for our trips. I also co-chair my local ADHA association component. I also volunteer in my community at dental events or fund-raising events for dental clinics or services.
Who had the greatest influence on your education and/or career path?
I can’t pin point one particular person. I’ve had so many mentors along the way; teachers, employers, other hygienists! I also try to learn from everyone, even those with less dental experience than me. Everyone has something they can teach me!
How was the transition from clinical practice to educator (if applicable)?
I had already taught dental assisting prior to dental hygiene school, so that transition was familiar. It was challenging however, since I was teaching at a different level and on a larger scale. I also had only been a clinical hygienist for three years when I first started teaching in the dental hygiene clinic, so I was a little intimidated. Once I started working with students though and found it fun, I eased right into the position.
What advice would you give to other RDHs seeking to advance their careers?
DO IT! And don’t wait. Work on it at your own pace. You will learn more than you ever imagined. The BSDH degree and MSDH degree education that I received where the most fun, thought provoking, and educational of all my courses! Each level of degree required more work and lots of time, but I couldn’t be more proud of any achievement, as my advanced degrees. So many doors have opened because of them and they have helped me be a better clinician and to understand dental hygiene, public health, and research better.
To learn more about the program visit our dental hygiene website.