#RDHSpotlight
Doreen Eyler RDH, BSDH, ECPIII
Describe your educational journey.
- Marshalltown Community College – Certified Dental Assistant 1979
- Hawkeye Tech Waterloo, Iowa concurrent with
- The University of Northern Iowa – Applied Science Degree – RDH 1981
Where and when you completed advanced degrees?
- Wichita State University BSDH – Degree completion 2010
- Extended Care Permit III – UMKC 2013
- Certified Dementia Practioner - Comfort Care Homes Memory Care
What made you decide to get your BSDH?
As I worked at GraceMed, I saw the need to have a BSDH when I had students that came thru our clinics getting that degree also. I knew there were no differences in the tests we took in order to get your RDH nor the salary we obtained. BUT!! I really saw the need for the next level of education. I really was pushing for the Dental Therapist! I want this (or wanted) this degree so bad! I knew I was going to need that BSDH to build on. I was in on the early talks of this degree. The Dental Therapist degree needs a BS to build on for a Masters Degree. Now that this degree is not in my grasps any longer, I still feel like the BSDH is needed in order for me grow into whatever I want it to as I “mature” thru my years as an RDH.
Describe your current employment.
- Where do you work? GraceMed Health Clinic, Inc.
- When did you start working with current employer? Dec 2005
- What do you do at your current employment? Clinical hygiene, Satellite hygiene, outreach hygiene, manage all aspects of the dental hygienists and staff – from Topeka to Wichita.
What other activities (RDH related) are you involved with outside of your current job?
I am a member of the Wichita, Kansas and American Dental Hygiene Organizations. I used to participate in all levels of these organizations. Now I just support and attend CE’s. I am involved with Give Kids a Smile Wichita/Sedgwick County for 10 years at GraceMed, KMOM (Kansas Mission of Mercy), classroom education, participate with our Satellite schools in extra activities, Union Rescue Mission dental care with volunteer DDS, Special Needs dental education after hours in group homes etc., Special Olympics Dental Director for the state of Kansas. I also travel to Special Olympic events, call my RDH friends in that area and do dental screenings/education/sports mouth guards. I traveled to Austin, TX for Special Olympics training. Dental Champion Class V- 2012
Who had the greatest influence on your education and/or career path?
LOL….my dentist. I was the worst patient!!!!! My parents would go to the waiting room while the DDS would fill a tooth, pull a tooth or do that crazy cleaning and fluoride tx. I remember thinking that there has to be a better way to handle patients like me!!!!!
During my dental assisting externship, I noticed there was another operatory where people were good friends, laughing, dental education, and the DDS pretty much left her alone! I became friends with her in the sterilization area. I would help her as much as I could.
Maggie Smet RDH ECP II was in nursing homes! I loved attending her CE’s but couldn’t yet see myself in nursing home care! In 2005, Dave Sanford reached out to me. I had put my name in with the Bureau of Oral Health – Marcia Manter and Kathy Hunt - as someone who would like to learn more about ECP. He was in the Dental Champion Class at the time and he was given my name. Dave already knew me but did not know I was an RDH! I had done school dental screenings on my days off. Nurse Nadine at Lawrence Elementary got me excited about helping these kids! I saw terrible decay and felt defeated. When Dave said he would like to try an ECP in a safety net clinic, I said “yes”. Here we are!
How was the transition from clinical practice to supervising?
The hardest part was when I had to become a supervisor/manager over people I worked side by side with. I had a huge learning curve and feel like I am still learning every day. Its not easy to learn everyone’s love language and how to be an encourager. It easy to concentrate on the things that are wrong and not right.
What advice would you give to other RDHs seeking to advance their careers?
Our career is on the brink of changing into choices to take your education. Sometimes I still wonder what I want to be when I grow up. You do not have to become a DDS or a University Professor but listen to others who are now doing other careers in the health field. Get in groups of other dental professionals. See where they are and what they do differently than you!
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