Meet RDHSpotlight Shanin Peck RDH, MA, ECP-II
Describe your educational journey.
I graduated from Wichita State University Dental Hygiene program in 2002 with an associate’s degree. Then I was able to further my education by earning a bachelor’s degree at the Wichita State University Degree Completion program in 2012. I later attended graduate school to obtain a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from WSU in 2014.
What made you decide to get your BSDH?
I decided to get my BSDH largely because of my grandmother. She was a teacher and had a huge impact on me. I have fond memories of being at her house with my cousins and aunt playing pretend school. I knew I wanted to teach someday. While in dental hygiene school, I had several amazing instructors so when I graduated, I told them I would be back some day to teach. Typically, you need a bachelor’s degree to teach at a 2-year College and a master’s degree to teach didactic courses at a University. Since WSU did not offer a BSDH when I graduated that meant going back to college. When the WSU Dental Hygiene program started the online Degree Completion program, I was excited. I lived 2 hours from WSU at the time and I did not have to step foot on campus. I was able to work full-time and complete my degree all online.
Describe your current employment.
I work as a full-time Assistant Clinical Professor at Wichita State University. During summer and winter breaks I also work as a temporary RDH at offices in the local area and an as needed hygienist at Midwest Dental in Wichita.
When did you start working with current employer?
In January 2016, I began teaching online in the degree completion program. Then in August of 2016, I was asked to teach in the clinic. In 2019, I started teaching didactic courses.
What do you do at your current employment?
I teach in Pre-clinic and Clinic I, II, III, IV. I also teach two courses in the entry-level program; Radiology, Concepts III and two courses in the degree-completion program: Special Care Populations and Educational Methodology. I am also the professional development advisor for the junior and senior class.
What other activities (RDH related) are you involved with outside of your current job?
I am the treasurer for my local component Wichita Dental Hygienists’ Association, membership chair for the Kansas Dental Hygienists’ Association, and Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association advisor for WSU dental hygiene students. I perform around 800 dental screenings a year for elementary/middle schools in my area. I have also been involved with the Dental Peeps Network for several years now as a Moderator and now a Director.
Who had the greatest influence on your education and/or career path?
Dr. Paul Mitsch in Augusta, KS. He started talking to me about working for him when I was in middle school. I finally agreed when I was 16. I told him I would not work in the back with spit though. I only wanted to work up front. Now look at me 27 years later! Once I started working, he would tell patients that he has known me since I was born. My parents literally stopped by the office on their way home from the hospital. I also give credit to Kylie Austin RDH, MS, ECP-III (former program director at Manhattan Area Technical College Dental Hygiene Program), she gave me the opportunity to start my teaching journey and is an amazing mentor. She was younger than me, but I didn’t let age get in the way of soaking up all the knowledge I could while working with her at MATC.
How was the transition from clinical practice to educator (if applicable)?
It was a gradual process. I started working at MATC teaching online (oral pathology and primary preventative dentistry). Then I started working in the evening clinic. When my family expanded, I really wanted to move back to the Wichita area where my family was located. I emailed the program director at WSU to let her know I was interested in teaching online if she had any positions available. To my delight, a position was available and that was how I got my foot in the door. I continued to work full-time in an office while teaching one course at WSU. When we decided to move back to the Wichita area, I started teaching in the clinic at WSU and also part time for Midwest Dental. Now my teaching appointment is a 10-month contract at WSU and as needed for a couple offices in the summer and Christmas break.
What advice would you give to other RDHs seeking to advance their careers?
Don’t let your fears of failing get in your way! I was terrified of Algebra. That is what took me so long to go back to school. I decided to hire a tutor and start with basic math. I survived! The next step is set a few goals, whether it’s a 2–3-year plan or a 5-year plan. Then find a mentor that has been where you are. If you want to teach in a dental hygiene clinic, you will need a bachelor’s degree. In fact, the Commission on Dental Accreditation (2021) recently adopted new guidelines to require, “full-time and part-time faculty of a dental hygiene program to possess a baccalaureate or higher degree” (p. 34). This revision means that all faculty including clinical faculty must have a bachelor’s degree. The standard does grandfather any part-time clinical faculty from this degree requirement if hired prior to July 1, 2022. I would recommend talking with other professionals that have taken the leap to get out of the operatory and find out what their path looked like.
To learn more about the RDH to BSDH program visit our website.
Commission on Dental Accreditation (2021). Accreditation standards for dental hygiene education program. https://coda.ada.org/~/media/CODA/Files/2022_dental_hygiene_standards.pdf?la=en
Edit Content