Interview with Charlotte Neighbors, RDH
Where and when did you complete dental hygiene school? I started out at Guilford Technical Community College in North Carolina. I graduated in 2009 from their 1-year Dental Assisting program. I went back for dental hygiene school in the fall and graduated in 2011. I quickly fell in love with a role in dental hygiene and interacting with my patients. Dental hygiene is a wonderful career choice and has shaped who I am as a professional.
Where and when did you complete an advanced degree? I completed my BSDH at WSU in December of 2023.
What made you decide to get your BSDH? After practicing clinical dental hygiene for ten years, I decided to step away from my clinical role so I could pursue a career with Align Technology (Invisalign®). I made the choice to further my degree so I could leverage more career opportunities in the long-term. This program has been so applicable in my day-to-day role. I am very happy I decided to enroll at WSU!
Describe your current employment: I am the Supervisor for our Customer Engagement Team at Align Technology- Invisalign® + iTero®. We support new providers in their Invisalign® journey.
Who has had the greatest influence on your education and/or career path? I was also interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. When I was a senior in high school, a neighbor encouraged me to look into dental hygiene. Once I started my program, I fell in love with the field of dentistry! There are so many career options for a dental hygienist with a BSDH, and it is never too late to go back to school.
What advice would you give to other RDHs seeking to advance their careers? I would encourage any RDH to investigate alternative career pathways early on, set your goals and understand what educational requirements are needed. Always be open to learning and growing in your career. Don't be afraid of change, it's inevitable.
Gain the skills required to advance in your profession, switch into a new career or pursue a graduate program. Learn about educational methodology, special care populations, population health management and more from our top-tier faculty. This program has been ranked multiple times as one of the top 15 most affordable online BSDH programs in the nation—and you can complete it in as little as three semesters.