Building the Dental Hygiene Workforce One Degree at a Time

A shortage of dental hygienists continues to challenge practices across the United States, but an equally pressing concern is the lack of educators needed to prepare the next generation of clinicians. Jennifer Robertson, MEd, BSDH, RDH, CDA, believes expanding educational opportunities for practicing dental hygienists is one way to help address both issues.

As dental radiology technologist specialist and director of the intraoral radiology certification course at the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine, Robertson helped create a seamless transfer pathway that allows graduates of North Carolina community college dental hygiene programs to continue their education through East Carolina University’’ Bachelor of Science degree-completion program.

By removing barriers to earning a bachelor’s degree, the initiative opens doors to careers in education, leadership, public health, and research while helping build a larger pool of qualified dental hygiene faculty.

Discovering a Passion for Teaching

Robertson’s interest in healthcare and education developed early and, ultimately, led her to combine both passions in dentistry. “From an early age, I was passionate about pursuing a career in either healthcare or education. After taking courses in education and working in a hospital, I was inspired by a friend who was enrolled in dental hygiene school. I first completed my dental assisting education and then continued my studies in dental hygiene,” explains Robertson.

“During dental hygiene school, I had the opportunity to teach dental radiography in a dental assisting program, where I quickly discovered how much I enjoyed both patient care and teaching. That experience helped shape my career, allowing me to support patients while also preparing future dental professionals. Since then, education has been just as rewarding to me as clinical practice.”

Robertson has spent more than two decades educating future dental assistants and dental hygienists. After joining ECU’s School of Dental Medicine in 2024, she transitioned into her current role in 2025, where she continues to advance radiology education while championing workforce development initiatives.

Removing Barriers to Higher Education

Recognizing that many practicing dental hygienists want to advance their education without putting their careers on hold, Robertson collaborated with colleagues to develop a more accessible pathway to a bachelor’s degree.

“The transfer agreement creates a clear and flexible pathway for graduates of North Carolina community college dental hygiene programs who have earned an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene to continue their education by earning a Bachelor of Science in University Studies at ECU without starting over. It recognizes the value of the education students have already completed and allows them to build upon it in a way that fits their professional and personal lives,” Robertson notes.

“The development of this agreement was inspired by Warren Gabaree, DDS, ECU School of Dental Medicine’s assistant dean of clinical affairs, and his ‘Blue Sky Thinking,’ which encouraged us to look beyond traditional educational models and focus on what was possible. This pathway is important because it removes obstacles that have historically discouraged many hygienists from pursuing higher education. By making a bachelor’s degree more attainable, we are opening doors to careers in education, leadership, public health, research, and graduate studies while allowing hygienists to continue serving their patients.”

The degree-completion pathway enables dental hygienists to continue working while preparing for expanded career opportunities, including teaching, at a time when faculty shortages are limiting enrollment in many dental hygiene programs.

Strengthening the Profession

Robertson believes solving the dental hygiene shortage requires a comprehensive approach that supports both practicing clinicians and future educators. “Addressing the dental hygiene shortage will require multiple approaches, with one of the most important being the creation of opportunities that allow professionals to continue working while advancing their education. Flexible degree pathways, tuition support, mentorship programs, and career development opportunities all help retain talented hygienists in the profession,” Robertson says.

“I also believe we need to continue investing in the future of dental hygiene education by preparing more educators. Today’s faculty shortages directly impact our ability to train tomorrow’s workforce. By supporting educational advancement and creating opportunities for hygienists to move into teaching and leadership roles, we are strengthening the profession at every level.”

As workforce shortages continue to affect oral healthcare delivery, initiatives that expand educational access while preparing more faculty may prove essential to ensuring patients, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, have access to preventive oral healthcare for years to come.