Your Year of Self Mentorship
As the new year begins, we often focus on how we can improve ourselves.
As the new year begins, we often focus on how we can improve ourselves. We may vow to implement healthy habits, such as exercising more frequently and eating nutritious foods. These efforts are laudable and sometimes yield positive results. But what about your dental hygiene career? Have you thought of ways to improve this important aspect of your life? The supplement Perspectives on Dental Hygiene, which was published with the October 2014 issue of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, demonstrated that our profession is rapidly changing. In order to remain relevant and essential, we need to rethink our roles in health care. Expanded opportunities for dental hygienists already exist, and they will continue to grow. Dental hygiene practice is no longer confined to a four-wall operatory, but it is now much broader in scope. Mid-level providers are increasing access to care; medical offices are utilizing dental hygienists for their expertise; and corporate entities are hiring dental hygienists for myriad positions, including research, sales, education, and more. Just like the leaders featured in the “Six Dental Hygienists You Want to Know” online forum, I’m frequently asked how to step out of the operatory to try something new. The answer is—it begins with you.
The most crucial step in broadening your opportunities is to expand your mind-set to visualize the possibilities. As with any new direction, small first steps can ultimately lead to big changes. Look inward to determine your true passion. If it’s sales, then take a course on how to communicate and relate to people. If research is your passion, learn about scientific methodologies and evidence-based concepts. If you long to teach, take a public speaking course to hone your presentation skills. Invest in yourself, and others will see the value of placing you in a new role.
Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg devotes an entire chapter to mentoring and how it can help women succeed in her bestselling book Lean In. Sandberg explains that the wrong message about mentoring has been sent to young women in the corporate world. Sandberg writes: “We need to stop telling them ‘Get a mentor and you will excel.’ Instead, we need to tell them, ‘Excel and you will get a mentor.'” This advice holds true for dental hygiene professionals. As we look toward a future of new possibilities and expanded roles, those who invest in themselves will succeed. Consequently, others will be anxious to help them do so. Be a mentor—to YOU!
Jill Rethman, RDH, BA
Editor in Chief
jrethman@belmontpublications.com
From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. January 2015;13(1):10.
