The Best of Both Worlds

Kandice Swarthout, MS, RDH, LPC, recalls being fascinated by what she learned from the dental hygienist during her first visit to the dentist. Inspired by that experience, she set her sights on the healthcare field, graduating from Texas Woman’s University (TWU) Dental Hygiene program in 1997. After working in the field for several years, she earned a master’s degree in counseling and development in 2013, also from TWU.

Since then, Swarthout has blazed a unique trail, combining both of her professions. She recently took time out to answer some of our questions about her career experiences.

1. You’re a full-time professor of dental hygiene at Collin College in Dallas, but also a licensed professional counselor. Can you share a little about your career trajectory?

I had always wanted to teach part time at Collin College. When an opportunity came up, I was working toward my master’s degree. It was a perfect way for me to stay in hygiene and still pursue my degree. My long-term plan was to open a counseling practice but keep at least one day at Collin.

Right before graduation, I was offered a 1-year full-time temporary position. I hesitated because it did not align with my plan of opening a counseling practice. I have now started my eighth year at Collin in this full-time position while also running a small counseling practice, speaking, and writing.  

2. What made you decide to combine dental hygiene and counseling? 

I was very burned out from working clinically for so many years. My body hurt. My heart was not in it anymore. During my counseling studies, I began to see the connection between the two disciplines. I published a continuing education course about patient anxiety in 2013, and, in 2014, I began digging into the effects of clinical burnout among hygienists. I began writing and speaking on these topics and found it was so needed in our profession. I started meeting more hygienists who were also struggling with burnout, which validated that I was on the right track. 

I’ve more recently become interested in training healthcare professionals to recognize and report human trafficking. My training course on human trafficking has been approved by Texas Health and Human Services and is now officially available to healthcare professionals. 

3. What do you see as the most difficult issues for dental hygienists in today’s practice? How do you help them work through such issues?

Burnout. It occurs for a variety of reasons. But when things feel out of our control, it’s often because they are. So, I help hygienists see what’s in their control and what’s not, and how they can make changes from within. I shed light on shifts in habits, faulty thinking, and behaviors that may be contributing to burnout.  

4. You have spoken before the State Senate and House Health Committees in favor of allowing Texas dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia. What is the current status of this?

Texas is now one of the only states that bars hygienists from administering anesthesia. It’s embarrassing that we are so far behind in standards of care. Some powerhouse dental hygienists are working toward this, and I’m hopeful that it will happen someday. 

5. What do you most enjoy about the work you do?

From an educator’s standpoint, I love seeing the excitement on students’ faces when their papers are accepted for publication, or when they present their research and kill it. As a therapist, writer, and speaker I find great joy seeing people make steps toward positive change. I want to empower others to help themselves and take pride in their accomplishments.