Stories from Dental Hygiene School—Rebecca Schmidt, RDH

Dental hygiene school is a test of perseverance. Many clinicians have been there, done that, and have plenty of helpful anecdotes that hopefully make you feel less alone as you embark—or continue—on your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist.

Dimensions Brand Ambassador Rebecca Schmidt, RDH, shares about the time she considered dropping out of her dental hygiene program, and why she stayed.

I had just entered the second to last semester of the Dental Hygiene Program at Delta College in Saginaw, Michigan, and I was ecstatic! I would officially be a senior and less than 1 year away from graduating and moving on to working in the real world. I was close with all of my classmates, as we spent 5 days a week and endless hours with each other, studying, venting, laughing, and crying. These people were my strength and support.

Despite their support, fall is always a tough time as my brother passed away in September several years ago. What made fall 2014 especially difficult was my grandfather had been recently diagnosed with cancer, and I felt so much stress from upcoming board examinations and meeting senior clinic requirements. I knew I was struggling, but I kept pushing it into the back of my mind and thought, “Everything will be fine—I just have to get through this semester.”

I met with my teacher for my final grade on the last day of the semester, and felt everything crash down on me when she told me I failed the semester.

I could not accept that I would not be moving on to my last semester of hygiene school. I was in disbelief that I had failed. I was embarrassed to tell my family, friends, and classmates; angry at my instructor for failing me (although it wasn’t her fault); and disappointed in myself for letting this happen. I felt so helpless while my instructor was explaining I could come back in the spring. To say I was distraught is an understatement.

However, there was no doubt in my mind that I would finish dental hygiene school. Many people told me they probably would have dropped out and never finished the program. But I knew I wanted to be a dental hygienist. I knew that I had to exercise my mental strength and resolve to get what I wanted. I returned to school the next year, where I introduced myself to the next class of students and was immediately welcomed by my classmates. It did sting every time I retold my story but thankfully my classmates provided encouragement and motivation throughout the semester. I did not have to worry about feeling alone or inferior because we were all in the same boat! My new class became my new family.

Repeating my last year of hygiene school was excruciating. It was humiliating, humbling, and exhausting. I felt that I would never be the great, successful hygienist I aspired to be. However, all of that changed when I graduated in 2016. I realized nobody cared that I was repeated a semester; it was all in my head. My classmates, instructors, and future bosses only see my degree and licensure. I began subbing as a registered dental hygienist in 2016, and currently work 3 days a week in two dental offices.

Although dental hygiene school was a stressful time in my life, I enrolled in the University of Michigan’s online degree-completion program 2 years after graduation. During this program, I was awarded the position of Student Delegate for District V at the 2019 American Dental Hygienists’ Association Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. I will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in May 2020.

Now I am beyond excited for my future in the field of dental hygiene, and I refuse to let my past haunt me or make me feel less of a hygienist. My personal experience is a reminder to continue chasing your dreams, no matter what bumps or unforeseen curves come along. You owe it to yourself to go after, and obtain those goals. Keep going and keep smiling!