Not All Pathways to Dental Hygiene Are Distinct

Gina M. Delucrezia-Karabin, MSEd, RDH, BS, discusses her unique pathway to dental hygiene, and how she balances dual careers. 

I am often asked how I handle my career of being both a dental hygienist and an educator. My answer is always positive because I truly love what I do. Granted, not all career pathways are distinct and mine definitely had major twists and turns. 

Prior to my entry into dental hygiene, I was teaching high school biology and chemistry for about 4 years, also serving as chair of the school’s science department. I was a teacher by day and a curriculum writer by night. I was young, comfortable, and eager to embrace whatever was placed in front of me. My path to dental hygiene began in 2004 after hearing a family conversation about my cousin who became a dental hygienist and how much she loved it.  I signed on to AOL that same night and searched for dental hygiene programs in my area. While there are many,  New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry’s Dental Hygiene Program intrigued me the most, and I signed up for its next open house in November.  

DISCOVERING THE PROFESSION

I remember walking out of that open house and realizing there was so much more that I wanted to learn. I became interested not only in the world of dentistry but in public health, and the dental hygiene profession was in the middle of it all. I applied a few weeks later and began the dental hygiene program in 2004. From that moment on I was a student again, only this time ready with a career goal. Balancing being a full-time student and tutoring science part time was difficult but worth it.

My years as a dental hygiene student gave new meaning to the word perseverance and a new viewpoint on the amazing people in allied health. During hygiene school, I quickly learned the dental hygienist is a pillar of the healthcare system.  A memory that still sticks with me is when I was doing a rotation at a nursing home and my patient could not speak. I found her with advanced periodontal disease so severe that she was losing teeth on her pillow. I was her only hope of getting her the assistance that she needed. It was at that moment when I realized I truly was helping and understood the important role hygienists play in the healthcare system.

During my days at NYU Dentistry, I was incredibly fortunate to serve on numerous committees, act as the student delegate for the 2005 American Dental Hygienists’ Association Convention, present research at the annual Greater New York Dental, and meet Esther M. Wilkins, BS, RDH, DMD. My journey through dental hygiene school also led to permanent life-long connections as the wonderful faculty I had have become my colleagues, and my role as a student led me to become the mentor I am today. I will never forget the memories and the many relationships I made on this journey.   

Now I balance careers in both science and dental hygiene, and I currently teach full time by day and see patients one to two nights per week and some Saturdays. As an online instructor for NYU Dentistry,  I teach introductory biology and chemistry, which serve as connectors between high school secondary level sciences. Both courses are required upon entry into the hygiene program. 

FOLLOW YOUR OWN PATH

The hygiene career is one great adventure and education is a big part of it. I feel blessed to have found my pathway even though it took many roads and diversions to get me to where I was meant to be. I am fortunate to work in places that allow me to flourish.  

The goal as I often say to my high school seniors upon their graduation is to realize commencement means to begin and to always remember each day is a new opportunity to begin their individual journey to a career they love.