Stories from Dental Hygiene School—Melissa Calhoun, BAS-DH, 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 Melissa Calhoun, BAS-DH, RDH, shares about the time she considered dropping out of her dental hygiene program, and why she stayed.

Dental hygiene school is a rigorous program that requires time, organization, and tough skin. There were many times during my 2-year program that I questioned what I was doing. However, there was only one time that quitting crossed my mind. And that was the fall semester of my final year.

Before applying to dental hygiene school, I worked as a dental assistant and knew without a doubt that the dental field was my career path. I was accepted to Pensacola Junior College (now, Pensacola State College) in Florida, and moved there in May 2003. The first year of hygiene school was intense. Classes started a few days after the move and they seemed never ending. I worked evenings and had lectures or clinics every day. I was living with two classmates and enjoyed spending free time at the beach and studying at the local Starbucks.

The fall semester of my final year started on August 23, 2004. This was the semester before sitting for the National Board exam and consisted of some critical dental hygiene classes, including pharmacology, periodontology, and dental public health. Approximately 4 weeks into the semester, the Florida Panhandle was hit by the category 5 hurricane, Ivan, on September 16, 2004. The area was severely damaged, and the college was closed for 3 weeks.

I remember feeling panicked when school reopened and informed us that we would be pushing through the semester. Some professors thought classes might be pushed back 2 weeks, but with National Boards looming near, we needed to complete the scheduled classes on time. This was extremely stressful, not only was school chaotic but I had lost my job because the restaurant was damaged in the storm. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place at this point. I had to work to pay for rent, but no one was hiring because everything in Pensacola was damaged and slowly picking up the pieces. I remember discussing with one of the professors the dilemma I was in and asking for guidance. She advised me to try my best to stick it out as I was almost finished. I loved dental hygiene but felt overwhelmed by everything that was going on around me, and the thought of dropping out and applying again crossed my mind.

My aunt and uncle, Patty and Keith Barber, were a gift from above. They allowed me to move in with them and their two boys in Pensacola, rent-free while I finished my dental hygiene program. Although things looked bleak for a moment, my desire to finish and my passion for dental hygiene really helped guide me through. I had completed so much so far that the thought of quitting was superseded by the realization of how much I had already achieved.

I finished dental hygiene school on time and passed my National Board exam! I have been a practicing dental hygienist for 14 years and still love my profession every day! In fall 2019, I started the Master of Science in Dental Hygiene Program at Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene, MCPHS University. I like that my profession is continually learning new things and keeps me wanting to know more.