1. Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association Student Graduation Packet
Your Profession Your Future Your Voice
Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association
Student Graduation Packet
2018

2. Table Of Contents
President’s Message………………………………………………………………………….. Membership Benefits…………………………………………………………………………. ADHA/TDHA/Contact Information……………………………………………………….. TDHA Meetings and Texas RDH License Requirement………………………….. Texas Component Contact information………………………………………………… Employment Red Flags……………………………………………………………………….. Interview Do’s & Don’ts……………………………………………………………………… Sample Interview Questions……………………………………………………………….. Sample RDH Cover Letter and Resume……………………………………………….. Networking Opportunities…………………………………………………………………… Resources and Links………………………………………………………………………….. Transitioning to Professional Membership……………………………………………

3. President’s Message To the Class of 2018:
I am honored to serve as your President. I have been practicing dental hygiene for almost 25 years and have been an active member of TDHA for the past 24 years. I am so thankful for the determined visionaries who worked diligently with TDHA, consistently striving to make TDHA one step closer to obtaining local anesthesia. We are always striving to be able to gain access into schools and nursing homes to ensure patients get care when they can’t get into the office for treatment. My TDHA membership is one of the most significant catalyst for change in my dental hygiene career. I have always been a volunteer service driven dental hygienist. When I became a TDHA member I was immediately surrounded by like minded, goal setting, save the world one tooth at a time hygienists. I am excited about TDHA/ADHA and where the profession of dental hygiene is heading. We are a Dental Tribe, one that very I’m happy to be apart of.
I believe that everyone deserves a healthy smile. I am passionate about advocating for ADHA membership, and supporting our profession is and always has been a given for me. Why would you go thru Dental Hygiene school and then not support what you worked so hard for? Long nights, trying to schedule missed appointments, searching for the right board patient, researching one last item for your senior presentation, and wondering when or if ever will I reach the End?
TDHA is devoted to its members and improving access to care in Texas. Membership is the most important key in the achievement of the goals like anesthesia. The protection and advancement of our profession needs your support, and I want to thank all of you for everything that you do to support TDHA!
I look forward to the future of Dental Hygiene and I am excited to be your Texas Dental Hygiene Association President.
Thank you,
Cindie Pierce, RDH

4. Contact Information
TDHA Contact Information
President:
Cindie Pierce, RDH
President- Elect:
Connie Groves, RDH, BS
1St Vice President:
Marian Tajchman, RDH, MS
2nd Vice President:
Christina Horton, RDH, BSDH 
Secretary/Treasurer:
Betty Haynes, RDH
Immediate Past President:
Cindy Crisler, RDH
Student Affairs Committee Chair:
Eliska Gauthier, RDH, BSDH, MBA
Membership Director:
LeeAnn Winkler, RDH, BSDH
TDHA Office:
PO Box
Plano, TX 75026
ADHA Contact Information
ADHA Office: 444 N. Michigan Ave, Suite Chicago, IL 60611
ADHA Website: Phone:
Cindy Crisler, RDH 

5. TDHA Meetings
There are several types of meetings that are held throughout the year. Those meetings include component meetings, committee meetings, board of trustee meetings, and annual session
Component Meetings are the local meetings for TDHA. Each component determines how and when to hold these meetings. Some are tired with continuing education opportunities and some meetings are not. Some components have chosen to combine meetings in order to offer members more at these meetings. all component members are welcome to attend.
Board of Directors Meetings are held quarterly on a weekend at the TDHA office in Austin. These meetings include reports from the board, component trustees, and committee chair - persons. These are the meetings where the business of TDHA is conducted. Component Trustees and Committee Chairs report their doings over the last quarter and issues are discussed.
Annual Session is the big meeting each year, usually in September. At this meeting our House of Delegates is held and bylaws and rules are changed as necessary. This is also the meeting where elections are held and new board members are installed for the next year. All members are encouraged to attend this meeting.
Committee Meetings are held either at a pre-determined interval or as necessary depending on the committee. Al committee members are usually expected to attend and any other members are welcome.

6. Texas RDH License Requirements
Many things are required to keep your TX RDH license current:
Continuing education hours: 12 hours per annual renewal period (8 must be technical and scientific, only 6 may be self-study/4 risk management)
CPR certification
Jurisprudence every 3 years
Documentation is important. Each RDH must keep proper documentation* for 24 months after each renewal period.
For more information or details on the requirements see

7. TDHA Components/Trustees
Austin
Lindsay, Collins, RDH, BS
Bay Area
Chriszelda Luna, RDH
Brazos
Marque Mathis, RDH, BS, MS
Central Texas
Traci Morrison, RDH, BS
Concho
Kelly Cole, RDH
Corpus Christi
Daniel Van Pelt, RDH
Dallas
Breezy Bonney RDH, BSDH
East Texas
Carrie Hobbs, RDH, MEd
Greater Collin County
Carli Smith, RDH, BS
Greater Fort Woth
Sarabeth Ballard, RDH
Greater Houston
Amber Lovatos, RDH
North Texas
Alisha Bell, RDH, BS
Rio Grande Valley
Gladys Arjona, RDH, Med
San Antonio
Celia Aviles RDH, MPH

8. Job Searching Tip
1. Look at the office website. Does it seem like a place you’d want to be a patient? To work? 2. Search everywhere. Newspaper, online job sites, online newspapers, friends, family, past classmates and teachers, etc. 3. Use a variety of keywords in online searching RDH, hygiene, hygienist, dental hygienist, dental , etc. 4. Take resumes to offices near your home. Just because they’re not advertising, doesn’t mean they won’t need someone in the near future.
Remember, you will want to like the office as much as you want the office to like you! If it doesn’t seem like a place you’d want to work, don’t work there.

9. Do’s & Don’ts of Job Interviews
DO wear pants and shirt or a dress; it should be simple, conservative and classic in a neutral color, such as black, brown, navy or tan.
DON’T wear jeans, anything too short or low cut.
DO keep your make-up and jewelry understated and natural.
DON’T have long, painted nails, or large flashy jewelry.
DO make sure your hair is clean and neat.
DON’T wear a ball cap or hair hanging in your face.
DO wear comfortable shoes that you can walk in.
DON’T wear tennis shoes, flip flops, shoes with holes in them.
DO arrive minutes early.
DON’T arrive late. If you have to pull over and call to let them know you are running late.
DO be prepared to complete a formal job application. Have contact information for previous employers, a pen handy, and write neatly. Fill out the application completely.
DON’T speak poorly of previous employers.
DO be genuinely glad to meet your interviewer. Greet her/him by formal name (Dr. Smith, etc.), stand up straight and walk with energy.
DON’T greet the doctor by his/her first name.

10. DO’S AND DON’T OF JOB INTERVIEWING
DON’TS
DO bring a copy of your resume.
DON’T come unprepared.
DO follow up with the office after.
DON’T chew gum.
DO ask question.
DON’T answer with one word answers.
DO turn your phone off or silence it.
DON’T Talk on your phone or text at any time while in the office.
DO show enthusiasm. Positive feedback from you may determine if you get a second interview or the job.
DON’T discuss marital status, age, race, religion, dependents, health or national origin.
Do be a good listener, as well as a communicator. Be aware of nonverbal communication.
DON’T lie or exaggerate your accomplishments.

11. Interviewing for your first RDH job
Openers:
What do you know about our office/organization?
Why are you interested in this position?
What qualifies you for this position?
Tell me about yourself. Interests/Hobbies
Questions to Ask An Interviewer:
What are the expectations of this position?
Tell me about the equipment and working environment in this office.
What is the overall office philosophy for dental treatment? preventive/periodontal protocols?
What hours are for this position?
How is the length of appointment determined?
What qualities do you like in an employee?
How are instruments, products, and uniforms selected?
What instruments and techniques are already used in the practice?
How is after hours care handled?
How long do you (dentist) plan to practice?
What are the future goals of the practice?
What is the next step after this interview? May I have your business card?
Motivators:
What are your short/long term goals?
How does this position fit into these goals?
What are the rewards you expect from this position? What do you consider a reward?
How do you value what you do?
How should others value what you do?
Experience:
What were your strengths/weaknesses at your last job?
Name 2 or 3 things that you wished you would have done better at your last job?
What qualifications do you have that will help you be successful in this position?
In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
How do you know when you are doing a good job?
What outside activities are you involved in?
To which professional associations do you be- long?
Behavioral:
How do you work under pressure?
Tell me about a situation when you were under pressure. How did you react?
Would you do anything differently?
What have you learned from your mistakes?
How would you deal with administration decisions/ philosophies with which you do not agree?
What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort? What 2 or 3 accomplishments are most proud of in your life so far? Why?

12. Sample Cover Letter Jane Smith , RDH Dear Dr. Doe,
I am a Registered Dental Hygienist and am interested in the dental hygienist position that was advertised in last Sunday's Star Tribune.
I am a recent graduate from the Normandale Community College dental hygiene program. Since graduation, I have primarily worked as a temporary dental hygienist for Dental Temps, LLC in the city of Any- where. This has given me immediate experience in a variety of dental offices. I have worked for some of the top dentists in Minnesota, and have treated a wide variety of patients of all ages and health needs.
My dental hygiene regimen can be tailored so that it's in line with a particular dental office's best practices. I am skilled in oral prophylaxis, root planning and soft tissue management. I am also experienced in exposing diagnostic radiographs, updating medical histories and periodontal charting. Educating and motivating patients to achieve optimal oral health is one of my passions.
I am confident that my RDH knowledge and background in dental hygiene is what your dental office is seeking for this position. My enclosed resume has further details for you to review. I look forward to having the opportunity to discuss, in person, your dental hygienist needs in the future.
Sincerely,
Jane Smith , RDH
Jane Smith, RDH Resume enclosed

13. Sample Resume
Jane Smith, RDH 123 Main Street Anywhere, MN (952) OBJECTIVE To obtain a position as a dental hygienist in a friendly dental office where patient care is the top priority. SKILLS AND PROFICIENCIES Review and document health history, noting any possible contraindications to dental treatment. Expose diagnostic digital dental radiographs. -Complete intra/extra-oral exam and periodontal evaluation. -Perform oral prophylaxis, root planning, and soft tissue management. -Utilize magnetostrictive and piezo ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments. -Administer of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation. -Perform whitening procedures, including fabrication of custom whitening trays. -Apply cavity prevention agents such as fluoride and sealants. -Demonstrate oral hygiene techniques, specific for each patient to achieve optimal oral health. -Educate patients on risks of oral diseases and benefits of preventive care. -Set up re-care appointments using Dentrix, Eagle Soft and XL Dent software systems.

14. Sample Resume (Cont.)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Dental Temps, LLC – Anywhere, USA Active Dental Hygienist on a temporary basis for various dental practices in the metropolitan areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul. EDUCATION Normandale Community College –Bloomington, MN Associates of Applied Sciences in Dental Hygiene HONORS, AWARDS AND LEADERSHIP Dental hygiene class president Mary Homemaker Exceptional Student Award PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS CPR certification National Dental Hygiene Board Examination Certificate -State of Minnesota Local Anesthesia Certification State of Minnesota Dental Hygiene License #A1234 Member of Minnesota Dental Hygienists' Association – Member of Normandale Community College Alumni REFERENCES Available upon request

15. Networking Opportunities
Attend an TDHA Component Meeting
Participate on a TDHA Committee
Attend TDHA Annual Session
Attend ADHA Annual Session
Join TDHA list
Attend Hygiene on the Hill Legislative Awareness Day
Attend Professional Conferences
RDH UOR, ADHA CLL, Career Fusion, The Texas Meeting, Southwest Dental Conference, Smiles At Sea
Check out Social Media
Online networks where hygienists can communicate about patient care, new products, and CE. Most local components have a Facebook page!
Take Advantage of TDHA CE Opportunities and Leadership Development courses

16. Helpful Resources
American Dental Hygienists’ Association: American Dental Association: American Dental Assistants Association: Texas Dental Association: International Federation of Dental Hygienist’s: World Health Organization: Medicare: Center for Disease Control & Prevention: HIPAA: OSHA: National Library of Medicine: Who Represents Me (My Texas Senator and Representative: National Government:

17. Transitioning to Professional Membership
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association invites you to stay connected with the largest professional organization representing the interests of dental hygienists.
At ADHA, we have made it easy for graduating student members to stay connected. You can transition your student membership to active membership for free. As an active member, you will have even more opportunities and benefits.
Transition to ADHA Active Membership
We encourage you to maintain your connection to ADHA and the dental hygiene profession. With ADHA, you will:
Increase your professional edge by taking advantage of state and local networking and continuing education opportunities.
Explore your career options by using our Employment Guide and online Career Center.
Get discounts on professional items such as loupes, books, scrubs, car rentals and insurance just to name a few.
You will find all of your member benefits online at
The transition from student membership to active is simple and free.
Just follow these easy steps:
Celebrate your graduation and licensure!
Contact ADHA in one of three ways.
Login online to your ADHA account and click the “Convert to Active Member” link.
Call ADHA at and press 1.
your name,ADHA member ID number, license number and state of licensure to
Enjoy your Active membership at no additional charge!
Take advantage of your membership and transition today!
Questions? Please contact ADHA Central Office Member Services staff at: