Marilyn Cortell, MS, RDH
Marilyn Cortell, MS, RDH
Marilyn is an outstanding academician in her own right. She has not only worked in various areas of dentistry/dental hygiene, she is an international lecturer who provides continuing education for other dental professionals. Marilyn has some sound advice on the subject of mentoring, networking and securing the advancement of dental hygiene education.
In Marilyn's words: As I look back on my 30-plus year career in dental hygiene, I continue to be grateful for the advantages practicing clinical dental hygiene provided me particularly when raising a family and pursuing an advanced education. Early on and throughout my career, I was interested and involved in ADHA both on the national and state level among other organizations such as the American Academy of Dental Hygiene and woman's networks, now online, where professional networking is at its optimum.
Through an expanded professional network I was able to secure employment in both the corporate and academic sectors. Today, with the mentorship and encouragement of many colleagues, I am fully engaged in academia teaching full time, writing, and lecturing with unrelenting energy and passion for dental hygiene.
I attempt to serve as a mentor by encouraging students to foster a professional and personal network, join organizations, and attend and participate in meetings, always stating that I am a dental hygienist. When lecturing, I discuss mentioning the words dental hygienist at least once when providing oral hygiene services. Using language such as; "As a dental hygienist I have the education and background to recognize your oral health needs and the dentist and I will collaborate on ..." This language will clarify to the public who we are and in turn help us to respect dental hygiene as a profession and less as a job.
To that end, I am optimistic that in the future the dental hygienist will serve as a primary provider for comprehensive preventive oral hygiene care and that the medical community will embrace the strong oral-systemic health connection, thus appreciating the preventive and supportive role the dental hygienist performs.
Additionally, I foresee a future where the dental hygienist is sought out and valued for his/her education, knowledge and skills thereby being utilized in health care settings that will help the United States eradicate current obstacles that prevent everyone from receiving dental care services throughout the nation.
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