Dr. Carrie L. Hanson

1. What are you most proud of professionally?

I am proud to be a registered dental hygienist that has enjoyed a 41-year career. I have had the opportunity to work in different settings, such as clinical practice, public health, education and administration and to learn from fabulous colleagues along the way. I am proud that I continued my education and earned my doctorate degree as I love learning, but most of all, I am proud of the encounters with students. I have had the honor and privilege of mentoring and watching them grow not only professionally but as people and seeing them obtain their goals.

2. If you could change one thing about dental education (or dentistry) with a snap of your fingers, what would that be?

One thing about dental hygiene education that I would like to change is to allow students that graduate from a Commission on Dental Accreditation- (CODA-) accredited program to become licensed without taking a clinical exam, much like the nursing and medical profession. To graduate, dental hygiene students must be continuously evaluated over their educational journey for competency. That competency and ability to graduate should be enough to secure a license along with the National Board.

3. What is a major development in your field that’s flying under the radar?

The most recent concerns in the dental hygiene profession are outside efforts to diminish the value of the dental hygienist in the treatment of patients. There is a movement in many states called the Oral Preventive Assistant to provide oral hygiene services with minimal training. This raises serious concerns regarding patient safety and the delivery of substandard oral care. The dental hygienist is responsible for a comprehensive assessment of the oral cavity and risk factors, identification of the patient’s dental hygiene needs, development of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment, evaluation of the outcomes of treatment and the documentation of all aspects of care. These responsibilities require advanced training and licensure.

4. What do you look forward to outside of work?

I look forward to spending time with my husband, grandchildren, crocheting, gardening, taking the dog to the dog park and spending time with friends and more traveling.

5. What skill or talent would you most like to develop?

I would like to expand on my years of teaching and mentoring skills and become a certified coach. This is something I could do after retirement. I am especially drawn to young women in need of life mentorship.