What I love about dental hygiene is the opportunity to branch out of clinical practice and explore various pathways. I’m grateful that I took those leaps of faith along the way. I never imagined that my dental hygiene career would lead me to where I am today. I view my career as a slab of clay, constantly being molded into a work of art. With over six years of experience as a dental hygienist, I have developed a career that uniquely integrates clinical practice, public health, research, and education. I am currently pursuing a Master of Public Health focused on Community Health and Oral Population Health at the CUNY School of Public Health. I also hold a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene with a focus on Education from MCPHS University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from New York University.
I have held leadership roles at both the component and state levels for the New Jersey Dental Hygienists' Association and currently serve as the secretary for the American Academy of Dental Hygiene. I was nominated for the NJDHA's Fran Fluhr Outstanding Service Award and am a recipient of the Dr. Michael Apa Scholarship in Oral Population Health. My passion for advancing oral health, particularly among underserved populations, drives my commitment to research, public health, and education.
In addition to my work in private practice, I have served as a clinical instructor at various institutions, where I taught and provided hands-on clinical training to dental and dental hygiene students. I leverage my extensive clinical expertise and academic background to support the next generation of dental professionals in delivering high-quality patient care.
My journey has also led me to explore pathways beyond clinical practice, including public health and research. Earlier in my career, I worked as a dental hygienist and clinical manager for NYU CariedAway, a PCORI-funded, school-based cavity prevention program. In this role, I provided preventive care using Silver Diamine Fluoride to underserved children in New York City elementary schools. Currently, I am a research dental hygienist on an NIH-funded program at UMass Chan Medical School, where I work with Bangladeshi families in New York City to improve child and oral health outcomes. Exploring the research pathway in dental hygiene presents a valuable opportunity to deepen my understanding of oral health issues and contribute to evidence-based practice that can improve community health and patient care. In this new role, I manage administrative tasks, conduct dental screenings, and contribute to the qualitative and mixed methods sections of the research. I collaborate with local dental providers to ensure that the families we serve have a dental home and create partnerships with non-profit organizations focused on South Asian communities to enhance community engagement.
It’s inspiring to reflect how my journey has unfolded since those post graduate days. I have navigated such diverse paths from clinical practice to impactful research in public health level, each step adding depth and purpose to my career. Public health has become a pathway in my career that I am truly passionate about and working with the community brings me a sense of fulfillment in both my professional and personal life.