Working

Linda Meeuwenberg, RDH, MA, MA

Linda Meeuwenberg, RDH, MA, MA, is the founder and president of Professional Development Association, Inc., which provides continuing education focused on improving communication and personal performance. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Dental Implant Auxiliaries & Practice Management as well as the Editorial Review Board for Implant Dentistry. She also delivers dental hygiene care to migrant children in the summer clinic and sits on the Migrant Health Advisory Board.

Meeuwenberg started working in dental hygiene 40 years ago. In her small hometown in Michigan, she worked as an assistant for a local dentist and his wife. They mentored her in dentistry, and took her to dental meetings, encouraging her to pursue dental hygiene education at Ferris State University in Michigan, which she did. She now has four degrees: an AAS in dental hygiene; a BS in allied health teacher education; an MA in guidance and counseling; and an MA in communication. She is currently considering a degree in holistic health while teaching and spending her remaining time volunteering and mentoring. Her affinity for community service began in childhood, with her mother.

“She took me with her to take care of several elderly neighbors who lived alone in our rural community,” Meeuwenberg explained. “She cooked for them, ran errands, encouraged them, and even did some light housekeeping. All of this was performed from her service devotion to community and humanity. We also did a lot of church volunteering, as my parents were the youth directors.”

Working as a dental hygiene practitioner was one factor that eventually led to the discovery that Meeuwenberg had a congenital spinal defect and genetic predisposition to spinal arthritis, for which she underwent her first surgery over 20 years ago. Then, a few years ago, a rear-end collision with a Dodge Ram further complicated matters by pushing a disc in her back very close to the spinal column, leaving her with severe chronic pain and an increasing loss of balance.

Despite these setbacks, Meeuwenberg has no regrets about her choice of profession. “I didn’t choose the ‘right’ profession for my spine,” she said. “I did choose the right profession for me!”

Meeuwenberg’s condition has contributed greatly to her dedication to educating other hygienists and students about ergonomics. She began speaking about this years ago and is thrilled to see that it has become a normal topic of discourse for hygienists.

“I was very strict about operator/patient positioning,” she said. “Students were very open to this feedback as they were concerned about their own well-being. Many have contacted me over the years thanking me for my teaching in this area and/or asking advice. I also advocated for ergonomic operator chairs for our students and faculty, which were purchased.

“Over the years, many hygienists have contacted me with their stories of physical disability related to their practice. I would like to think that I offered support, ideas for career changes, and advice on everything from equipment to disability insurance, career changes and workers compensation.”

Mentoring her students has become a huge part of Meeuwenberg’s life. She teaches at one of the largest dental hygiene programs, Ferris State in Big Rapids, Mich., and advises pre-dental hygiene students. She considers advising them one of the greatest rewards of her career. One student in particular stands out to her.

“[The student] suffered a serious auto accident that left her a parapyplegic,” explained Meeuwenberg. “After a year of rehabilitation, she returned to complete her final year. Our clinic director spent the entire summer getting our clinic ready for her. I have never met a person with such strong determination to become a dental hygienist! She went on to graduate with honors and gave a graduation speech that brought tears to many. She is enjoying a successful career as a hygienist and now mother of three. The doctors told her she would not be able to work as a hygienist and that she would not have any more children. Boy, were they wrong! I have several students who refer to me as their ‘teacher for life’. These continuing relationships are very special to me.”

Meeuwenberg advises other hygienists to look at their position as a great stepping-stone to an even more rewarding career.

This edition of “Working” was prepared by Meghan Washington.