Working

Tonya Ray, RDH, BS, MA

Tonya Ray, RDH, BS, MA, was drawn to the field of dental hygiene because it would allow her to combine her two career goals. "I wanted to either be a teacher or a dental hygienist, so I decided to become a dental hygienist because then I could do both."

In 1978, after graduating from Baylor College of Dentistry, Caruth School of Dental Hygiene in Dallas, Texas, Ray went to work at Denton State School-a residential facility for people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities-where she provided dental care for the residents.

"I think the challenge and the altruistic part of me really felt like I could help," said Ray. "It was something I could do that I knew other dental hygienists might not want to do. I enjoyed it a lot, I learned a lot and I felt like I accomplished a lot in those years."

Having fulfilled half of her career goals, Ray knew it was time to focus on her other dream: teaching. Knowing that she would need a master's degree to teach, Ray enrolled at the University of Texas at Dallas, where she took night classes while working during the day at Denton. In 1982, Ray graduated with her master's degree in interdisciplinary studies. Now, fully equipped with clinical dental hygiene experience and a master's degree, Ray was ready to take the next step in her professional journey.

"It was a very tough decision because I hated to leave Denton," said Ray, describing her work there as "absolutely rewarding." "After being there [Denton] for two years, I was asked to come back to Baylor and teach, which was really my lifelong dream." Ray taught a variety of dental hygiene and dental classes at Baylor-sometimes full time, sometimes part time-for 12 years. She also ran the school's special care clinic.

In 1990, while working part time at Baylor, Ray was hired by Teledyne Waterpik as a part-time educational representative. Three years later, she took a management position with the company, which involved her traveling all over the country.

Looking for a way to expand her knowledge of the dental products industry, Ray joined the staff of Hu-Friedy. "I went to work for Hu-Friedy because I knew I did not understand the dealer network, and I really needed to understand that," explained Ray.

A year later, in 1997, Ray left Hu-Friedy to take on the role of national manager of professional education with Oral-B, a Gillette company. She has since worked for the company, which was purchased by Procter & Gamble (P&G) in 2005.

"It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for a great job," said Ray, who managed the schools program for the United States. The program then expanded into Canada and she was promoted to North American schools manager.

Shortly thereafter, Ray was given the responsibility of establishing a training department, because Oral-B's professional division had previously lacked a training department specific to them. "It was really fun because I was able to use my teaching background. I created a curriculum for the sales force, a curriculum they actually go through in an organized manner. It has been really fun to watch that grow."

Prior to P&G purchasing Gillette, Ray was working as the director of professional affairs, where she was responsible for professional affairs, North American schools and training. After the acquisition, she was named eastern divisional manager. "The opportunity to lead the eastern division allows me to manage significant sales and budget responsibilities and allows me to lead half of the Crest / Oral-B sales force for the U.S. I can't wait to see the results we will achieve together."

As the eastern divisional manager, Ray works long hours and is constantly on the road traveling to meetings. Her willingness to travel has allowed her, a born and raised Texan, to continue living in Dallas. "My jobs have been different, but I have been able to stay in Dallas," said Ray. "It is just uncanny that is has happened this way."

Looking into the future, Ray doesn't see herself slowing down. "I hope one day to be a business director for North America," she said.

The versatility of the profession is what Ray has found to be so attractive about dental hygiene. "I just keep getting to do something else that I really love to do. I thoroughly enjoyed my patients at Denton and I loved teaching. If you asked me, would I want to go back and do those jobs? Not right now because I love what I'm doing. But would I? Absolutely!"

Ray believes that everything you do is a step to the next thing. "You meet people and you report to people who teach you things that nobody else could have taught you. Then you move on, and you pull from those experiences."

"I am a very fortunate woman; I love my job," said Ray. "I really love working with salespeople and helping them to do their jobs better and exceed our customers' expectations."

Ray has been a member of the American Dental Hygienists' Association for nearly 20 years. She is also an associate member of the American Dental Assistants Association, which recently honored her with the title, "Corporate of the Year." Ray is also a member of the American Dental Education Association. To find out more about Tonya Ray, please contact her via email at tonya_smith_ray@gillette.com.

This edition of Working was prepared by Katie Barge