Working

On January 1st of last year, Debbie Hartman, RDH, accepted the first-ever paid position with the Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF), a non-profit organization.

The OCF was founded by Brian Hill, an oral cancer survivor. The foundation’s goals are supported by a Scientific Advisory Board composed of leading cancer authorities from varied medical and dental specialties, drawn from premier cancer treatment, research and educational institutions in the U.S.

“A thorough oral cancer screening has always been a primary focus of mine while providing clinical dental hygiene care for the last 24 years,” said Hartman. “After hearing concerns and common interests, President Susan McLearan [of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association] proceeded to appoint me an official CDHA liaison to the OCF. Hartman increases communication with the dental hygiene community for the OCF’s new membership community for hygienists.

“Dental hygiene can be the crucial element necessary to improve the early detection rate for oral cancer. It’s an opportunity to utilize our responsibility and make a difference in the historical health of American society,” said Hartman.

“The OCF recognizes the importance of dental hygienists and our role to accomplish such a task. The founder, Brian Hill, I believe regards the profession of dental hygiene as accomplished, qualified and principled. He’s expressed an interest to partner/support us nationally to help achieve this monumental yet attainable goal of early discovery.”

Hartman aims to create a wider understanding of oral cancer amongst the public.

“It is my personal goal to increase public awareness to the importance of early detection of this deadly disease,” said Hartman. “Because of the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population being 20- to 50-year-old nonsmokers, I am planning oral cancer screenings through my component community relations committee.”

Hartman is also a part of the Headstart program, a dental clinic with the San Gabriel Valley Foundation for Dental Health that provides services for financially underprivileged children. She was invited to be on the Board of Directors after volunteering with Headstart.

“After 25 years of traditional clinical dental hygiene, I was naively surprised to still see so many cases of ECC,” she said. “I’ve probably seen less than 5 cases, ever. The SGVFDH has provided preventative and restorative care to children ages 2 to 11 years old with no dental insurance for 10 years.”

She advises hygienists looking to follow in her footsteps to “volunteer, network and keep an open mind. It’s seldom convenient to get out and volunteer, but it sure feels good when you do. I don’t advocate volunteering for this reason; however, I can’t help but notice that destiny continues to prove that the more you give, the more you get.”

This edition of Working was prepared by Meghan Washington