About this event
Dental Hygienists play a pivotal role in preventive care that contribute to overall health, and yet, the barriers minorities face on the journey from assistant to hygienist often prevent individuals from starting, completing, and remaining in the oral care profession. To address this critical issue, BrownGirl, RDH in partnership with GoTu are hosting this webinar, with Martelle Coke, CEO BrownGirl, RDH, Metoqua Anderson, Adjunct Hygiene Instructor, and Yvonne Beckford, DDS, Owner Denbeck Assistant Academy, as the presenters, and Kristine Berry, Founder & Principal Consultant of Dental Diversity and Inclusion Alliance as Moderator.
Attendees can expect to:
- Learn about the critical role dental assistants play in the dental office, and why assisting minorities to become certified in high school is an essential first step to the growing demand for dental hygienists.
- Gain insights into the education journey of minority dental hygiene students, the obstacles they face, and ways to improve the student experience.
- Discuss common challenges faced by new minority practitioners and strategies for success.
- Interactive Q&A Session: Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in a discussion.
Hosted by
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Guest speaker
Martelle Coke Founder @ Brown Girl, RDHG
Martelle Coke is a registered dental hygienist with extensive experience in the industry. Martelle established BrownGirlRDH in 2018 to create a platform for women in dental hygiene to connect, share experiences, and provide support. Under her leadership, BrownGirlRDH has organized events, meetups, and conferences, as well as established scholarship funds for aspiring dental hygienists. Martelle is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the field, actively promoting equal opportunities and representation for women of color. She is also a sought-after speaker and educator, delivering presentations and workshops on dental hygiene and professional development. Martelle's dedication to empowering women in dental hygiene has earned her recognition and respect in the industry.
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Guest speaker
Metoqua AndersonG
With a career spanning over 15 years in dental hygiene, Metoqua Anderson’s professional experience is diverse, encompassing roles in private, corporate, and public health dental settings. A decade into her career, Metoqua's entrepreneurial spirit led her to venture beyond clinical hygiene. She founded Gienetix and Gienius, through which she has made multiple contributions to dentistry, including the invention of a patent-pending tongue cleaning device and designed an innovative toothbrush. Facing the unique challenges as the only minority in her dental hygiene school, Metoqua is dedicated to shaping the next generation of hygienists as a dental hygiene instructor in Georgia. She is deeply committed to promoting diversity in dentistry, a passion she actively pursues as a board member for BrownGirl, RDH.
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Guest speaker
Kristine Berry Founder & Principal Consultant @ Dental Diversity and Inclusion AllianceG
Kristine Berry is an accomplished leader and coach in the dental industry, with over 30 years of experience. She founded Dental Diversity and Inclusion Alliance (DDIA) in 2022, focusing on cultural diversity within dental organizations. She holds multiple certifications, including as a Certified Diversity Executive and Health and Wellness Coach. Kristine has influenced the industry significantly, particularly through her role as the “OG” RDH eVillage Editorial Director at PennWell Corporation, reaching 60,000 readers monthly. She has also made notable contributions at various conferences and through her writing, including the book "Demystifying Smiles" and a chapter in "Mosby's Dental Hygiene: Concepts, Cases, and Competencies, 2nd Edition." Her mission centers on unlocking the potential of diverse dental teams and addressing oral health disparities.
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Guest speaker
Dr. Yvonne BeckfordG
Dr. Yvonne Beckford, DDS, PC, is an experienced cosmetic dentist with over 35 years of practice in Tucker, Georgia, where she has helped many achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. Holding an undergraduate degree in biology from the College of New Rochelle and a DDS from Georgetown University, she values education and is committed to staying updated with dental advancements. Her practice features top-notch diagnostic and treatment technology. As a member of the American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry, she has access to continuous education and the latest research in dentistry.
GoTu
Where Tech Meets TalentGoTu replaces the temp agencies of the past by directly connecting understaffed offices with qualified dental hygienists and assistants. Sign up today!
