Our Interview with Ja Nae Jamison Kimbell, President of the National Dental Hygienists’ Association

Ja Nae Jamison Kimbell is the President of the National Dental Hygienists’ Association.

What barriers or gaps have you identified in access to dental hygiene education and careers, and how is the NDHA working to address them?

Access begins well before someone applies to dental hygiene school. Students need early exposure to the profession, clear guidance about educational requirements, and mentors who help them see what is possible. Financial barriers also extend beyond tuition to instruments, board preparation, licensing fees, and the costs of transitioning into practice.

The National Dental Hygienists’ Association addresses these gaps through school outreach, scholarships, mentorship, and professional connections. Our License Ready: Student Success Program supports selected students with board-readiness instruction, assistance with licensing fees, and financial support to participate in our annual convention, where they can access continuing education, networking, and workforce-development opportunities. We want students to feel supported throughout the transition from education to employment.

Community service is central to our work. Our outreach includes children’s oral health education and back-to-school events, as well as partnerships serving people experiencing homelessness with meals, oral care supplies, and practical health education. These activities meet immediate community needs while creating opportunities to introduce young people and families to dental hygiene as a career rooted in service.

Are you seeing growing interest in dental hygiene as a stepping stone toward dentistry or other dental specialties? What’s driving that shift?

I wouldn’t say that I’ve seen a growing interest, most dental hygienist want to be dental hygienist, although there are some who go to Dental school. Dental hygiene is a distinct profession with the its own expertise, responsibilities, and essential role in oral health. Dental hygienists focus on preventing oral disease, treating and managing periodontal disease, and helping patients maintain long-term health. Dentists share a commitment to prevention while providing a broader range of diagnostic, restorative, and surgical treatments. These professions complement one another in meeting patients’ needs.

Dental hygienists’ responsibilities extend well beyond cleaning teeth. We assess periodontal health, recognize and address oral inflammation, perform oral cancer screenings, identify concerns that require referral, and educate patients about the connection between the mouth and the rest of the body. This includes explaining the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes, as well as associations with cardiovascular disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight. These connections reinforce the importance of prevention, early intervention, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals.

The professions share a foundation in oral health sciences, so a dental hygienist who chooses to pursue dentistry brings transferable knowledge, clinical skills, and experience building patient trust. That decision may reflect an interest in restorative care or providing additional treatment options. We support that individual choice while recognizing the value and impact of a career in dental hygiene. I have, however, seen a growing trend of dental hygienist receiving doctorate degrees in education and educational leadership.

What would you tell a dental hygienist considering going back to school to become a dentist or pursue further specialization?

Start with the impact you want to make. Do you want to provide additional treatment, become an educator, lead community health programs, or contribute to research? That answer will help you identify the education that best supports your goal.

Your dental hygiene experience brings valuable knowledge of prevention, patient relationships, and the realities of accessing care. Build on that foundation and develop a practical plan. Speak directly with admissions advisers about prerequisites, application requirements, program length, and costs. Seek mentors who have taken a similar path, and consider how you will balance school with work and family responsibilities.

We would also encourage you to stay connected to community service throughout your education. The experiences and perspectives you bring from working with patients can help shape the kind of dentist, educator, researcher, or leader you become. Whatever direction you choose, your background in dental hygiene remains a valuable part of your professional contribution.

How can dental and dental hygiene education systems better support diversity and access for underrepresented groups entering the field?

Education systems should build lasting relationships with communities and provide support from early career exploration through graduation, licensure, and employment. That includes partnerships with schools, community organizations, and historically Black colleges and universities to reach students who have historically been overlooked in recruitment.

Admissions processes should recognize academic readiness alongside leadership, service, resilience, and lived experience. Once students enroll, meaningful access requires financial assistance, tutoring, board preparation, accessible advising, and help navigating challenges such as transportation and caregiving. Students also benefit from faculty and mentors with varied backgrounds who help create an environment where they feel respected and supported.

NDHA offers a partner in this work through scholarships, mentorship, school outreach, our Student Success Program, and student chapters. Our goal of expanding Student National Dental Hygienists’ Association chapters across accredited programs reflects our commitment to preparing knowledgeable, community-minded professionals.

Success should be measured by who has the opportunity to enter, who receives the support to complete their education, and how well graduates are prepared to serve communities with compassion and understanding.

Ja Nae Jamison Kimbell, was interviewed by Arush Chandna, the co-founder of Inspira Advantage, a medical school admissions consulting company.