The Traveling Hygienist Spotlight
Switzerland – The Fabulous Six
Celebrating 50 years as traveling hygienists at a reunion in Switzerland in 2018
These hygienists are the pioneers of international dental hygiene. They went to Switzerland as young, recent-grads to help establish the profession of dental hygiene in the 1960s. They all returned to the US enriched and ready to do some pretty awesome things in the years to come.
Switzerland – Bernita Bush Gissler, BSDH
Her journey as a dental hygienist abroad started in the 1980s and introduced her to another passion.
This dental hygiene influencer helped developed the curriculum of the dental hygiene school at the University of Bern in the 1980s. She also taught at the University of Bern dental school in the 1990s. She’s still in Switzerland! You can read her bio here.
Germany – Carmen Lanoway, BSDH, RDH
Dental hygienist in a renowned Perio and Implant specialty office
Carmen has been a traveling hygienist since 1995. She also is the current delegate for the Germany Dental Hygiene Association for the International Federation and the European Dental Hygiene Federation. You can read her bio here.
Dubai – Rachel England, RCSEd, MPH
Dental hygienist working in global public health for the FDI
Rachael has worked in three different countries and has her own non-profit dental organization in Kenya: Maasai Molar. www.maasaimolar.org. You can read her bio here.
Germany – Rebecca Kruck, RDH (Late)
Former Dental hygienist in Germany
Rebecca worked in Germany in Cologne and Pforzheim from 1996 until she retired in 2019. We lost our dear colleague in 2023 and dedicate this to the memory of her accomplishments and wonderful influence.
Switzerland and Germany – Angela Scott, RDH
Dental Hygienist and User Experience Designer
I worked in Switzerland starting in the early 2002, and I now work in Germany. You can read my bio here.
Email me: he***@de********************.com
Germany – Casey L. Thornton, BS, RDH
Dental hygienist, currently working in the US after returning from Germany.
Casey worked in Germany for two memorable years, 2017-2019. She has also traveled to over 30 countries! Casey used to work with hygienists to help them find work overseas, but her passion now is maternity photography! Her company is RDH International. You can read her bio here.
Email me: ca***@ph*****************.com
Germany – Charlotte Hughes, RDH, BSDH
Dental Hygienist who worked in Germany
Charlotte worked in Germany at American Dental Practice under Dr. Tam Hager, DMD in Kaiserslautern, from 2015 until 2020. Here she is pictured with a beloved patient-turned-friend. Charlotte is a graduate of Mississippi Delta Community College, class of 2008.
Australia and Germany – Toni Massey, BSDH, RDH
A hygienist who conquered the Australian outback.
Toni got the opportunity to work in Australia and loved it. Learn about her experience, including passing the Australian dental hygiene boards. You can read her bio here.
Dubai, UAE – Demika Levy, RDH
Get to know this hygienist practicing in the Arabian desert.
Demika worked in private settings and public health before moving to Dubai. Learn about how she is managing is such a transient environment. You can read her bio here.
Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Jamaica – Alanna Kirschner, RDH
Get to know this hygienist who has practiced both in the mountains and at the beach.
Learn about this traveling hygienist who worked in Liechtenstein and now works in Jamaica in private practice and as a health coach. You can read her bio here.
Germany – Sarah Twiford, RDH, BSDH
This hygienist didn’t stop until she fulfilled her dream of working in Europe.
Sarah is from the lovely state of Washington but always wanted to study or work abroad. Learn about the steps she took to make her dream a reality. You can read her bio here.
Germany – Cindy M. Canada-Flores, RDH, RDA
Get to know this hygienist who loves the history and nature that her life in Germany opened up to her.
Cindy made the big move from southern California to Germany with her husband and 2 cats in 2019. She enjoys her new life and wishes she had made the move sooner! You can read her bio here.
Singapore – Shaylynn Skene, MPH, LDH, BSDH
Dental hygiene allowed Shaylynn to the discover new adventures that she was looking for and work at the same time.
Shaylynn is from Indiana with both chairside and teaching experience, but working abroad has become her passion. Learn what it’s like to work as a hygienist in S.E. Asia. You can read her bio here.
Ghana – Raquel Cofield RDH, RN
Get to know this hygienist who hails from Virginia, but found an amazing life and fulfilment in Ghana.
Raquel made the move to Ghana, following in her daughter’s footsteps. She enjoys her beautiful, high-tech office in the fascinating beachside city of Accra! You can read her bio here.
