What inspired you to become part of the dental profession?
My oldest brother, Dr. Robert Flennaugh, a dentist in Seattle, Washington, was very inspirational to me. He suggested I consider the benefits of the rewarding, flexible and semi-independent profession of dental hygiene. My brother was always the first in everything. We grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he was the first African American to graduate from high school and become class president. He was also the first African American to graduate from the University of Washington School of Dentistry and served as regent of the University of Washington.

How long have you been involved in the profession?
Twenty seven years. Graduating from the University of California at San Francisco in 1976, I immediately began working as a dental hygienist in Oakland in a general dentistry practice. For five years I taught a dental assisting class in Oakland Public Schools Adult Education.

What is your specialty, and how did you get there?
Dental hygienist in general dentistry practices is my specialty in Oakland and Berkeley, California. I enjoy involvement in my professional associations. I currently serve as the vice president of the American Dental Hygienists Association.

What do you like best about working in the field?
I like the one-on-one interaction with the patients in an atmosphere where you can make a positive difference -- to put them at ease and teach the benefits of prevention and oral health. It is especially important because of the link between oral health and systemic health. It's rewarding for me to do something to help people improve their oral health.

If there's an issue with discomfort or pain, it helps lead me to other health or medical areas that may be of concern. I use what they bring to table to broaden discussions of their general health. Oral health has many links to general health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and premature children.

How do you deal with patients ranging from children to elderly?
It's a challenge, but I love it. We encourage parents to bring in their children at two years. We try to get young children to want to do what their parents are doing. We count teeth with them and shine the light in their mouths so they have fun during their first dental experience. When it's time to have their teeth examined and cleaned they can't wait for the appointment.

With the elderly you have to treat them differently, giving respect to their age and dental conditions. I saw a gentleman who suffered a stroke and was in a wheelchair. After I finished cleaning his teeth and handed him a mirror, a big smile appeared on his face. That was a pleasant experience for me. No one wants to eat when there is pain and debris in the mouth. My goal is to provide relief from pain and discomfort.

How do you address health care disparities among minority populations within your profession?
I am working in the San Francisco Bay Area, so I don't see disparities as much as dentists might. For most people it's the economy.

What, if any, barriers or challenges have you personally had to overcome?
When I called the dental hygiene school to inquire about the program, the person on the phone suggested I might want to consider another profession. She said that many dentists would have concerns about hiring African American hygienists because patients might object. I didn't let her discourage me. There have been two instances while working where I felt a subtle hint of discrimination from an employer, but I've never been fired from a job.

What are the greatest challenges within the profession?
In 2000 I was appointed to the Dental Board of California by the governor. As a member of the Dental Board of California I had an opportunity to address issues that would allow dental hygienists to establish an independent dental hygiene board. The scope of practice for dental hygienists needs to be broadened in order to increase consumer access to care. If dental hygienists were allowed to provide their services with fewer restrictions, a larger number of the underserved populations would be able to receive vital preventative services.

The politics in dentistry has really become interesting over the last five years. Dental hygienists in California with additional education can gain a license as a Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP). The RDHAP is not restricted to providing dental hygiene services in the presence of the dentist in the dental office or clinic. With a prescription from the dentist or physician, the RDHAP can provide dental hygiene services to patients in nursing homes, private homes or in a dental hygiene practice in underserved areas.

We want to be able to go into nursing homes and private homes to treat the people who do not have access to the dentist. RDHAP would provide dental cleanings and other therapeutic services We also would visit schools or community centers, providing dental screenings and evaluations, and refer the children to dentists for restorative treatment. Dental hygiene is all about prevention.

What are your proudest accomplishments in your profession? In your life?
Professional: Being appointed to the Dental Board of California -- I was nominated by the California Dental Hygienists' Association, and the nomination was accepted by Governor Gray Davis. I've also had the opportunity to serve as president of the California Dental Hygienists' Association, as well as president of the National Dental Hygienists' Association, an association of African American dental hygienists.

In June 2003 I was elected vice president of the American Dental Hygienists' Association.

I love volunteering in my professional associations. It satisfies the lawyer in me. I like to debate and challenge issues adversely affecting consumers and the interests of the profession of dental hygiene.

Personal: I have been involved with my church, the Church by the Side of the Road in Berkeley, California, since my early teens. I currently serve as chair of the Board of Trustees. I love singing in my church choir. If I could be Luther Vandross' backup singer for just one night, I would die and go to heaven! Music is my outlet. I even had the privilege to sing the national anthem during the opening session of the ADHA annual meeting.

Who is/are your role model(s) or mentor(s)?
My brother, Dr. Robert Flennaugh; Joanne Galliano, a dental hygienist in California; and Norma Francisco, a dental hygienist and one of my instructors at UCSF, who introduced me to the National Dental Hygienists' Association.

What are your plans for the future?
I'd like to take the certification course to obtain the RDHAP license. I want to be able to provide dental services in nursing homes and private homes. There's something about the joy of providing service to someone who couldn't receive it otherwise.

What words of wisdom do you have for students just graduating?
This is one of the best opportunities to provide service. You have to be willing to serve, and that is the best reward. When you give of yourself, give of yourself in a caring way.

What makes a good hygienist?
You have to love what you do. Have dexterity that's gentle but thorough. Be able to teach and convey principles. There is a given response to everything that we do. You have to be able to communicate to your patients. You can't lecture them about flossing, but you can educate them about making it something that they can appreciate. The sensitivity has to be both physical and emotional.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I do a lot of desktop publishing, especially for family and class reunions. I've created a family tree and history database on the computer, which is distributed to family members. I also chair my high school class reunions. In 2004, we're celebrating our 40-year reunion from Oakland Technical High School.