Student to faculty: Jamie Bishop’s journey in dental hygiene education 

For Jamie Bishop, BSDH, MDH, a career in dental hygiene wasn’t part of the original plan. She envisioned a future in journalism and communications, fueled by a love of creative writing. But a lifelong interest in dentistry, and an unexpected conversation during a summer babysitting job, changed everything. 

Today, Bishop serves as an Assistant Professor-Clinical in the Division of Dental Hygiene at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, where she teaches and mentors the same type of students she once stood beside. Her journey from undergraduate student to faculty member demonstrates how a dental hygiene education can open doors far beyond clinical practice. 

Discovering a passion for dentistry 

Growing up, Bishop always enjoyed visiting the dentist. Her childhood dentist happened to be her neighbor, making each appointment feel personal and memorable. Later, after orthodontic treatment transformed her own smile, she became fascinated with dentistry and found herself noticing smiles everywhere. Still, she never imagined dentistry would become her profession. 

“I planned to pursue journalism,” Bishop said. “It wasn’t until a young girl I was babysitting suggested I should become a dentist that I began seriously thinking about a career in oral healthcare.” 

Sometimes, the best career advice comes from the most unexpected places.   

Choosing Ohio State

After being accepted to both Miami University and Ohio State, Bishop initially enrolled at Ohio State as a pre-dentistry student. It didn’t take long for her goals to evolve. 

“As I learned more about dentistry, I realized dental hygiene offered everything I was looking for,” she said. “It combined my interest in healthcare with a career that would provide flexibility, stability and the opportunity to one day balance my professional and family life.” 

She chose to remain at Ohio State to earn her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, recognizing that a bachelor’s degree would create opportunities for future graduate education, leadership roles and career advancement.  

More than ‘cleaning teeth’  

When prospective students ask Bishop about dental hygiene, she encourages them to look beyond common misconceptions. 

“Dental hygienists are much more than people who clean teeth,” she explained. “We are healthcare professionals who focus on disease prevention, patient education, comprehensive assessments, radiography and individualized patient care.” 

She also reminds students that earning a dental hygiene degree requires commitment. 

“The program is rigorous,” Bishop said. “There will be long days and challenging weeks, but those experiences prepare you to become a confident clinician. By the time you graduate, you’ll realize just how much you’ve grown.” 

Continuing the journey  

Although Bishop always intended to pursue graduate education, she wanted to gain clinical experience first. 

What she expected would be a short break became more than a decade in private practice. 

“I’ve always loved learning and teaching,” she said. “Looking back, the years I spent practicing made me a better educator because they gave me valuable real-world experience.” 

When the timing aligned during the COVID-19 pandemic, she enrolled in Ohio State’s Master’s in Dental Hygiene program, fulfilling a goal she had held since her undergraduate years. 

A full-circle moment    

Today, Bishop enjoys helping students navigate the same journey she once experienced. 

“What makes me most proud is the meaningful relationships I’ve built with students,” she said. “When graduates tell me I helped shape their confidence and growth as clinicians, that’s incredibly rewarding.” 

Her story demonstrates that a dental hygiene education doesn’t have to end after graduation. For many professionals, it’s just the beginning of a career filled with opportunities to lead, teach and inspire the next generation. 

 Ready to take the next step?

Explore Ohio State’s online RDH to Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and Master of Science in Dental Hygiene programs to see how flexible, high-quality education can help you reach your next professional goal. Reach out to one of our expert Enrollment Advisors to learn more today.