How Jennifer Barkans expanded her career with Ohio State online’s RDH to Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene completion program

Pursuing higher education is a powerful way for dental hygienists to broaden their impact—and that’s exactly what Jennifer Barkans did when she enrolled in Ohio State Online’s RDH to Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene (RDH to BS) program. 

After years of considering her next step, Jennifer decided in late 2021 to go back to school to open new doors in her profession. “I knew I wanted to expand my education, and completing my degree felt like the right first step,” she explained.

Why Ohio State and how the program fit her life 

Jennifer chose Ohio State for its flexibility and fully online format. “I liked that Ohio State offered the program entirely online,” she shared. “When I reached out to Margo Coates (Assistant Director of Academic Studies), she was incredibly helpful in navigating the application process, especially as I’m an international student.” 

Working full-time while completing the program part-time over five semesters, Jennifer found the flexibility crucial. “It was a challenge at first, especially after a 10-year break from school, but good organization made it manageable.”  

Courses, community, and career impact

Two courses were especially pivotal in Jennifer’s journey: 

• Research Methods: “It was a challenge and my first course back, but it introduced me to the world of research and made me consider pursuing my master’s degree.” 

• Capstone Project: “It was research-based and built on my earlier coursework. Although intimidating at first, it turned out to be an incredible experience that opened doors in dental hygiene.” 

Even electives outside dental hygiene helped her grow as a student and clinician, particularly those focused on public health and access to care. “I really enjoyed learning about access to care and publicly funded dental programs.” 

Despite being an online student, Jennifer felt well-connected through virtual office hours, video interactions, and weekly discussions. “Those connections made the learning experience feel more personal,” she said. 

Faculty support that made a difference 

Jennifer credits much of her success to the program’s supportive faculty: 

• Margo Coates helped her stay organized and on track.  

• Professor Messina inspired her to consider graduate school. 

• Professor Chartier guided her return to academic writing. 

• Professor Kissell supported her through mentorship challenges. 

• Professor Henderson made time to meet in person and offer encouragement. 

Even when Jennifer encountered challenges with content access in Canada, faculty stepped in with flexible, alternative solutions. 

Growth beyond the classroom 

Jennifer’s learning translated directly into practice. “I’ve been more committed to evidence-based treatment and continuously expanding my knowledge,” she said. “This helps me better understand my patients’ medical conditions and needs.” 

The program also helped build her confidence and leadership skills. “Speaking with confidence to patients and colleagues is something that’s grown immensely,” she noted, adding that she now enjoys mentoring other hygienists.

Looking ahead 

Jennifer’s experience has sparked a new passion for advocacy and change. Her capstone thesis focused on the gap between hygienists’ education and their legal scope of practice—an issue she hopes to address through further research and policy work. 

Her advice to future students? “Go for it, but ease in slowly—especially if you’ve been out of school for a while. With the right balance and organization, it’s very doable. This program can transform your perspective and how you care for your community.”  

One word: passion 

“If I could describe this program in one word, it’s passion,” Jennifer said. “The faculty are passionate, the program is structured with purpose, and it reignites your own passion for dental hygiene.” 

Ready to learn more? Ohio State Online’s RDH to Bachelor of Science completion program offers the flexibility, support, and academic rigor to help you advance your career and make a meaningful impact. Whether you’re passionate about clinical practice, public health, or education, Ohio State can help you get there. Connect with an advisor today or start your online RDH-BS completion application. Your future advancement in the dental hygiene field awaits.