Erenfeld Elevates Dental Hygiene Career with Online Master’s Degree

Fifteen years after earning her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, Holly Erenfeld decided to take the leap and go for her master’s degree online at Ohio State…and it paid off in a big way. 

Born and raised in Ohio, Erenfeld became a Portland transplant on the West Coast. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Oregon Health and Science University in 2002 and had not considered returning to school as an adult learner. However, with a nudge from other leaders around her, she ultimately decided to enroll in Ohio State’s online Master of Science in Dental Hygiene program. 

We spoke with Erenfeld to learn more about her story and how earning her master’s degree online has impacted her career today.

Tell us more about you and your current work at Pacific University. 

I’ve worked at Pacific University in Hillsboro, Oregon since 2010. I started as an adjunct professor and am now an assistant professor for the senior class as the clinical lead. My primary role is to measure seniors' clinical and fieldwork performance, be a guide and resource for students, and keep them on track for graduation. I have taught several didactic courses and am currently teaching a communication course to first-year dental hygiene students. I am also an advisor to ten students and follow their progress during their time in hygiene school. The most rewarding part of my job is watching the growth of my students from the beginning of senior year to the end of graduation. I love seeing that development and transformation to where they’re ready for their future.

In addition to my full-time position, last year I was voted as the Chair-Elect for the nationally recognized American Dental Education Association (ADEA)'s Section of Dental Hygiene Education. This 3-year commitment is a national leadership role in which I have the privilege to work with hygienists from all over the United States and Canada.

What led you to pursue a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene online? 

During my time working as an adjunct professor, I was encouraged to continue my education by several colleagues. I also signed up for a leadership course through ADEA titled, “Leadership Essentials for Allied Dental Educators.” During this eight-week online course, I met people of all ages and backgrounds who were starting second careers, master’s programs, and doctorate programs. It got me thinking of my own professional goals and so I started the research process.  I was raising my two teenage boys at the time so I knew an online program would fit best with my family commitments. I was so excited when I discovered The Ohio State University had an online Masters Program in Dental Hygiene. I grew up in Ohio and it was always a dream to be a real Buckeye!  My family was so proud since many of them are alumni.

"I was so excited when I discovered The Ohio State University had an online Masters Program in Dental Hygiene.  I grew up in Ohio and it was always a dream to be a real Buckeye!  My family was so proud since many of them are alumni."

What is a unique aspect of the online master's in dental hygiene program at Ohio State? 

One of the unique aspects of the master's program at Ohio State was choosing a thesis topic right away. At the beginning of the program, we all came to Ohio State’s campus for a three-day orientation, where I had the chance to brainstorm with the program director and my assigned advisor on topics of interest to me. The graduate courses I took were designed to get an early start on the research and to continue working on the thesis process in subsequent courses until I had a finished product. I loved so much how this process worked that I’ve replicated it with the capstone groups I mentor. I guide my students to write things in their own words the entire time, so when they are ready to complete their research paper, a lot of it is already written.

How would you describe the support you received during your time in the online program? 

I was assigned a faculty mentor right away in the online Master of Science in Dental Hygiene program, and I met with them frequently. All my professors were quick to respond to questions that came up. I even had one instructor who would send me emails just to check in. She still sends me emails today, telling me how she’s been watching my career and that she's so proud of me. All of the support just felt so natural. Another wonderful aspect was my cohort. We exchanged phone numbers early on and were able to support each other with clarifying assignments and due dates. Even though the other members of my cohort were in Ohio, we had a great sense of community.

I also found a mentor in my own state who supported me along the way and was by my side when I presented my thesis to faculty from Pacific University in person, along with Ohio State faculty online. I really appreciated the collaborative work between the two universities.

"All my professors were quick to respond to questions that came up. I even had one instructor who would send me emails just to check in. She still sends me emails today, telling me how she’s been watching my career and that she's so proud of me. All of the support just felt so natural."

Describe your experience learning online. 

I found it very easy to learn online because we had a lot of asynchronous courses, meaning we could log in at any time to complete our work. But, we also would frequently all come together on Zoom and talk face-to-face about the courses. The synchronous time online was my favorite, where we would discuss current trends and hot topics in dental hygiene. On Carmen (Ohio State’s online learning platform), everything was organized and easy to follow, so I always knew what was expected for each course. Everything you need is right there at your fingertips.

What advice would you give prospective students to help them succeed in an online program? 

Be organized. Make connections with people in your program and reach out to faculty when you have questions because they’ll always respond. Finally, don’t overwhelm yourself in the first semester as an adult learner, but instead, ease into your new workload if you can. 

Finally, what would you tell someone considering Ohio State’s online Master of Science in Dental Hygiene program? 

I would tell people it’s a valuable next step if you’re ready to pursue education and leadership in dental hygiene. There are so many aspects of the program – like the leadership course – that will give you the confidence you need to achieve your career steps. Personally, my master’s degree has helped me reach my goals in academia and gain leadership positions. One of my coworkers was interested in getting her master's degree and I’ve talked so much about the online program at Ohio State that she’s currently enrolled!

Ready to have a story like Holly’s and take the next step in your dental hygiene career? Request more information about Ohio State’s online Master of Science in Dental Hygiene program today.