Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - (Page 50)

close | MOONLIGHTING Dance therapy Donna Brogan, RDH, BS, is a graduate of the Univ. of Oklahoma Dental Hygiene Program. She is a clinical instructor at her alma mater and has 12 years experience in private practice. She is an active member in the ADHA and is the Editor for the Oklahoma Dental Hygiene Association. How choreography keeps this hygienist in the right professional rhythm. by Donna Brogan, RDH, BS Growing up in a military family can be tough on a young girl—how do you make new friends every two years? Colleen Kirkpatrick of Tulsa, Okla., used dance. Today, in addition to being a talented dental hygienist, Ms. Kirkpatrick is a dancer, actress, and choreographer. Colleen began taking traditional dance classes in ballet, tap, and jazz at age 9, and those rhythms offered some stability as her family moved from city to city. When she finished school and was looking for a place to settle— siblings spread out across the country and her parents retired and traveling—Colleen chose Tulsa, where she had a few friends. “In the ‘80s and ‘90s Tulsa had a thriving dance scene for independent dancers like me,” Ms. Kirkpatrick remembers. “I was invited to become a dance artist in the local Tulsa Arts and Humanities Council. Their Arts in Education programs were phenomenal; grants from the Lincoln Center Institute, the Oklahoma Arts Council and private foundations provided opportunities for teaching as well as performing.” She was earning money in a way she thought was a part of her past. “It was awesome to work hygiene two to three days a week, and the other two to three days, I was dancing. It’s been a big part of my life and a great way of making money,” she says. In addition to the extra dough, dance became a form of therapy, helping her stave off the impact of clinical posture and poor ergonomics. “I’ve kept my body healthy by paying attention to the imbalances and correcting those imbalances with proper dance technique, strengthening exercises and most recently yoga and breathing.” Ms. Kirkpatrick also donates a lot of her time. “I realize dance is a God given gift so I give back at church, doing workshops with teens and choreographing movement for worship and special services during holidays,” she says.She also donates her dental hygienist skills as a volunteer with local organizations, Neighbor For Neighbor, World Dental Relief, and other charities. “We are so blessed to have such a flexible career,” Ms. Kirkpatrick emphasizes. “Dental hygiene can support you or supplement your life while you do other things you enjoy. Keeping other interests in my life makes me feel more refreshed and energized to give my patients quality care on the days I practice clinically.” mh playbill Colleen’s appearances include Working, Damn Yankees, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Little Shop of Horrors, and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. 50 modernhygienist.com | October 2008 PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES http://www.modernhygienist.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Modern Hygienist - October 2008

Modern Hygienist - October 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Letters News Modern Solutions Trends: Homecare Trends: Perio Trends: Ergo Trends: Mid Care After Chemo Professional Rewind Esthetic Expertise: Make or Break Relationship Hands-on Hygiene: Have You Seen the Light? Going the Distance Training for Life Presi-dental Politics Ad Index Moonlighting

Modern Hygienist - October 2008

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