A day in their scrubs

Media Resources/Steven Doll

Meet DH2 Natalie Chapman

This month we hear from DH2 Natalie Chapman, who recently was selected to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association Student Advisory Board. As a member of the board, Chapman has the opportunity to directly impact ADHA’s Student Track and Center for Lifelong Learning. Not bad for this newbie to the profession whose former life was spent studying public relations and education and then working as a junior high English teacher.

Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Dental hygiene school survival strategy: My survival strategy for life in general is to surround myself with laughter. There’s nothing better after a long day at school than to come home and laugh with my family and friends or watch something funny on TV. A sense of humor can cure so many things in life!

Most productive time of day: I have a long commute every day, and that gives me lots of thinking time. I often don’t listen to the radio or any music, which shocks some people, but I use that time to focus my thoughts. I’m not a night owl or a morning person, so to be most productive, I have to be prepared to catch the few good hours in the evening to study before I fall asleep. 

Best way to unwind after a long day in the clinic or lab: I love baseball and feel lucky to live so close to the Rangers’ Ballpark in Arlington. I go to games as often as I can, and love the people watching almost as much as I love the game. Also, if I’m being completely honest, I love watching reality TV. Sometimes your brain just needs to decompress by watching nonsense television! 

How you plan to find the balance between leadership for ADHA and keeping up with your studies: I have always thrived on being very involved in leadership activities. When I was a teacher, I immersed myself in responsibilities outside of the classroom because I enjoy being involved and “in the know.” Being active in the dental hygiene professional community is important on so many levels, and I feel very honored that I will have the opportunity to have a voice for other students through the ADHA Student Advisory Board. I am extremely organized and structured, which will hopefully be the key to successfully balancing the tasks of leadership and studying.  

Favorite energy food: I know it’s not food, but I cannot get by without my morning coffee and Diet Dr Pepper throughout the day. I quit drinking Dr Pepper earlier this year because it’s bad for your teeth, but it was torture! So now I’m back on them. Best decision ever. Don’t tell my dentist!   

Goal after graduation: I absolutely love that the field of dental hygiene offers so many career options in addition to working in a clinical setting. Immediately after graduation, I look forward to working in a private practice office to gain experience as a hygienist and learn more about the profession. Beyond that, I see dental hygiene education in my future. I also hope to volunteer in the dental community. 

What people may not know about you: I may complain about it just like every other student, but I love being in school! I have a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a master’s in education; I’m going to go out on a limb and say that my BSDH degree probably won’t be my last. I love the challenge of learning and pushing myself to achieve more. Dental hygiene is a career change for me. I feel so lucky to not only have the chance to reinvent myself, but to do so at one of the best dental hygiene schools in the country! I’m so grateful to be at Baylor learning from the best.