Oct. 13, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Working with students with diverse talents and backgrounds is what brings GRCC Dental Faculty member Christine Dobberstein to work every day.
“Students each bring something unique to the classroom and I am constantly learning from them,” Dobberstein said.
And her program gives back, making sure students are qualified for in demand jobs when they graduate.
“GRCC dental faculty have a strong alliance with their professional organizations and proven teaching and learning skills,” Dobberstein said.
Faculty are also highly skilled. Dobberstein holds an A.A.A.S in Dental Hygiene, a bachelor’s degree in Allied Health and Public Health Education and a master’s degree in education
She switched to teaching full time after working in dental hygiene, and later in public health and adjunct teaching positions.
“Once I began teaching full time I found it to be a new and invigorating challenge, as it utilized my clinical skills as well as my love of literature reviews and scientific research,” Dobberstein said.
“Early in my career I wish someone would have encouraged me to investigate all the options in the dental field. There is so much more out there to utilize our talents besides working for a dentist in private practices.”
Dobberstein empowers students with the information she knows they need to make smart career choices in her classes: DHY 122 Nutrition and Oral Disease Prevention; DHY 129 Clinical Dental Hygiene I; DHY 249 Clinical Dental Hygiene II; DHY 244 Community Dental Health I; DHY 254 Community Dental Health II; DHY 138 Dental Hygiene Patient Care and Management I; DHY 241 Dental Hygiene Patient Care and Management II; and DXX 128 Dental Radiography.
Learn how you can get the credits necessary for eligibility for Registered Dental Hygiene licensure, Registered Dental Assisting licensure, and transferability for a bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene by emailing dental@grcc.edu.
GRCC’s on-campus dental hygiene clinic is open to the public Monday through Thursday. To schedule an appointment call(616) 234-4237.