Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month we are showcasing Martelle Coke, Founder of BrownGirlRDH, a platform for women in dental hygiene to connect, share experiences, and provide support.
Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene as a career?
I wanted to help people. I have a compassion for helping. My sister had a bad toothache as a kid and was in agony. No one helped her. I can remember my grandma looking at my sister while she was crying on the kitchen floor in pain. My grandma said, “If you think that’s bad, you better not have a baby.” My mom ended up taking her to the dentist. She went in holding her face, crying, and when she walked out of the dentist’s office, she was holding her face the same way, but she was smiling. I can never forget the weight lifted off me because she wasn’t in pain anymore. We were around 12 and 13 years old at the time.
Why did you decide to start BrownGirl RDH?
There was a lack of people that looked like me in dentistry. I had the answer to why, because I almost didn’t make it due to finances, support, mentorship, and lack of resources, and decided to do something about it.
Can you tell us a little about the organization?
Mission: BrownGirl, RDH is an organization of donors, sponsors, and dental professionals committed to providing solutions to women’s health issues linked to oral health, eliminating access to care barriers in underserved communities, creating opportunities for economic stability, and building a diverse and inclusive workforce through research, education, development, advocacy, diversity, and inclusion.
Vision: We work to connect donors, sponsors, and dental professionals with projects, programs, and innovative solutions to expand access and provide preventative and treatment services to underserved populations, bridge the gap between women’s health and oral health, and provide support and opportunities to minorities seeking advancement in oral care.
What can dental professionals do to create a more diverse and inclusive industry?
Recruiting from organizations like BrownGirl, RDH can expand the hiring pool by offering positions to qualified persons outside of the obvious circles.
Do you have a mentor in the industry?
No, I have a handful of people that have inspired me but not a mentor. We all have a higher power within us that if we listen, we can do great things. If you pay attention, no one really has it figured out. I refuse to be led by the blind; instead, I listen to my inner self.
What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
Being able to retire myself and creating jobs and opportunities for others.
You can find Martelle at @BrownGirlRDH on all platforms.
