Raven Colson
Charlotte
Summary
Registered Dental Hygienist with over eight years of clinical experience and a passion for developing the next generation of dental professionals. Proven leader, mentor, and healthcare advocate with experience guiding students and early-career clinicians through professional growth, career exploration, and leadership development. Component Trustee for the North Carolina Dental Hygienists' Association, two-time published dental author, and current Master of Healthcare Administration candidate with a strong understanding of today's dental hiring landscape, compensation trends, and workforce challenges. Recognized for building meaningful relationships, delivering engaging educational presentations, and helping future hygienists confidently navigate career decisions while connecting clinical expertise with the business of dentistry.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Dental Hygienist
Guardian Dentistry Partners
Matthews, NC
04.2026 - Current
- Delivered comprehensive patient education on oral hygiene practices and preventive care techniques.
- Collaborated with dentists to develop tailored treatment plans for diverse patient needs.
- Conducted thorough dental cleanings, utilizing advanced tools and technologies to ensure optimal patient comfort.
- Implemented infection control protocols, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and safety in the clinical environment.
Dental Hygienist
PDS Health, University Modern Dentistry
Charlotte, NC
03.2025 - 04.2026
- Performing dental cleanings and scaling's
- Conducting oral health assessments
- Taking dental X-rays
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Educating patients on oral hygiene practices
- Administering local anesthesia (NY)
- Assisting dentists during procedures
- Maintaining patient records and documentation
- Sterilizing dental instruments
- Conducting periodontal charting
Lead Dental Hygienist
Aspen Dental
New York, NY, Charlotte NC
05.2023 - 05.2025
- Mentored hygienists, fostering professional development and skill enhancement.
- Trained staff on advanced dental technologies and best practices for optimal patient outcomes.
- Promoted a positive workplace culture by fostering open communication among team members and addressing concerns promptly.
- Conducted in-depth patient assessments, delivering personalized oral health education and recommendations.
- Streamlined clinical workflows, improving efficiency in patient treatment processes.
- Implemented new hygiene protocols, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Dental Assistant
Den-Temp Staffing
Mount Sinai, NY
12.2020 - 05.2023
- Assisted dentists, hygienists, and other personnel by handing appropriate tools and supplies needed for procedures.
- Cleaned and sanitized dental tools and equipment, straightened treatment rooms, and restocked supplies to prep for the next patient and maintain health and safety practices.
- Staged tray for procedures by arranging dental instruments and equipment.
- Successfully assisted the dentist by performing four-handed dentistry and other chair-side duties.
- Created dental impressions used for diagnostics and study casts to make dental prosthetics.
- Assisted dentists by passing instruments, suctioning intra-oral fluids, mixing materials for fillings, casts and impressions.
Dental Assistant
Bella Smiles at Nesconset
Nesconset, NY
11.2019 - 05.2023
- Exposed, developed and mounted dental x-rays.
- Assisted dentists, hygienists, and other personnel by handing appropriate tools and supplies needed for procedures.
- Cleaned and sanitized dental tools and equipment, straightened treatment rooms, and restocked supplies to prep for the next patient and maintain health and safety practices.
- Staged tray for procedures by arranging dental instruments and equipment.
- Successfully assisted the dentist by performing four-handed dentistry and other chair-side duties.
- Created dental impressions used for diagnostics and study casts to make other dental prosthetics.
- Assisted dentists by passing instruments, suctioning intra-oral fluids, mixing materials for fillings, casts and impressions.
Education
Masters - Healthcare Administration
Louisiana State University
Shreveport, LA05-2027
Bachelor of Science - Dental Hygiene
Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, NY05-2023
Skills
- Patient Education & Communication
- Relationship Building
- Professional Mentorship
- Leadership & Team Collaboration
- Public Speaking & Presentation Delivery
- Continuing Education Support
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Clinical Training & Onboarding
- Dental Practice Operations
- Healthcare Administration
- Dental Insurance & Treatment Planning
- Electronic Health Records (Epic)
- Organizational & Time Management Skills
- Problem Solving
- Conflict Resolution
- Adaptability
Accomplishments
- President, Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association (SADHA) | 2022–2023
- Component 2 Trustee, North Carolina Dental Hygienists’ Association (NCDHA) | September 2025–Present
- Represent and advocate for dental hygienists at the component level
Affiliations
American Dental Hygienist Association
North Carolina Dental Hygienist Association
Timeline
Dental Hygienist
Guardian Dentistry Partners
04.2026 - Current
Dental Hygienist
PDS Health, University Modern Dentistry
03.2025 - 04.2026
Lead Dental Hygienist
Aspen Dental
05.2023 - 05.2025
Dental Assistant
Den-Temp Staffing
12.2020 - 05.2023
Dental Assistant
Bella Smiles at Nesconset
11.2019 - 05.2023
Bachelor of Science - Dental Hygiene
Farmingdale State College
Masters - Healthcare Administration
Louisiana State University
Awards
Awarded 2nd place for 2021 Farmingdale State College Dental Hygiene Symposium
Awarded the BS Entry Level Program Award in 2023 by the Suffolk County Dental Society
Awarded Presidents Award for Excellence in 2023 by the New York Dental Hygienist Association
Publications
- The Potential of Ozone Therapy in Dentistry
Publisher: The Journal of Professional Excellence Dimensions of Dental Hygiene
Publication Date: June 21, 2024
- The Potential of Ozone Therapy to Support Oral Health
Publisher: Decisions in Dentistry
Publication Date: September 20, 2024