Linda A. Benson

A dental hygienist with over 9 years of clinical experience with a priority to deliver care in public health settings with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention. Dedicated to providing top-quality care and patient experiences. My strong interpersonal skills and cultural competence have been recognized for building strong relationships within diverse populations, with a primary focus on the pediatric population. Through a new initiative, at NYC Health + Hospitals at Woodhull Medical Center a FQHC, I provide dental screenings to children within the primary care clinic and help bridge the gaps to access of dental care to underrepresented and under-resourced communities.

• Dental Hygiene License - 028558
• Dental Hygiene Anesthesia License - 004630
• Proliability Malpractice Insurance
• BLS (CPR) certification

• Team Smiles Prince William Country Community Foundation Back-to-School Program (2023) - Provided children with free preventative services and oral health education.
• Veterans Clinic, New York University (Jan 2019-March 2020) - Volunteered on Saturdays, providing preventative dental care to the Veterans population. While being mindful of special considerations.
• Career Day Fair, P.S 169 (March 2016-March 2019) - Participated in school-wide career day at P.S 169, sharing roles and responsibilities of different dental professionals. Along with speaking and encouraging increased diversity and inclusivity of underrepresented groups in the field.
• Washington County,Maine (April 2015)- Participated in a clinical outreach program focused on providing
  comprehensive and preventative oral care to an under served community lacking access to dental providers a economic hardship.
• New York University College of Dentistry, Smiling Faces Van (Jan-Jun 2015)- participated in improving access and
  providing care to children regardless of their medical or financial status, in addition to working with the community and
  public schools to provide oral health education and treatment to children.
• Oral Cancer Walk, New York (April 2013, 2014, 2015) - Educated walkers on signs and early detection of oral cancer,
  through group sessions.
• Poughkeepsie, New York (October 2014)- Participated in a clinical outreach program that provided free dental services
  to elementary age children facing barriers to oral healthcare including a dearth of dental providers, economic hardship
  and inadequate health insurance coverage.

Vice President Pre-Dental Society at Rutgers School of Graduate Studies 2024: In my role as the Vice President, I effectively functioned as the President's closest advisor, working hand in hand to foster collaboration and facilitate the smooth execution of tasks aimed at driving the club forward amidst a myriad of complex challenges and issues. I supported the president by overseeing club meetings, maintaining contact with the advisor, organizing meetings, handling emails, booking meeting rooms, and assisting with member recruitment.

Community Service Outreach Chair at Rutgers School of Graduate Studies 2023: As the Community Service Outreach Chair, I served to find and organize volunteer opportunities for members of the PDS to participate in. I collaborated with the officers of the PDS and club advisors to organize suitable community outreach events. I also reached out to other Rutgers and local organizations to explore collaboration opportunities related to volunteer work. Additionally, I contacted DAT Study Aids for discount codes and subscriptions to use for raffles.

Leadership Retreat 2021- New York University: Selected by Dean's Office to participate in NYU Dentistry's 2021 Annual Leadership Retreat. The retreat was a three-day, virtual experience designed for NYU dental students and staff to promote advanced leadership theory and application. Attendees viewed presentations and engaged in workshops designed to promote self-reflection and skill-building while exploring the impact of leadership on the dental profession. I was fortunate to be the only hygienist invited to attend and enjoyed many of the sessions that focused on supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within leadership roles.