The Navy creates opportunities for Sailors, giving them chances to learn trades or get degrees, and one Sailor on board USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) has taken advantage of both.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Amanda Thompson has been the only certified dental hygienist aboard Stennis since July, earning her associates degree and certification through the Navy.

“It’s very competitive when it comes to the Navy choosing who gets to be a certified hygienist,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Maria Troz, Thompson’s leading petty officer. “To put it in perspective, there was a year-long gap between her and the last certified hygienist on Stennis.”

To be a certified dental hygienist, Thompson went from corpsman school to Pensacola Junior College to earn her associates degree in dental hygiene.

To be accepted into the school, Thompson put together a package that included recommendations from dental officers, master chiefs and chiefs.

Thompson said she works one-on-one with her Stennis patients to make treatment plans, explain disease and show them disease control therapy.

“I’m constantly busy with a heavy workload,” said Thompson. “As the only dental hygienist, I see on average five to six Stennis patients a day.”

“I have so much confidence in her because she just got out of school so everything is still fresh in her mind,” said Troz. “She’s been doing a great job with so much expected out of her.”

Thompson even took it upon herself to create the “self care contract,” an agreement between her and her patients to brush and floss daily.

“When my patients sign this contract, I actually see a lot of improvement the next time they visit, so I think it’s great,” said Thompson.

Thompson’s commitment to dental hygiene isn’t limited to Stennis crew members.

“I think brushing and flossing is so important that I do it for my Chihuahua weekly,” said Thompson.

Thompson takes her job seriously and the Sailors aboard are benefiting from her enthusiasm, experience and training.