April 2025

Growing up in a small rural area in central Pennsylvania, I had the opportunity to attend a local career and technical center, and dental assisting seemed like the most interesting health care program offered. After completing the dental assisting program and working part-time for a local periodontist, I decided to expand on my education and journeyed into dental hygiene. Now 26 years later, I know I made the right decision as my love for dentistry continues to grow.

I have followed PCOH over the years as key opinion leaders advocating for change not only for our patients, but for the dental workforce too. As I take on my new role with the PA Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC), I am excited to work closely with PCOH and contribute to advocacy and improvements for oral health in our community and state.

Oral health disparities. They persist across various demographics including age, education, insurance, access to care, and poverty to name a few. Addressing these barriers/social determinants of health is a multifaced challenge and needs a multifaced approach to reduce/eliminate such disparities.

Work on integrating oral health into the overall health care system and ensuring that medical and dental care providers collaborate for better health outcomes. To achieve this goal, I would like to see more hospital systems and primary care providers add dental assistants and dental hygienists as active members of the care team.

Networking and collaborating with key opinion leaders across the state in advancing research, improving patient care, and influencing the broader health care community.

Yoga, yoga, yoga! As a dental hygienist, I have found yoga to be my outlet for mental and physical relaxation and recharging.