Faculty Member
I am an Assistant Professor in the department of Allied Health-Dental Hygiene. I graduated in 1991 from Northern Arizona University, with my bachelor’s in dental hygiene. My dental hygiene experience includes 25 years of clinical in private practice and 16 years as an educator. I was an adjunct clinical instructor at UVU from 2008-2023 and at Fortis College from 2015-2023. I am the first-year clinic coordinator. My master’s degree is from Idaho State University in Dental Hygiene Education that I received in 2019. My thesis research project focused on the oral health assessments of older adults in assisted living facilities. It was published April 2021 in the Annals of Long-Term Care. I am married with 5 wonderful children and 3 amazing grandchildren. Dental hygiene is a wonderful career that allows you to provide a great service and make a difference in many people’s lives. There is great satisfaction in caring for and helping others improve their oral health.
Outside of dental hygiene I enjoy the outdoors and some of my interests include mountain biking, skiing, hiking, and gardening both vegetables and flowers. I enjoy photography also and capturing the beauties of nature.
Major: Dental Hygiene
Major: Dental Hygiene
Dental Hygiene II, Spring 2025
Dental Hygiene II Clinical, Spring 2025
Teaching the Dental Hygiene Student, Spring 2025
In Fall 2024, I was honored to be awarded Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA). This achievement followed a thoughtful and reflective application process in which I studied the UK Professional Standards Framework (PSF) and aligned my teaching practices with its key dimensions_ Areas of Activity, Core Knowledge, and Professional Values.
Through this process, I was able to critically assess my teaching strategies and demonstrate how they meet the PSF criteria for effective, student-centered teaching. The experience not only validated my current practices but also highlighted areas for growth and further development.
This journey has deepened my commitment to supporting student learning and success. It has also inspired me to continue my professional development by incorporating more evidence-based practices into my teaching. Looking ahead, I plan to further align my teaching with the PSF and work toward achieving full Fellowship (FHEA) in the future.
