Melissa A Obrotka, RDH, BBAOM, has more than 20 years of experience in the dental field, as her journey began in dental assisting while attending dental hygiene school. She practices as an implant care practitioner at the North Jersey Design Center for Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry in Denville, New Jersey, where the maintenance and health …
Jane L. Forrest, RDH, EdD, is a professor of clinical dentistry and section chair of behavioral science at the Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and director of the National Center for Dental Hygiene Research & Practice (NCDHRP). She has received several federal training grants, one of which …
As the associate director of Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin, Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, directs both the oral health and early childhood literacy programs along with providing operational support to the organization. The oral health program includes Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile, Healthy Smiles for Mom and Baby, and Wisconsin Oral Health Coalition. Under Crespin’s direction, Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile …
Deborah Bailey Astroth, RDH, BSDH, has been active in dental hygiene in Colorado for more than 40 years. Involved in organized dental hygiene, she has served as president of the Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association, speaker of the house and chair of the Council on Regulation and Practice; and president of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association …
Rachel C. Kearney, RDH, MS, is an associate professor and chair of the Division of Dental Hygiene at The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Dentistry in Columbus. She teaches ethics, professionalism, education, and research courses to undergraduate and graduate dental hygiene students. A lifelong learner, Kearney is currently a doctoral student in OSU’s College …
Leann Keefer, RDH, MSM, is director of corporate education and professional relations for Crosstex International, based in Hauppauge, New York. Her work focuses on advancing Crosstex’s thought leadership among influential oral health professionals. An identifier of trends in the fields of oral care and infection prevention, Keefer develops and implements the corporation’s longterm strategies relating …
Denise M. Bowen, RDH, MS, (deceased) is a graduate faculty member and professor emeritus in the Department of Dental Hygiene at Idaho State University (ISU) in Pocatello. She has served as a consultant to the dental industry; numerous government, university, and private organizations; and as a member of the National Advisory Panel for the National …
Terri Tilliss, RDH, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Graduate Orthodontics at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in Denver. She facilitates resident research projects, teaches communication and behavior change skills to international dental students and orthodontic and periodontal residents, and provides dental hygiene care within the faculty group practice. Tilliss …
Kylie J. Siruta-Austin, RDH, MS, ECP-III, works clinically for Community Health Ministry in the Healthy Smiles Outreach Program in Wamego, Kansas, and Total Care Dentistry in Junction City, Kansas. In addition to her dental hygiene license, Siruta-Austin has the Extended Care Permit I, II, and III credential, which enables her to provide school-based services to …
Phyllis A. Martina, RDH, MBA, is the senior academic relations manager for Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals Inc. In this position, she develops and executes plans to increase Colgate’s presence in dental and hygiene schools; creates programs to build Colgate’s relationship with dental and dental hygiene students, faculty, and school administrators; manages all aspects of the academic …
