I consider non-dental professionals to be vital change agents in helping at-risk people improve dental health and overall health. An easy place to integrate my protocol is the assessment stage, as well as collaborating with other caregivers and educating individuals.

My oral assessment tool, The 90 Second SMILE Protocol, connects the dots between these assessments and provides a more comprehensive look. My approach goes beyond the functional/physical (can they eat, can they swallow, do they have cavities or gum disease?), which is what most exams are focused on.

My protocol considers those items but also how these issues are related to overall health, as well as how oral health can impact or be impacted by other health issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, nutrition, mental health, and issues like substance use, abuse, and more.

The 90 Second SMILE Protocol and my other educational programs and presentations are based on my 30+ years of experience in clinical dentistry, as well as my work with foster children, domestic violence survivors, and migrant workers, among others.

I have also set up clinics that provided medical and dental care in the Caribbean, South America, and Africa, where, with an NGO, I collaborated with the United Nations and World Health Organization to provide safe motherhood kits.

I currently direct a dental program for a federally qualified health center.

I understand the challenges of improving access to healthcare and have been creative in seeking solutions that empower and educate people to manage their health, especially oral and dental health, which are a critical part of overall health.

I have a passion for helping those who need it most. I think we share that common goal.