Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Medical Sociology
Howard University
2023

Master of Science in Dental Hygiene (M.S.D.H.)

Dental Hygiene
Old Dominion University
2009

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Dental Hygiene
Old Dominion University
1990

Dental Hygiene

Dental Health Education Methods

Seminar I & II

Clinical DH II, III & IV

Clinical DH Theory II

Periodontics

Research Practicum and Statistics II

Clinical Practicum

Community Dental Health and Statistics I

Community Dental Health

Introduction to Periodontics

Faculty Scholar Coach, 2026 Junior Faculty Writing and Creative Works Summer Academy

HUCD Distinguished Faculty Award, May 2022

Most Outstanding Dental Hygiene Faculty, May 2020

2017 Junior Faculty and Creative Works Summer Academy Scholar Coach

Sickle Cell Disease in the Dental Chair

Sickle Cell Disease in the Dental Chair in Dimensions in Dental Hygiene

How a centuries-old genetic mutation drives life-threatening complications and the oral signs oral health professionals can’t afford to miss.

Yoga for the dentist, hygienist, and dental assistant

Yoga for the dentist, hygienist, and dental assistant in RDH Magazine

Integrating yoga into dental hygiene can alleviate chronic musculoskeletal pain and enhance career longevity for dental professionals.

A review of the risks and relationships between oral health and chronic disease

A review of the risks and relationships between oral health and chronic disease

Advances in medical science and in preventive dentistry have changed the context of oral health. The American population is living longer with numerous complex chronic diseases. This paper is to raise awareness about the impact of multiple chronic diseases and their associations with oral diseases. Comorbidities can worsen the course of dental treatment. Inflammation has been the connecting factor in the bidirectional pattern of oral and systemic diseases. High occurrences of chronic diseases generally occur in aging as well as disadvantaged populations. Serious infections, slow healing, prolonged bleeding, and hospitalizations can escalate in patients with uncontrolled chronic diseases. A multidisciplinary team-based approach to patient management can minimize complications and unexpected challenges.

Parenting, ADHD, and COVID

Parenting, ADHD, and COVID: An Exploratory Study of Parental Attitudes in Rural Virginia

According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are three types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive/impulse and combined. ADHD is generally characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, and low frustration tolerance; however, other symptoms include disorganization, inability to follow simple instructions and lack of attention to detail. These signs and symptoms make instruction difficult for the teacher and impede learning for the student, making primary and secondary school foundations challenging. Parental awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and access to resources are crucial in student academic achievement. The purpose of this research study was to identify obstacles to resources for families with children diagnosed with ADHD, discuss any obstacles before and during the COVID pandemic and compile best practices to be considered for policies concerning ADHD in rural Virginia. With the infrastructural challenges in rural areas throughout COVID and the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 school years, attention to rural families and information access is imperceptibly evident. The methodology included a qualitative approach using a sample of 12 parents and guardians aged 18 and over who had a child or children diagnosed with ADHD. Individual one-on-one interviews (in-person or virtual) of parents’ current knowledge and awareness of resources along with any obstacles to resources was explored. Descriptive statistics were utilized to provide participant profiles of data collected. Lack of communication, lack of collaboration of the educational and health provider team along with bullying and mistrust were cited as themes which impacted access to parent and guardian resources. Within equities in healthcare and education persisting in rural communities this research aims to incorporate solutions for equitable education, parental resources, and value based medical care for the child/ren living with long term special needs.

Sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease: Contributing factors and radiological assessments

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is genetically described as an autosomal blood disorder resulting from the presence of a mutated form of hemoglobin. Morbidity, frequency of crisis, degree of anemia, and organ systems involved vary considerably per patient. Dental health professionals and other specialists commonly request comprehensive medical consultations prior to performing complex periodontal, endodontic, and surgical procedures. In order to have successful dental outcomes and minimize posttreatment dental complications, relevant disease indicators are noted. This review is to raise awareness of the impact of oral diseases in patients with sickle cell disease and to emphasize the importance of full medical disclosure, radiographic interpretation, and a well-documented medical history, and a well-written consultation which can guide treatment planning and greatly improve the course of dental treatment.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy: An option for dental fear and anxiety in RDH Magazine

Have you tried aromatherapy in your dental office? It's an alternative and complementary therapy that can benefit anxious patients.

Reducing Dental Plaque Scores in Long-term Care Facilities Using a Checklist and Random Inspections

Reducing Dental Plaque Scores in Long-term Care Facilities Using a Checklist and Random Inspections: A Pilot Study

The development and use of tailored interventions in overcoming barriers to optimum health in long-term care facility residents is of the highest importance. One successful approach to improving health outcomes is the use of a checklist by health care providers. Despite the evidence of the success of such checklists in nursing and medicine, there is little evidence on their use in improving dental outcomes. This study investigated whether an intervention comprising the daily use of a checklist for oral care by nursing staff supplemented by random inspections by a charge nurse resulted in lower dental plaque scores in patient participants at a long-term care facility (n=19) as compared with in those at another long-term care facility that did not receive the intervention (n=13). All participants received a dental cleaning at baseline. At a follow-up examination at 6 to 8 weeks post-baseline, significant differences were observed in the plaque scores between the participants at each location, with the median plaque scores in those undergoing the intervention being less than half of those in the patients that did not (20.8% vs. 52.8%, p<0.001). After adjusting for age in a linear regression model, this difference remained significant. The use of a daily checklist for oral care supplemented by random inspections by a charge nurse was associated with lower plaque scores (p<0.001). These results warrant further research, including prospective studies aimed at establishing how use of both clinical supervision and a checklist for oral health may influence plaque scores in geriatric patients in long-term care facilities over time.