FORTY years as a practicing registered dental hygienist! The plan is moving forward into the Functional Medicine Health Coach space. I am a nerdy hygienist who has found my purpose in this life and have loved dental hygiene since the beginning... I am one of the fortunate people doing something I truly love.
One day, my sisters Susan, Denise, and I, were talking about health care. I was expressing my frustration about hygiene and why there's no autonomy. There are no benefits in most private practices. Dentists tend to keep hygienists in part-time because they will not be obligated to give customary benefits. I have heard it stated by one particular dentist to me directly, 'Hygienists make too much money'. I'm sorry, we earn every single penny! It is considered one of the most hazardous jobs in the world, especially during Covid.
The American Dental Association regulates the Dental Hygiene profession. This is not the case with the nursing profession, nurses have their own regulatory board. True, they were once regulated by the American Medical Association. When the APRN was introduced, this was, in fact, disputed by physicians. Today, physicians cannot be without APRN. You do not see hairstylists, nail technicians, or aestheticians regulated by dermatologists, nor massage therapists or personal trainers regulated by chiropractors or physical therapists.
Hygienists are professionals with licenses and if you ask any hygienist, you will learn just how difficult it is to get into any hygiene program and even harder to get out. I am delighted to know that after 15 years of seeking the next step in our career ladder, CT has finally passed the Dental Therapist, a master's level of care that will help with the Medicaid/Husky public health patients that the majority of dentists do not embrace treatment at minimal reimbursement. (It needs to be implemented asap) It is a great step in the right direction. Personally, IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, I would love to see hygienists have the option to work independently. Three cheers for Colorado and Maine where independent practice is LEGAL. Let's allow access to prophylaxis (prevention) appointments as directly as possible and stop the nonsense of big money going to drug companies.
The other aspect of my story: I also had the unfortunate (perhaps fortunate?) opportunity to experience first-hand what it was like to be married to a guy with Narcissistic Personality Disorder and alcoholism. I recognized the alcohol abuse but ignored the signs and symptoms. Love does that, would you agree? I definitely did NOT recognize the NPD and how it impacted everything. Love bombing is THE HOOK, everything after that became a long journey into Complex-PTSD . There are many techniques a NARC can use on any unsuspecting victim of theirs. Today, I can see NPD a mile away and so can you. Starting over at 55 with your self-esteem in the gutter is an overwhelming challenge .
This is how "Wanna Smile" was born. It was my sisters idea to name my imaginary independent dental hygiene practice "Wanna Smile" because "Wanna" is my nickname, the "Smile" part is obvious. Since I will probably never see independent dental hygiene practice become a reality in my lifetime, "Wanna Smile Wellness" landed here at the doorstep of Health and Wellness Coaching.
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
PompaCore Ancient Healing; HealthCenters.com; Cellular Detoxification Coaching Certification Dec. 2025
IAOMT: International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology; Biological Dental Hygiene Certification Sept 2025
NBHWC: National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching Certification #A-3159986. 2022-current
Narcissism and Emotional Abuse.2 Light University Dec. 2024
GBT; Guided Biofilm Therapy Training: Dental Care Alliance August-Sept 2024
Kinesiology Certification; PrimoLearn (for concepts only) August 8, 2024
National Network of Healthcare Hygienists: Oral-Systemic Educator Program; Certificate Holder in Oral Systemic Education, August 8, 2023
Jamie Dooley, RDH, Certified Life Coach, NNHH Executive Director
Naturopathy Certification; PrimoLearn; June 14, 2023
Supplement Specialist Certification, Designs for Health, January 25, 2023
Connecticut Life, Health, Accident, and Sickness Insurance Licensing Exam, January 19, 2023; Licensed February 2023-Dec. 2024
License Voluntarily surrendered. (My heart is in wellness with a profound appreciation of financial literacy and stress.)
Board of Mental Health Coaching Certification, Light University, Tim Clinton, EdD LPC, MFT #961; Dec 15, 2021
Periodontal Laser Therapy Certification; Epic Hygiene Training Course, Laser Physics, Safety, using Biolase, Dental Care Alliance
Regulations and Applications of Diode Lasers in Dental Practice Nov. 7, 2021
Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor Functional Nutrition Lab-Full Body Systems, Andrea Nakayama, FLP, MSN, CNC, CNE, CHHC Jan. 2021-Sept. 2021
Certificate of Completion doTerra Essential Oils Specialist, Emily Wright, Founding Executive, Dec 14, 2021
Detox and Toxicity Specialist Certification, Dr. Daniel Pompa and Warren Phillip, Health Centers of the Future, June 2021
International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Certified Personal Training (for insight into exercise science and physical therapy) Oct. 30, 2021
*Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach (FMCHC) PSA July 1, 2019
CEO Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum & Elise Wagner, Sept 2018-Aug 2019
Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certified Dental Assistant, Cert. #194195, 1985-2010
Master of Science Human Nutrition, University of New Haven, 2000
Baccalaureate Degree Dental Hygiene, Fones School of Dental Hygiene, Clinical Practitioner, May 1989
Emergency Medical Technician, University of New Hampshire, 1986-1988
Associate in Science Dental Hygiene, New Hampshire Technical Institute, May 1985
CPR American Heart Association 1981-current
EMPLOYMENT
Premier Dental of Connecticut 2 Stony Hill Road Bethel, CT 06801 Full-time Clinical Periodontal Therapist
Guided Biofilm Therapy August 2024
Curodont Therapy for early caries control Aug. 2024
Epic Hygiene Training Course Diode Laser Therapy for Dental Hygienists Certification Nov. 2021
Continuing Education: Mandatory monthly online: CPR, HIPAA, OSHA, Infection Control, Bloodborne Pathogens, Waste Management, Cultural Competency, Covid, DEI, Active Shooter Training, Child and Elder Abuse, many others since Sept. 2021-present.
Gary Westerman, DMD 1063 Main St. Southbury, CT 06488 Clinical Hygienist Part-time general/geriatric private practice, Aug 2017-April 2021
Briarwood College, Mt. Vernon Road Southington, CT 06489 Clinic Coordinator for new accreditation through the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Dental Hygiene Program development; Didactic, Lab, and Clinical positions, Advising, Awards, Library Committee,
scheduling students internships; Didactic Head and Neck Anatomy, Local Anesthesia Administration, securing contracts with pubic health facilities, developing Sigma Phi Alpha Honor Society Awards and corporation awards program, inventory, advising, committee work, library text selection, many other duties related to program development; Aug 2006-Aug 2009
New York University College of Dentistry 345 East 24th St. New York City, NY 10010 Clinical Assistant Professor F/T contract,
Pain Management: Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide Administration didactic, Clinical, Radiology Lab Instructor, secured supervision of students clinical internships, Cheryl Westphal-Thiel, RDH, Ed.D, Dean, Director: Aug. 2005-Aug 2007
HealthPro Staffing 3691 Old Yorktown Rd Suite 202 Shrub Oak, NY 10588 Temporary Dental Hygiene Professional Placement Agency 2016-2020
University of Bridgeport Fones School of Dental Hygiene 60 Lafayette Street Bridgeport, CT 06604 Adjunct Clinical Professor, Clinical chair side instructor, Radiology Lab instructor, Contracts varied per semesters over the years. Marcia Lorentzen, RDH, MEd, EdD Dean
North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners 8484 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20901
AKA The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments Consultant/Examiner for clinical hygiene boards April 2003-Nov. 2007
University of New Haven Dental Center 300 Boston Post Road West Haven, CT 06516 Instructor for Community and Dental Public Dental Education, Targeting Specific Audiences in community/school locations, New Haven area August 2003-May 2004, Sandra Palumbo, RDH, MSEd, Director
Head Start Advisory Board Committee Member, State of Children’s Dental Health, brushing program for pre-school, Danbury, CT School year 2001-2003
Dental Associates of CT, PC 36 Padanaram Road Danbury, CT 06810 Clinical Dental Hygienist, April 1995-Feb 2004 Wm. Snyder, DMD, Director
Stephen Silston, DDS, Nicholas Cucharale, DMD Periodontal Specialists 2 Stony Hill Road Bethel, CT Clinical Dental Hygienist Sept 1989-August 1991
Belknap Dental Associates 40 Chestnut St. Dover, New Hampshire 03820, Clinical Dental Hygienist Sept 1985-Aug 1989; Robert Chaikin, DDS Director,
New Hampshire Air National Guard , 157th USAF Clinic, Pease AFB, NH 03803, Dental Technician 98170, Medic, Activated State Mental Health Institution, EMT training (1985-1987 expired) Dental Forensics, Monthly Unit Training Assemblies, Active duty training, Air Show Ambulance,
DD214 Honorable Discharge, Jan 1981-Jan 1991, rank E-5 Staff Sergeant: Col. Leonard F. Nolan, DMD Clinic Commander, mentor
LICENSURE
Connecticut Insurance License: Life, Health, Accident and Sickness: February Jan. 2023-Dec. 2024 (non-renewed)
Connecticut Dental Hygiene Lic# 004619 (active since 1989 in CT, Local Anesthesia Administration Certification since 2005)
New York Dental Hygiene Lic# 018979-1 NERB Certified Nitrous oxide/Local Anesthesia Administration: (Sept 1989-April 2022)
New Hampshire Dental Hygiene Lic# 03028 (1985, currently inactive status)
AWARDS
Mabel C. McCarthy Award for Outstanding Contribution to Dental Hygiene American Dental Hygienists’ Association-Connecticut, November 2012
General William F. Croskery Award 157th USAF Clinic, Outstanding Contribution to the NHANG Clinic, New Hampshire Air National Guard, Pease AFB, NH, 1988
Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society, Member Bridgeport Gamma Chapter Faculty of NHTI DH program Concord, NH, May 1985
Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges Faculty of New Hampshire Technical InstituteI Dental Hygiene Program, May 1985
AFFILIATIONS
Functional Medicine Coaching Academy Alumni Member July 2022
Member American Dental Hygienists’ Association-Connecticut since 1983-current. ctdha.com
Director ConnHyPAC Committee 2024-current
President American Dental Hygienists' Association State of CT Constitute 2002-2004
Dental Practice Act Update, Scope of Practice Committee 2003-2005
Website Manager circa 2004
HY-lite Newsletter Editor
Membership and Public Relations Chair
Danbury Component President, Delegate and Alternate to ADHA
American Academy Oral Systemic Health, 2021-current
International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, 2017-current
Health Practitioner 1 at NutraMetrix Corporation, Nutraceuticals: 2016-current
American Dental Education Association, 2004-2014
Connecticut Dental Identification Response Team (DIRT) 2001-current
Society of Forensic Odontology: 2001-2009
PRESENTATIONS
Nutrition and Inflammation, Danbury CT Component Meeting: 2 CEUs DDHA March 2016
Pain Management Calibration NYUCD DH Faculty Professional Development Da:y October 2007
Nutrition and the Periodontium, Greater NY Dental Meeting Lunch and Learn: November 2006
Osteoporosis and the Perio Connection: Feb-June 2004
VOLUNTEERING
American Dental Hygienists' Association-Connecticut from Danbury Component positions 1990's to the State Constituent as President, 2002-2004,
currently serving as a member of ConnHyPAC (Connecticut Hygienists Political Action Committee 2024)
Connecticut Mission of Mercy, sponsored by the CT State Dental Association, giving clinical care to the underserved in various locations in CT.
REFERENCES
Christel Autuori, RDH, MA, NBC-HWC, Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (Duke), RYT
Director Holistic Health Studies, Dept of Health Promotion and Exercise Western CT State University christel312@gmail.com 203-788-0647
Colonel Leonard Nolan, DMD, 157th USAF Clinic, Pease AFB, NH, North Venice, Florida 24375 LennyNoan@comcast.com 239-580-1919
Albert Natelli, DMD Southington Dental Associates, Director of United Dental Resources (long tern care clients)
Adjunct Professor University of Connecticut Dental School, Connecticut State Dental Association Past President,
31 Liberty St. Suite 311 Southington, CT 06489 albert.natelli@sbcglobal.net 860-919-4962
Nina Bhatti, DMD Clinical dentist, Premier Dental of CT: 203-300-2714
Additional References Available Upon Request
Additional Continuing Education Documentation Available Upon Request
