Periodontics
Dental School: Creighton University
Years in Practice: 11
Research is a passion of yours. What new things are we learning about gum disease?
In studies that have come to light in the COVID-19 era, we saw an increase in poor patient outcomes, like increased hospitalizations and mortality rates, amongst patients with periodontal disease. [As] the No. 1 cause of tooth loss in adults… periodontal disease is something that dentistry has focused on for some time, but now we are seeing the direct impact of that on systemic health.
What are the most common services you perform? Have any been trending upward or downward in recent years?
The most common are dental implants and related extraction or bone-grafting procedures, also surgical and non-surgical treatments for management of periodontal disease, and treatment of gum tissue defects like recession or excess gums. In general, the number of these procedures completed in the United States and Arizona are on the rise, [possibly due to] the role of preventive dentistry, since people are keeping their teeth longer, and the increase in life expectancy over the last several decades, among other things.
What is a common misconception about gum health you want your patients to know?
A common misconception of gum health is, “If it’s a problem, it would hurt or cause pain.” Pain is a late indicator for disease processes when the solution typically leads to further tooth loss or complications.
Only a handful of women practice periodontics in the Valley. Do you see yourself as a trailblazer of sorts?
Certainly, there were and are many women trailblazers in dentistry and periodontics before me in the Valley, many of which have mentored me for years. Ten years ago, as a female periodontist, I felt more like a unicorn. However, that is changing rapidly, and I love that. The real trailblazer is probably my husband, who must complement my career, my patient schedule and our four children’s schedules while managing his career as a physician.
You’re from Nebraska. What do you miss most about The Cornhusker State?
The Fourth of July holiday! Often, we take the time as a family to return to the Midwest around the Fourth to enjoy small-town parades, barbecues, comfortable temperatures, boating… it’s really a homecoming of sorts for us.
“If I wasn’t a dentist, I’d be…”
Farming in wine country. I grew up on a working family farm, and the outdoors feel like home. However, I have no desire to take care of animals or grain, so I guess that leaves grapes.
