SIU dental hygienist alumnae Emily Smith, left, and Lakin Wolfe, right) learn from fellow alumna Ashley Greco who also serves as a Heartland laser trainer. (Below) SIU’s 2026 dental hygiene graduates – pictured with Professor Jennifer Sherry, middle of front row – earned their CDHC certification. Photos by Russell Bailey and Erasmus Tornye
May 29, 2026
SIU dental hygiene students specially trained in laser, community dentistry
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois University Carbondale dental hygiene class of 2026 undertook a most delicate task as they aimed lasers at carrots, tomatoes, hot dogs and chicken wings. What does that have to do with dentistry? The food items provided perfect practice targets as the students earned a specialized laser certification.
Dental hygienists provide vital oral care and those who earn their degrees at SIU complete additional training and certifications preparing them to help their patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health. SIU is also unique in that it offers the state’s only baccalaureate dental hygiene program, accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Directing the laser beams at the foods with different textures and thicknesses enabled the hygienists to test the intensity of a variety of lasers as they simulated conditions they will encounter treating tissues in their patients’ mouths in the future. Lasers are beneficial in treating oral ulcers and other issues as they kill bacteria in the mouth and promote healing.
This is SIU’s third year of offering dental hygiene students the option of participating in the training to earn a special laser certification, said Jennifer S. Sherry, dental hygiene professor in the School of Health Sciences within the College of Health and Human Sciences. Sherry, Stacey McKinney, associate professor and program director for dental hygiene, and Briana Erthall, assistant instructor, coordinated the all-day laser training event. Sherry expressed appreciation to Heartland Dental University for covering the BLAZE laser training costs, with Ultradent providing the Gemini EVO lasers and Amy Patrick overseeing.
The Heartland “laser squad” that presented the oral and hands-on training included: Yolanda Cox, senior manager of clinical education and laser program developer; Adandra Torres-Martin, Heartland Dental laser program coordinator; and Jennifer Kistner and SIU alumna Ashley Greco, who are both Heartland supported dental hygienists and laser program facilitators/trainers. Heartland Dental University’s Campus Recruiting covered the cost of the written exam, as well as breakfast; Megan Erickson, recruiter, was on hand providing support.
Improving employment opportunities
Joining the six students who elected to complete the optional laser certification were two alumnae of SIU’s program as the training was opened to graduates. All will find the training beneficial whether working in a clinical practice or public health setting, according to Sherry.
But that’s not the only additional credential for SIU’s dental hygienists. Every SIU dental hygiene student – 26 this year – earned the community dental health coordinator (CDHC) certification.
During their junior and senior years, each student completes approximately 120 hours of modules. SIU hygienist students are one of just two groups in the state completing the nine-month online CDHC certification.
“SIU has an extremely high job placement rate for its dental hygiene students and that’s not a surprise when you consider how special it is that we offer a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program and add the extra value of these certifications,” said Sherry, who has served as the faculty coordinator for the CDHC program since it began on campus.
She noted that the CDHC certification training, developed by the American Dental Association, helps students better understand the issues community health providers encounter with their patients and learn to more effectively communicate and assess their overall needs.
“It is vital for people in every city and community nationwide to have access to quality oral health care, and earning this certificate positions our graduates to provide these important dental services to patients who might not otherwise receive them,” Sherry said.
The students received their CDHC certificates during a special presentation on April 21 and graduated with bachelor’s degrees in dental hygiene at SIU’s May 9 commencement ceremony.
Saluki star hygienists
SIU’s 2026 dental hygiene graduates who earned their CDHC certificates, are listed by hometown. Those who also earned the laser certificate are starred (*):
Illinois
Belvidere: Karolyn Anderson
Bloomington: Maitri Koirala, Owen Osborne
Chicago: Marlena Gromek
Chicago (Mount Greenwood): Alyssa Milton
Evanston: Loreli Rojas
Havana: Morgan Niederer
Lakemoor: Julia Fohlmeister
Liberty: Paige Todd
Marion: Olivia Hartwell*
Metropolis: Maci Miller*
Murphysboro: Brynnlie Fox*, Makayla Nagel
Naperville: Phaedra Pampinella
Oakwood: Madison Doan
Okawville: Erin Nilles
Pontiac: Cameron Trost
Raymond: Micah Gehlbach*
Waukegan: Karina Delgadillo
Missouri
Clark: Alexandra Mobley
Farmington: Lacey Finch
Hawk Point: Grace Lafeber*
Jackson: Hadley Wyatt*
Marble Hill: Ally Whitener
St. Louis: Jessica Orange
Tennessee
Morristown: Amy Kamran Disfani
In addition, two SIU dental hygiene alumna returned to participate in the laser training:
- Emily Smith, a 2010 graduate who practices at Jackson Dental in Jackson, Missouri.
- Lakin Wolfe, a 2025 graduate who practices at Hall Family Dental in Benton, Kentucky.
