Heather Lynn Taylor

Biography

Narrative of Professional Career: Since 2006, Heather has been an active licensed dental hygienist. From 2006-2011, she worked in a private practice dental office in Lafayette, Indiana. In the beginning of 2012, Heather pursued graduate education at the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health and graduated in May of 2014 with a Master of Public Health Degree focusing on Health Policy and Management. Between 2013-2015, Heather worked in the Department of Periodontics and Allied Dental Programs as a lecturer and course director for Dental Hygiene Radiology lectures and labs. Today, Heather now serves in the Department of Cariology, Operative Dentistry, and Dental Public Health. Her primary responsibilities have a public health focus and involve Seal Indiana and other access to care programs. This includes marketing and public relations, onsite work and staff supervision, fiscal management and support of grant writing for Seal Indiana and public health programs at IUSD.

Research Interest

Heather's passion comes from two key areas of her background and education: dental hygiene and public health. She believes that oral health factors would improve in populations if more individuals had access to preventive dental services that dental hygienists can provide. Heather is also interested in the Integration of Medical and Dental Services with a particular interest in integrating prenatal and oral care. She serves as the Indiana delegate at the annual national meeting of the American Dental Hygienists' Association and as an Advisory Board member of Indiana Area Health Education Centers.