The Author is a Dental Hygiene Educational Consultant and Oral Biology Technical Writer. She received her Masters degree in Oral Biology at the University of Washington School of Dentistry, and her Bachelors degree in Dental Hygiene at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, as well as a Certificate of Clinical Research Methods also from the University of Washington School of Dentistry. The Author has many years of clinical experience as well as an extensive background as an educator in both dental and dental hygiene programs. She was for many years an Adjunct Faculty member for the BAS Degree Program in Allied Health with an Emphasis in Dental Hygiene at Seattle Central College, as well as teaching at other local colleges and the University of Washington School of Dentistry. Her continuing work as a Tobacco Cessation Consultant for Washington Dental Hygiene Association has been an asset to her community. She is the recipient of the ADHA A.C. Fones Award and the ADHA Award of Excellence. The Author has authored journal articles, as well as professional, office, and consumer newsletters, and also professional textbooks as primary author with Elsevier (see list) as well as contributing author (see website listed below). She is known for her easily read and straight forward writing style dealing with scientific facts as well as her directing of scientific images.