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Anne Gwozdek, RDH, BA, MA
E-Learning Program Director
Clinical Lecturer

A clinician since my graduation from the University of Michigan’s Dental Hygiene Program in 1973, I have taken the term “life-long learning” literally.  I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Public Relations in 1992 from Madonna University and have served as editor of the Bulletin of the Michigan Dental Hygienists’ Association and contributor to other professional publications. I began my transition to education in 2001 as a clinical instructor at U-M and completed a Master’s degree in Educational Media & Technology from Eastern Michigan University in 2007.  I have served in leadership positions within ADHA, MDHA, and my component.  My research interests involve education with a focus on learning technologies.

Wendy Kerschbaum, RDH, MA, MPH
Dental Hygiene Program Director
Associate Professor

I did both my undergraduate and graduate education at U-M.  My career in academics began as a part-time clinical instructor and has evolved to being the director of dental hygiene.  Over the years I have taught many courses, including Research Methods, Prevention, Gerotonlogical Dental Hygiene, and Preclinic.  I currently teach Oral Anatomy, Head and Neck Anatomy, Nutrition, Pain Control, and clinic.  One day a week I provide dental hygiene care to patients in our faculty practice which keeps me grounded.  During my career I have been active in the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and the American Association of Dental Education (ADEA).  I served on the ADHA curriculum task force for the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner.  My research interests focus on education and oral care for older adults.

L. Susan Taichman, RDH, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor

I graduated with an AAS degree in 1986 from Lansing Community College.  For the next eight years I worked as a clinical dental hygienist.  I earned my BS in Dental Hygiene in 1995 through the Degree Completion Program at University of Michigan. As I wanted to conduct research, I continued on at U-M earning my MS in Dental Hygiene Education, a MPH in Public Health Dentistry, and PhD in Epidemiologic Science. My research interests include health services research, oral health disparities and women’s oral health. I have experience with survey research, clinical research, as well as secondary analyses of complex survey data. Current projects include evaluating the impact of lactation on oral health and exogenous progestin hormone use and periodontal health.

Karen Ridley, RDH, MS
Assistant Professor

A native of Pittsburgh, PA, I graduated from Eastman Dental Center’s Dental Hygiene Program in Rochester, NY.  I received my BS & MS at Columbia University, NY.  I have been a faculty member at the University of Michigan since 1974 as well as serving as UM’s Dental Hygiene Graduate Program Director.   One of my professional areas of expertise is in the subject of special patients and medically compromised.  I am on staff at the U-M Hemophilia Treatment Center, Michigan State University, and Marquette General Hospital.  Most recently I have been consulting with the Kingston Hospital Project on Ventilator Assisted Pneumonia (VAP).

Christine Klausner, RDH, MS
Clinical Assistant Professor

I received my BS in Dental Hygiene and an MS in Dental Hygiene Education both from the University of Michigan.  My career began teaching at Lansing Community College and working in clinical practice.  In 2001 I became a full time faculty member at the UM.  My research interests focus on peer teaching as a teaching strategy with dental hygiene students, and the use of technology as a communication tool for case-based instruction.  I am also a co-investigator in a clinical research effort examining the effect of specific proteins reaction to inflammation. An ADHA and ADEA member, I have also served on the ADA National Board test construction review committee.

Janet Kinney, RDH, MS
Clinical Assistant Professor

In 2007 I received two Master of Science degrees from the University of Michigan, the first in Dental Hygiene and the second in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis.  In addition to my teaching responsibilities within dental hygiene, I am actively involved at the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research as a research dental hygienist, examiner, and co-investigator on several clinical research studies.

Carrie Bigelow-Ghaname, RDH, MS
Adjunct Clinical Lecturer

I graduated with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene in 1999 from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. Since graduation, I have practiced in Texas, Switzerland, Maine, Hong Kong, North Carolina and most recently, Michigan.  In 2007, I graduated from the University of North Carolina with my Master’s degree in Dental Hygiene Education.  My current interests lie in oral cancer prevention and early detection, online education, mentoring, and the development of the ADHP.  In addition to private practice, I am an adjunct faculty member at the University of Michigan, and the University of British Columbia teaching in both of the schools’ online degree completion programs.  I also serve as a member of ADHA’s Council on Public Relations.

Charlotte Wyche, RDH, MS
Adjunct Clinical Lecturer

I started my career with a certificate in dental hygiene.  While in clinical practice, I decided that a more advanced degree would open up broader possibilities.  It took me almost 10 years to complete my BS degree and another three years after that to complete a MS degree in Dental Hygiene Education, both from the University of Michigan. For 14 years, I taught at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry.  Also, I like to write, so you will see my name as author or co-author on several chapters in both the ninth and tenth editions of Esther Wilkins’ textbook Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist, and I co-authored a student workbook to accompany the textbook.  I retired from full-time teaching at University of Detroit Mercy in May 2007.  I love to travel, volunteer in oral health community programs, and am a member of the Michigan Board of Dentistry.