Dental Success

Melissa J. Ware grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, one of seven siblings. She first became interested in dentistry at the age of 12, when the need for braces and a dedicated dental professional taught her the value of a commitment to good oral health care. It was an interest that led her to take a dental assisting class while still in high school and later prompted her to enroll in the dental hygiene program at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.

Graduating from Weber with honors and an anesthesia license in 1995, Melissa embarked on a career as a private practice dental hygienist. Currently working as a full-time hygienist at the office of Dr. Shannon D. Lawson, Melissa has contributed to the practice by implementing a perio program and by working diligently to perfect and enhance her considerable skills through continuing education. Her most recent success in this area was earning Arestin certification.

Cynthia McKane-Wagester is a Registered Dental Hygienist whose diverse professional activities reflect an avid interest in all aspects of the dental profession.

From 1979 to 1988, Ms. McKane-Wagester worked as hygienist in two private practices in Owings Mills, MD. Concurrently, she served as part-time clinical team member of the Community College of Baltimore, and as part-time Public Health Hygienist for the Baltimore City Health Department where she developed and implemented a K-3 program.

In 1983, Ms. McKane-Wagester established Dental Placements, Inc., an agency that provided temporary personnel for private practices and public dental healthcare institutions in the Baltimore-Washington area. In 1987, the agency’s outstanding track record and her managerial acumen led to a position as senior consultant with Paragon Management Associates, Inc., a nationally recognized firm based in Maryland. As Senior Consultant and hygiene coach with Paragon, Ms. McKane-Wagester provided hands-on training and implemented quality control systems for more than 200 healthcare practices. She planned and presented seminars and workshops and recruited speakers to represent the organization at local and regional events and continuing education programs.

M. ELAINE PARKER, RDH, MS, PhD

• Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director, Division of Dental Hygiene, Dental School, University of Maryland
• Certificate in Dental Hygiene, University of Detroit
• Bachelor of Science, University of Maryland Baltimore
• Master of Science, Johns Hopkins University
• Doctor of Philosophy, University of Maryland College Park

Dr. Parker began her career in dental hygiene education after extensive private practice experience in general, pediatric and periodontal practices. In addition to her role as lecturer and clinical instructor in dental hygiene, she has lectured to both dental and medical students, as well as residents in the Specialty Programs within the Dental School. Her areas of expertise include patient assessment, periodontal therapy and soft tissue management protocols, instrumentation and ergonomics, and patient adherence and motivation.

I am thrilled to be a part of McKane and Associates and looking forward to working with everyone in both the consulting/coaching and online continuing education webinar series. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and encourage everyone to contact me to introduce themselves as well.

I am a graduate of the Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists and have been a hygienist for 30 years. I have a Masters Degree in Education in Instructional Design from the University of Massachusetts – Boston. I am a monthly columnist for RDH Magazine and a national continuing education speaker. I have been a faculty member in dental hygiene and dental assisting programs and am actively involved in a number of professional dental hygiene organizations.

Having practiced in a number of general and periodontal practices over the years, I have been involved in all aspects of the dental office. I have been a hygienist, business administrator and surgical assistant, so I understand the challenges, frustrations and joys of being a dental professional from all of the auxiliary functions. As a patient, I have experienced the best that dental practices can offer and want to encourage others to experience it as well.