Meet The Board

Kim is currently serving as the President and has been an active member of the Association since2014. She has served the dental hygienist community of Utah as the Vice President and Vice President-Elect for four years and has also been an Alternate Delegate for two terms. Kim graduated from WeberState University's Dental Hygiene Program in 2005 and completed her Master of Education in 2012. She started teaching dental hygiene at Weber State 2014 and is now an Assistant Professor. Kim still practices one day a week in private practice, which helps her maintain a balance between educating students and patients. She is passionate about improving the oral health of the community in Utah and educating the public about the importance of dental hygienists as healthcare professionals.When Kim is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family. Kim and her husband have threechildren and they love camping, fishing, boating, and riding UTVs together.

Brenda Armstrong, Department Chair and Associate Professor, has been invested instudent success at Utah Tech University Department of Dental Hygiene since 2013. Sheloves to establish partnerships with community oral health champions which has helpeddental hygiene students develop as professionals and interprofessional team members.Prior to her career in education. Brenda practiced clinical dental hygiene in 8 states for 24years. Brenda received a Master’s in Dental Hygiene from the University of Minnesota, andBSDH from Weber State University. Past awards include: Utah Campus CompactPresidential Award for Community Engaged Scholar 2017, ADHA Educator of the Year2020, UDHA Educator of the Year 2022, and Dixie State University Board of TrusteesEducation in Excellence 2022.

Angel Harvey has dreamed of a career as a dental hygienist for most of her life. She graduated from Salt Lake Community College earning her Associate of Science degree and an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene graduating with honors. At graduation she received the Community Service Award and exceeded the record of service hours working in public health settings during school. She has furthered her education at Utah Valley University earning a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. Upon graduation from SLCC Angel accepted a position as one of the first independently contracted dental hygienists in Utah. She worked full time pioneering the way to provide access to care utilizing teledentistry for underserved children. She provided preventive dental care and education in school-based oral health programs in 20 schools to over 1,000 children. Angel currently works full time at Utah College of Dental Hygiene as a clinical instructor.

Angel has been married to her best friend and the love of her life for 23 years and has 4 incredible children.

From a young age, Jen has captivated by all aspects of dentistry. This passion has driven over 24 dedicated years to the field, where she has continuously sought to expand knowledge and skills. Her commitment to lifelong learning is evident in an eagerness to participate in educational opportunities and classes that enhance my expertise. Jen is a UCDH gra with a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene and recently achieved a Master’s degree in Learning Experience Design and
Educational Technology. This advanced education equips Jen with innovative strategies
to improve learning experiences within the dental profession.
Jen's primary goal is to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives by helping
them find their smiles. Serving on the board is not only an honor but also an incredible
opportunity for her to contribute positively to our community. She has participated in
humanitarian trips to Guatemala, where witnessing the joy on patients’ faces as they
receive dental care has been profoundly rewarding. 
Jen am happily married. They proud parents of three beautiful children: oldest angel who watches over us from heaven, a nine-year-old daughter, and a seven-year-old son. 

With nearly a decade of experience in dental hygiene, Joffree Bunleang is a dedicated advocate for the growth and development of dental hygienists. As Vice President 2 of the Utah Dental Hygienists' Association (UDHA), Joffree is passionate about advancing the profession and supporting her fellow hygienists through mentorship, continuing education, and leadership.

In addition to her role with the UDHA, Joffree serves as the Director of Dental Hygiene at Signature Dental Partners, where she plays an integral part in elevating hygiene departments and fostering positive environments for both providers and patients. Joffree is also the co-founder of Hygiene Elevated, a platform dedicated to sharing knowledge and empowering dental professionals.

Her commitment to professional growth is evident in her frequent speaking engagements with dental hygiene students, her role as a podcast host, and her ongoing efforts to advocate for dental hygienists' role in advancing patient care. Joffree is driven by her belief in the power of community and collaboration, and she looks forward to making a lasting impact through her work with the UDHA.

In third grade Elise studied teeth and knew that's what she wanted to do as a career. She was drawn to dental hygiene because of the flexibility it offered to balance work and family life. She graduated with her Associates in Dental Hygiene from Dixie State College in 2012 and returned to get her Bachelor's Degree from Dixie State University in 2013. She loves learning and has continued to seek out various educational experiences. Elise works in private practice in Cedar City where she grew up. When she's not in the operatory she enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time in the mountains. She and her husband Steven have been married for 13 years. She has three kids that keep life interesting and she wouldn't have it any other way.

Amanda Gonzalez is a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) from northern Utah. Amanda is an Alumni of Weber State University's Dental Hygiene Program, class of 2017, where she now works as second year co-coordinator. She currently serves as the Treasurer for the Board of Trustees for UDHA. Amanda has received the Outstanding Leadership Award from UDHA and teacher of the year (2024) award from
WSU. Amanda enjoys being part of an association where she has a voice and can learn from other amazing hygienists. Amanda loves spending time with her husband and kids and enjoys cooking for family and friends!

Cori is an Utah native who started her dental career directly out of high school as an assistant. After discovering a love for the dental field, she went on to graduate with her bachelor's degree from the Utah College of Dental Hygiene in 2011 and a Masters in Health Administration from Western Governor's University. She adores her patients and impacting their lives by improving their health. She has developed a passion for serving the refugee population and diversifying treatment options such as laser periodontal therapy. She lived in Southeast Asia with her family for two years and fell in love with the people and their food.

Bio Coming Soon

Graduated dental hygiene school from Dixie State College in 2006, also earned a BSDH in 2008. Has worked her entire career in public health, in the community (on the Navajo reservation) she grew up since a was a child. Since her childhood, she wanted to emulate her mother who worked, as a dental assistant, in the dental field. Growing up her mother shared her dream of becoming a dental hygienist, when she was young but unfortunately was unable to obtain this dream. Dharshini was determined to complete this dream for her mother. 

Dharshini has worked as a full-time dental hygienist in a Tribal 638 Federal Organization (Utah Navajo Health System, Inc.) and the Government’s Indian Health Service.

She is grateful have great support from her husband, son, and daughter to serve as member of the BOT. Also grateful for the support of many friends, mentors, and the past faculty.

Beth Ann is currently serving as an Alternate Delegate and has been an active member of the Association since she graduated Dental Hygiene School in 2019. She enjoys learning, furthering her education and graduated with her Masters in Education from WGU in 2023. In addition, Beth Ann is a part of the Program Advisory Committee for The Utah College of Dental Hygiene. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, playing league tennis, pickle ball, hiking, and traveling. 

Brittney was born and raised in Northern Utah. She has been immersed in the dental field at a young age with her grandpa having his own dental office in the basement of his home; she loved exploring and playing in the office. She knew right away the dental field was her playground, her happy place. Brittney jumped right out of high school into being a dental assistant for 6 year prior to getting into Weber State University’s Dental Hygiene Program. Brittney Graduated from WSU in 2017 with her Bachelor’s in Health Science from the Dental Hygiene Program, eager to serve her community. Brittney has been part of UDHA since 2017 and has loved the community and friendships built to help further our careers as RDH’s. Without the Utah Dental Hygiene Association Dentist’s who don’t have our best interest would dictate our careers as RDH’s. That is why I am a member and want to serve my community and fellow RDH’s and let them know the importance of what we do for our careers and how their membership creates value in what we do whether you're actively participating or on the sidelines supporting it is all needed.  I look forward to serving and helping my Northern Component RDH’s stand together and create a thriving workforce the way we as RDH's envision it to look like.  

Elizabeth grew up in Twin Falls, Idaho and in the 6th grade decided she wanted to be a Dental Hygienist. Unlike most kids, she enjoyed going to the dentist and watching them work. Her childhood dentist was kind and gentle and helped cultivate her love of dentistry. She graduated from Idaho State University in 2015 earning a Bachelor's of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. She continues to work in private practice and loves improving the smiles and quality of life for her patients. 

She believes in performing hygiene treatment at the highest level of care with new technology that benefits the hygienist and patient. In 2020 she implemented Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) into her patient care that allows her to provide comfortable, effective, and thorough hygiene treatment using the latest scientific research and technology. In 2021 she became a certified Swiss Dental Academy GBT Trainer. She teaches dental hygienists around the United States about GBT and loves helping them elevate their clinical care.

In 2021 she started teaching as an adjunct clinical instructor and currently teaches at Salt Lake Community College in the Dental Hygiene program. She enjoys educating students and empowering them to become preventive specialists.

She loves being part of the UDHA because it allows her to form connections with other hygienists, collaborate with colleagues, network, and move the profession forward. She believes no hygienist should feel alone in their work. 

Jennifer Russell earned her Associate of Science degree in Dental Hygiene in 2021 and currently works as a Temp Hygienist. She enjoys being able to help other hygienists balance their lives. Her involvement with ADHA began as the elected UDHA Student Delegate for her class and she subsequently received the Future Leader Award. Jennifer previously earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography with a Minor in Music. Her diverse work experience, including recreation, tourism, accounting, customer service, and education, provide a unique perspective she intends to use to advance the Dental Hygiene profession as an advocate for hygienists. As a native of Florida, Jennifer loves sunshine, the outdoors, and sharing time in or on the water with her family and friends.

Melissa Woolley attended dental hygiene school at the University of Hawaii and then finished her Bachelor of Science in Education at University of Central Oklahoma focusing on specifically the education of adults in a healthcare career. She has been licensed and practiced dental hygiene in Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Utah and is has been a part time clinical educator in the Dixie State Dental Hygiene program for 12 years. Currently, she is working towards a Master of Public Health degree from Utah State University. She and her husband have four children
ranging in ages from 13-23 and she enjoys traveling, running, and gardening.

Melia grew up in a dental office. She loves all things dentistry, technology, and growing our profession of dental hygiene not only in Utah but around the world. She has been a dental hygienist for over 14 years, worked clinically and in education, and is a cocreator of Hygiene Edge, an online education platform for dental professions. 

In her spare time, she loves being a girl mom to two girls, being in the mountains with her family and goldendoodle, and traveling with her husband.

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Find on on Instagram: @meliardh or @hygieneedge