McLeod Selected for Dentsply Sirona/ADHA Graduate Student Clinician’s Research Program
Caroline Dunham McLeod, BSDH ‘18, RDH, MS ‘20, was selected for the American Dental Hygienists Association’s Graduate Student Clinician’s Research Program for her research, “Dental and Dental Hygiene Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Teledentistry.” McLeod’s thesis committee includes chair Jane Weintraub, DDS, MPH, Alex White, DDS, DPH, and Jennie Brame, RDH, MS.
The aim of the ADHA’s graduate student clinician research program is to promote dental hygiene research by supporting one graduate dental hygiene student from each accredited graduate dental hygiene program in presenting their research ADHA’s Annual Conference in June.
The program provides graduate dental hygiene students with the opportunity to compete for research awards and recognition.
“It was an honor to be selected for the research program after all the hard work I put into the project,” said McLeod. “I am excited to share the research with dental hygienists, who are key stakeholders in delivering dental care through teledentistry. Though I am not able to present the research in person due to COVID-19, I will take part in the ADHA Annual Conference and present it virtually.”
“Caroline demonstrates a passion and commitment to the inclusion of telehealth in dental and allied dental education,” said Director of the Graduate Program in Dental Hygiene Education, Jennie Brame, RDH, MS. “Her research project introduced teledentistry to many of our Adams School of Dentistry learners and facilitated conversations to begin developing telehealth curriculum. Caroline’s research will continue to be relevant as the need for teledentistry services expand in our healthcare system.”
McLeod graduated from the UNC Adams School of Dentistry with a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene in 2018 and her Master of Science in dental hygiene education in 2020. She works full-time as a teledentistry specialist with MouthWash, LLC, and part time as a registered dental hygienist in private practice.
Currently, McLeod serves as a co-chair for the Durham-Orange Dental Hygiene Component of the North Carolina Dental Hygienists’ Association and is an active member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. She was recently recognized as a 2019 Ann and G. Babcock Fellow.
Founded in 1923, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of the more than 185,000 registered dental hygienists across the country.
