Jennifer Shull, the Dental Assistant supervisor in Clinical Operations at Adams School of Dentistry, has spent her career focused on dental assisting. She went through the dental assisting program as a student, completing her education and working in the pre-doc clinics as a dental assistant before rising to the position of supervisor in 2019.
“I went to school here, and on the last day of finals, the dental assistant supervisor was there recruiting, and asked ‘would you be interested in joining the team?’ I had spent much time during school in the pre-doc clinics, so I was familiar with the students and the clinics, and I thought this might be a good opportunity for me,” Shull said.
Shull also worked for a time in private practice, but she returned to ASOD, where she’s been ever since. She worked her way up to supervisor, and she was recently honored with a H.E.A.R.T. Award. The H.E.A.R.T (“Helping Everyone Achieve Results Together”) award recognizes staff whose contributions to the ASOD community have been substantial and who embody the shared values of service and teamwork. Shull’s supervisor, Lisa Stoner, DDS, was excited about the award and shared the news with her.
“I was surprised and very honored. It’s huge to be recognized, and it helps you see that other people see the work you do and recognize your efforts,” she said. “There are so many people here to narrow it down to, and it’s nice to be recognized for what you contribute here at the ASOD.”
“I have a great relationship with everyone, and they trust me to do the job I need to do. I want to be a team leader and not a boss. That’s what I wanted to provide.”
Jennifer Shull
Shull is a key team member in Clinical Operations, not just for her reliability and work ethic, but also her institutional knowledge and experience doing the work of the dental assistants, something that earns her respect from senior leadership and the Clinical Operations staff members.
“Coming from the clinic to the supervisor role, I want to be that supportive person for my colleagues,” she said. “I still look at it like I’m a member of that team, and coming into this position was huge for the morale of the dental assistants, and the management. I have a great relationship with everyone, and they trust me to do the job I need to do. I want to be a team leader and not a boss. That’s what I wanted to provide.”
Shull’s favorite thing about her job is seeing dental students’ progress as they work their way through dental school and for students to see how vital the role of a dental assistant plays in both a successful dental practice and in providing top-notch patient care.
“I have a passion for seeing dental students succeed,” she said. “I’ve been with the pre-doc clinics my whole career, and I enjoy supporting them during their time at the ASOD while also teaching them to work and appreciate their dental assistant. They’ll be their best friends.”
With her years of experience and institutional knowledge, Shull said a lot of people do come to her with questions or needing help with things that fall outside her role, but she’s always happy to help the best she can whether it’s troubleshooting a problem or just lending a friendly ear.
Shull has great relationships with staff and faculty alike, and even has a running joke with Allen Samuelson, DDS, about misplaced loupes.
“We were having a mock board exam for the dental students, he was one of the examiners in the grading room, and I was one of the assistants on the floor helping. When he came into the operatory and sat down to begin grading one of our board patients, he started looking around and seemed to be confused. I asked him quietly, ‘what are you looking for?’ He said, “I can’t find my loupes.’ I thought he was joking with me, because he was already wearing them, and I chuckled and pointed to his nose trying to keep my composure. It has been a running joke between us for years.”
When she’s not at work, Shull often spends time outdoors on their farm in Roxboro with her husband, children, extended family and friends, riding ATVs, boating and camping.
“We are outside people, and we have many animals at home that keep us busy!”
Travel is also one of her passions, and she and her husband often take trips in October to celebrate their anniversary. This year will find her enjoying a cruise to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Mexico.
