Planning Committee Members
Dr. Wayne Ku, DDS
Wayne Ku, DDS, is an experienced dentist and happy to serve the people of Plano, North Dallas, and the North Texas area at Plano Dental Excellence. Dr. Ku takes pride in crafting beautiful smiles for his patients. He strives to provide the best possible dental care in a relaxed, comfortable environment.
Dr. Ku graduated from dental school at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. He also was previously a visiting faculty member at Spear Education in Scottsdale, Arizona, which provides continuing education services for dentists.
In addition to teaching continuing education classes to his colleagues, Dr. Ku is dedicated to his own continuing education and professional growth. He belongs to the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation.
Dr. Ku is a longtime Dallas resident. He and his wife have been married for more than 30 years and have three daughters. When not practicing dentistry, he enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with his family, and staying active.
Dr. Wayne Ku, DDS
Wayne Ku, DDS, is an experienced dentist and happy to serve the people of Plano, North Dallas, and the North Texas area at Plano Dental Excellence. Dr. Ku takes pride in crafting beautiful smiles for his patients. He strives to provide the best possible dental care in a relaxed, comfortable environment.
Dr. Ku graduated from dental school at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. He also was previously a visiting faculty member at Spear Education in Scottsdale, Arizona, which provides continuing education services for dentists.
In addition to teaching continuing education classes to his colleagues, Dr. Ku is dedicated to his own continuing education and professional growth. He belongs to the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation.
Dr. Ku is a longtime Dallas resident. He and his wife have been married for more than 30 years and have three daughters. When not practicing dentistry, he enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with his family, and staying active.
Kristin Hunter, RDH, B.S.
Kristin Hunter was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Her first job was working for her childhood dentist as a dental assistant. After earning her degree in dental hygiene from Rio Salado College in Phoenix, Kristin navigated the dental industry. She worked with various doctors and gained insight and experience with cutting-edge tools and processes along the way.
Recognizing a need for both personal and professional growth, Kristin returned to school to earn her bachelor's degree in Communication. She also served on the board of the Northern Nevada Hygiene Association for six years, including a stint as president.
Kristin was introduced to the Biolase laser at her first dental hygiene position over ten years ago. At the time, Kristin recognized the impact of laser technology in the dental practice, and she decided to become part of the movement promoting laser implementation. She began her serious study of lasers in 2016, following her second standard proficiency course in Reno, Nevada, with the Academy of Laser Dentistry. Today, Kristin provides high-quality CE courses to the dental community, including one specific to lasers and laser training.
In order to provide second-to-none continuing education courses, Kristin completed her Academy of General Dentistry PACE provider approval for accreditation. She has also completed her advanced proficiency from the Academy of Laser Dentistry, a designation awarded after rigorous testing in clinical applications, which involves treating patients and following their periodontal progress.
Kristin is also part of the Academy of Laser Dentistry Speakers bureau, and serves as an active member of both the American Dental Hygiene Association and the Academy of Laser Dentistry.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Kristin enjoys spending time with her family on hikes, scuba dives, and runs.
Kristin Hunter, RDH, B.S.
Kristin Hunter was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Her first job was working for her childhood dentist as a dental assistant. After earning her degree in dental hygiene from Rio Salado College in Phoenix, Kristin navigated the dental industry. She worked with various doctors and gained insight and experience with cutting-edge tools and processes along the way.
Recognizing a need for both personal and professional growth, Kristin returned to school to earn her bachelor's degree in Communication. She also served on the board of the Northern Nevada Hygiene Association for six years, including a stint as president.
Kristin was introduced to the Biolase laser at her first dental hygiene position over ten years ago. At the time, Kristin recognized the impact of laser technology in the dental practice, and she decided to become part of the movement promoting laser implementation. She began her serious study of lasers in 2016, following her second standard proficiency course in Reno, Nevada, with the Academy of Laser Dentistry. Today, Kristin provides high-quality CE courses to the dental community, including one specific to lasers and laser training.
In order to provide second-to-none continuing education courses, Kristin completed her Academy of General Dentistry PACE provider approval for accreditation. She has also completed her advanced proficiency from the Academy of Laser Dentistry, a designation awarded after rigorous testing in clinical applications, which involves treating patients and following their periodontal progress.
Kristin is also part of the Academy of Laser Dentistry Speakers bureau, and serves as an active member of both the American Dental Hygiene Association and the Academy of Laser Dentistry.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Kristin enjoys spending time with her family on hikes, scuba dives, and runs.
Dustin Bortzfield,
Dustin Bortzfield is a commissioned peace officer, paramedic , and fire investigator. He has been a first responder for over 20 years and has extensive experience in crisis intervention and emergency response. Dustin completed his peace officer training at Tarrant County Junior College in Fort Worth, Texas and Paramedic certification at Methodist Dallas. He currently works as a fire investigator. He holds certifications in Fire Instructor I and II. Dustin runs a non-profit that brings holiday cheer to families that have suffered a hardship. Firefighters across Texas join together to hang Christmas lights on family’s homes. Read about his project at www.katiepalmerproject.com.
Dustin Bortzfield,
Marianne Dryer is a dynamic speaker, educator and corporate consultant in curriculum development. She has lectured nationally and internationally on periodontal instrumentation with a focus on ultrasonic technique, risk assessment, infection prevention and radiology technique. Marianne’s experience in dentistry spans over 30 years. She is a graduate of Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists, Old Dominion University and received her Master’s in Education from St Joseph’s College of Maine. Marianne was the first year coordinator at Collin College in Dallas Texas for six years where she was selected for the Outstanding Faculty Award and was nominated for the Advisor of the Year. She has been a faculty member at Cape Cod Community College since 2007. Marianne is also a Periodontal Instrumentation Instructor for DH Methods of Education, Inc., an educational program for dental and dental hygiene faculty. She has been a strong advocate for introducing ultrasonic instrumentation into dental hygiene curriculums earlier and with more structured, foundational content.
Priscilla Garcia, RDA
Priscilla began her career in dentistry as a chair-side dental assistant in 2002. She worked chair-side and in an administrative capacity in general and specialty dental practices. She began teaching dental assisting part-time with Collin College in 2016. She transitioned to Program Managing and teaching dental assisting full time with Collin College in 2017.
Jasmine Friend, BSPH, RDH
Jasmine Friend, BSPH, RDH has enjoyed working as a dental hygienist in the North Dallas area since 2016. She studied dental hygiene at Collin College and received her Bachelor's degree in Public Health from Brigham Young University-Idaho.
She enjoys working with underserved patients and is excited to start her journey in education as an associate faculty member of Collin College Dental Hygiene Program. Jasmine is also a lead organizer for Reclaim Smiles. A project that provides dental services for survivors of human trafficking.
Priscilla Garcia, RDA
Priscilla began her career in dentistry as a chair-side dental assistant in 2002. She worked chair-side and in an administrative capacity in general and specialty dental practices. She began teaching dental assisting part-time with Collin College in 2016. She transitioned to Program Managing and teaching dental assisting full time with Collin College in 2017.
Jennifer Sweetmon, M.S., RDH
Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from Texas Woman's University in 1997. After practicing as a clinical hygienist for many years, she became a certified speed-reading instructor and began offering classes locally.
In 2005, Jennifer began her education career by joining the faculty of Collin College's Dental Hygiene Program. By 2011 she received her Master of Health Communication from Boston University. She currently teaches full-time at Collin College in McKinney, Texas.
In addition to offering speed reading classes, Jennifer is an educational speaker and has had the opportunity to present at Southwest Dental Conference, Collin College, and Root Periodontics. See her Speaking Topics page for more information (www.rapidread.org).
Memberships: American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA), Dental Hygiene Educators Association (DHEA), Certified Speed Reading Instructor, 2004.
Jennifer Sweetmon, M.S., RDH
Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from Texas Woman's University in 1997. After practicing as a clinical hygienist for many years, she became a certified speed-reading instructor and began offering classes locally.
In 2005, Jennifer began her education career by joining the faculty of Collin College's Dental Hygiene Program. By 2011 she received her Master of Health Communication from Boston University. She currently teaches full-time at Collin College in McKinney, Texas.
In addition to offering speed reading classes, Jennifer is an educational speaker and has had the opportunity to present at Southwest Dental Conference, Collin College, and Root Periodontics. See her Speaking Topics page for more information (www.rapidread.org).
Memberships: American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA), Dental Hygiene Educators Association (DHEA), Certified Speed Reading Instructor, 2004.
Jasmine Friend, BSPH, RDH
Jasmine Friend, BSPH, RDH has enjoyed working as a dental hygienist in the North Dallas area since 2016. She studied dental hygiene at Collin College and received her Bachelor's degree in Public Health from Brigham Young University-Idaho.
She enjoys working with underserved patients and is excited to start her journey in education as an associate faculty member of Collin College Dental Hygiene Program. Jasmine is also a lead organizer for Reclaim Smiles. A project that provides dental services for survivors of human trafficking.
All Rights Reserved | Kandice Swarthout | A Tilley Wynn Website