As a student: He graduated from State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Mo., in 2009. He said, "Being a single father of three young children at that time, I needed to find a career that would have a good income to support my family. I thought about nursing; my mother had been a nurse. But I decided that 12-hour shifts, weekends, and working holidays would not leave much time to be with my kids. After consulting a close friend, and my dentist and hygienist at my local office, I decided to pursue this field. Dental hygiene provides the income and the flexibility for me to raise my family without working holidays and weekends."
On a daily basis: He works as an oral health program consultant for the state, and he has been a hygienist with Dr. Paul Thompson since Oct. 2011. He is also an adjunct faculty member for State Fair Community College. "As an oral health program consultant with the State of Missouri, I am able to reach communities through our preventive services program, which provides screenings, education, preventive treatments, and a referral if treatment is needed. For those who do not have a dental home, we are providing a service they would not be getting, and I find that very rewarding."
About Jeffrey: His personal time is devoted to watching his three children -- Brianna (16), Taylor (14), and Noah (13) -- participate in school activities.
Cover photography by Rick Dahms
Past RDH Issues
