Dental Hygienist Takes the Helm of Children’s Public Health Organization

Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, will lead the Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin as its new executive director. The organization is focused on improving the health of Wisconsin’s children through innovative programming and supporting families. He replaces Karen Ordinans who is retiring after serving as executive director for the past 18 years.

“I’m very excited about this opportunity and have very big shoes to fill. I look forward to leading our amazing team and the six health initiatives we are focused on to improve the health of children in Wisconsin,” Crespin shared with Dimensions.

Crespin has served as the alliance’s associate director since 2011 during which he led both the oral health and early childhood literacy programs along with providing operational support to the organization. The oral health program includes Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile, Healthy Smiles for Mom and Baby, and Wisconsin Oral Health Coalition. Under his direction, Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile has grown to serve nearly 850 schools across Wisconsin. He has increased funding at the alliance through local, state, and federal grants and coordinated efforts to keep the city of Milwaukee fluoridated, which impacts nearly 1 million residents.

In 2017, Crespin was honored as one of Dimensions’ “Six Dental Hygienists You Want to Know” for public health. He also served as president of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association from 2019 to 2020.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. April 2021;19(4):10.