UCSF School of Dentistry to Welcome Young Faculty Member

Ivy Zellmer, RDH, MS—a recent graduate of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Master of Science in Dental Hygiene Program—will be one of the youngest members to join the UCSF School of Dentistry faculty once her appointment as assistant professor is finalized.

“I was astounded to be offered a faculty position,” says Zellmer. “I am so energized to join an outstanding university and group of professors. I am excited about future research and inspiring dental hygienists to work beyond the operatory chair, in education, research, and leadership to help reshape health care.”

A member of the sixth class of students to complete UCSF’s graduate dental hygiene program, Zellmer focused her research on a randomized study of implant maintenance care practices of American dental hygienists. Graduates of the Master of Science in Dental Hygiene Program are prepared for careers in education, research, and leadership. Once her faculty position is official, Zellmer will co-teach a leadership course for graduate dental hygiene students and lead a seminar on implant maintenance for dental and postdoctoral residency students.

“My goals for my future learners are the same for myself: maintain integrity, display professionalism, engage in collaboration, perform with excellence, unleash inner passions, and advance the profession,” she says.

Zellmer works in a Napa, California, private practice. She is currently writing a textbook chapter with John D.B. Featherstone, MSc, PhD—a professor of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences at UCSF, dean of UCSF’s School of Dentistry, and a Dimensions of Dental Hygiene Editorial Advisory Board member—on caries risk management.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. October 2017;15(10):12.