Bonnie Branson, RDH, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Dental Public Health and Behavioral Science at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, where she teaches public health courses and coordinates service-learning activities for dental and dental hygiene students. She recently served as principal investigator and project director for Miles of Elder Smiles, a place-based dental home in a long-term care facility. Branson’s current teaching and research interests include service learning, program implementation/ evaluation, and access-to-care issues.
Noting harmful chair side postures through assessment and observation and making necessary adjustments can make the difference in maintaining a healthy career in dental hygiene.