Rina Nowka, RDH, MA, FADHA, is a full-time clinical instructor, student professional development coordinator, and pain management course director in the Department of Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting at New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry in Manhattan. She currently serves as the membership chair of the New Jersey Dental Hygienists’ Association and has been a practicing dental hygienist for more than 30 years. She can be reached at rn8@nyu.edu