Sheri Alderson, CDA, EFDA, BS, is a clinical lecturer in the Department of Periodontics and Allied Education, Dental Assisting Program, at Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis. She teaches didactic and clinical courses, with a primary focus in radiology, practice management, and communication. Alderson has been active in clinical practice„including hospital dentistry, general practice, and orthodontics„for more than 40 years, and in academia for more than 15 years. She can be reached at: salderso@iu.edu.