
Ensuring Access to Care for Those Who Need It Most
Angela Settle, RDH, BSDH, BS, turned her passion for community health into action by helping establish a dental program at the Moab Free Health Clinic. Her dedication to increasing access to oral healthcare earned her a Utah Rural Impact Award, making her the first oral health provider to receive this honor.

Angela Settle, RDH, BSDH, BS, works in both private practice and at the Moab Free Health Clinic in Moab, Utah, where she also worked and volunteered for prior to becoming a dental hygienist. At the clinic, she served as development director managing $350,000 in grants and donations. In 2020, due to the need for oral healthcare in the community, Settle helped secure $160,000 to start a dental program. To support this program and meet the needs of her neighbors, she began the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program at Utah Tech University in 2020. In 2022, she received the school’s Dental Hygiene Student of the Year Award.
Because of her work at the Moab Free Health Clinic, Settle was the first oral health provider to receive a Rural Impact Award through the Utah Department of Health and Human Services in November 2024. The award honors those who strive to ensure all Utahns have access to healthcare services. She is also involved in the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Utah Dental Hygienists’ Association (UDHA), advocating for her profession and her patients. Currently a graduate student, Settle will complete a Master of Science in Human Resources in October 2025. She remains dedicated to increasing access to dental care.
Settle recently shared about her professional journey with Sunstar Ebrief.
- What was your path to becoming a dental hygienist?
My journey to the dental hygiene profession has been quite unconventional. I did not begin dental hygiene school at Utah Tech University until my late 30s, and the diverse life experiences I gained beforehand have deeply fueled my passion for both my patients and the profession. I was lucky to be surrounded by the best in our field at Utah Tech and continue to stay involved in the UDHA because of my colleagues’ advocacy efforts that benefit my rural setting.
- What sparked your passion for providing oral healthcare in a rural setting?
In 2012, I started volunteering at the Moab Free Health Clinic by providing free sexually transmission infection counseling and testing to the uninsured in my community. While providing these and other services, I was regularly asked what options were available for those without dental insurance. These conversations not only introduced me to the idea of dental hygiene as a profession, but also the value of preventive medicine and the power of education. Our patients were invested in their healthcare, but faced seemingly insurmountable barriers to accessing certain services, particularly dental care. Through significant community support and a dedicated staff, the Moab Free Health Clinic was able to start a dental program in 2021. I have been providing dental hygiene services and assisting our dentist since 2022 and I love the successes I get to celebrate with patients.
- You are the first oral health professional to receive Utah’s Rural Impact Award. What do you think is the significance?
I am honored and humbled to be recognized so early in my career. I am also confident that I am following in the footsteps of countless dental hygienists who are working to illustrate the oral-systemic link to our patients. All healthcare providers need to understand the connection between the two. I also see it as recognition as to the value of oral health, not only systemically, but also socially and economically.
My rural community is several hours from the next town, leading to a higher cost of living and few options for providers. Our community members work multiple jobs just to survive; dental care is well beyond their capacity until an emergency arises. This award recognizes my efforts at addressing these barriers to care, namely cost and availability. I am passionate about ensuring everyone has access to both care and education for the best possible health outcomes.
- What do you think are the most important steps to make sure more rural residents receive dental care?
Entire communities need to understand the need for and value of preventive care. For example, in Moab, many of the local businesses support the Moab Free Health Clinic. These financial contributions allow us to provide free services to the uninsured (and likely their employees). They understand that we are supporting their bottom line with healthy employees and fewer lost days. I also value partnerships between private practice and charitable care. The Moab Free Health Clinic provides basic dental services but appreciates our relationships with other providers in town who provide services beyond our resources. We are not competing for patients but rather we are all playing a vital role in the community.