Sandra Boucher-Bessent, RDH, BS, MA.

Sandra Boucher-Bessent is a highly accomplished healthcare professional whose career reflects a rare blend of clinical expertise, leadership, education, and strategic program development. With decades of experience spanning public health, academia, research, and corporate healthcare environments, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving patient outcomes and advancing oral health awareness. Her work across start-ups, non-profits, government agencies, and Fortune 50 companies highlights her adaptability and influence in both clinical and organizational settings.

Her academic journey laid a strong interdisciplinary foundation for her career. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later completed a Master of Arts in Family and Youth Ministry from Grand Canyon University, reflecting her passion for both healthcare and community-centered service. She further enhanced her professional scope through specialized training in clinical monitoring, grant writing, and orofacial myology, and most recently became a Certified Grief Educator through the David Kessler Training Program in 2026—underscoring her dedication to holistic care that addresses both physical and emotional well-being.

Sandra’s extensive clinical background includes roles in hospital systems, pediatric dentistry, military clinics, private practices, and public health programs. She served as a Clinical Dental Hygienist at prominent institutions such as Duke University Medical Center and Wake Medical Center, while also contributing to groundbreaking research at the University of North Carolina’s Dental Research Center. There, she played a vital role in studies exploring the connection between oral health and systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease and pre-term birth outcomes. Her work involved patient care, data management, regulatory compliance, and clinical research coordination.

In addition to her clinical work, Sandra has held numerous leadership and academic roles, including over a decade as a Clinical Adjunct Professor in the Department of Dental Ecology at UNC Chapel Hill. She also served as Dental Program Manager for Cabarrus Health Alliance and later as National Program Director for the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation, where she led initiatives to improve access to dental care for underserved populations. Her corporate experience includes serving as a Clinical Specialist for OralDNA Labs, a Quest Diagnostics company, where she contributed to advancing salivary diagnostic technologies in dentistry.

Beyond her professional roles, Sandra has been deeply engaged in professional organizations and community service. She has held multiple leadership positions within the North Carolina Dental Hygienists’ Association, including President, and has been actively involved in national and local public health initiatives. Her contributions have been recognized through numerous awards for leadership, service, and excellence in dental hygiene. A dedicated volunteer, she has supported causes such as the Special Olympics and the Billy Graham Library, further reflecting her lifelong commitment to service, education, and compassionate care.

• David Kessler Training Program - Certified Grief Educator, 2026
• Grand Canyon University - M.A. in Family and Youth Ministry, 2019
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - B.S. in Dental Hygiene, 1978
• Carteret Technical College - Emergency Medical Technician Training, 1979
• Pharmaceutical Education & Research Institute - Clinical Monitoring Training, 1999
• The Grantmanship Center - Grantmanship Training, 2000
• Coulson Institute - Orofacial Myology Training, 2005
• University of Southern California - Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, 2005

• AI Prompting — Ziplines Education
• Certified Grief Educator
• Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
• Certified Emergency Medical Technician (1979–1981)

• Enchanted Lantern Award, Supreme Council, Grottoes of North America (2007)
• North Carolina Head Start Association Recognition (2007)
• Outstanding Leadership Award, Cabarrus County Partnership for Children (2006)
• Fellowship Award, NC Dental Hygiene Academy of Advanced Studies (2006)
• Senior Member Recognition, NC Dental Hygiene Academy of Advanced Studies (2005)
• Butler GUM/RDH Healthy Gums Health Life Award of Distinction (2002)
• GlaxoSmithKline Public Health Staff Recognition Award (2001)

• American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA)
• North Carolina Dental Hygienists’ Association (NCDHA)
• American Academy of Dental Hygiene (AADH)
• American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD)
• North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA)
• International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM)
• Greater Charlotte Metrolina Dental Hygiene Society
• North Carolina Dental Hygiene Academy of Advanced Studies

• Volunteer, Billy Graham Library (2013–Present)
• ADHA Liaison to Head Start National Center on Health (2013–2016)
• Special Olympics Special Smiles (State, National, and World events)
• Children’s Storyteller, Billy Graham Library

Contributor and co-author in RDH Magazine, Modern Hygienist, and ADHA publications

“Salivary Molecular DNA Testing and Its Impact on Dental Hygiene” – ADHA Access (2009)

Multiple book reviews published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene (2001–2007)

Contributions to research and professional literature in oral health and dental hygiene