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Today's Feature Friday is Debbie Gatewood, RDH, CP!
Debbie has worked in the field of dentistry for nearly 30 years. On a recent trip to Chicago in 2014, to attend RDH - Under One Roof, she learned that her home state of New Mexico had never held on Oral Cancer Awareness event. Debbie told OCF that upon hearing that news she became totally motivated to bring one to her state. This year she became an OCF Event Coordinator for the inaugural OCF Walk/Run for Awareness – Albuquerque, which will take place this August!
Debbie’s interest in dentistry began as a teenager after visiting her uncle one summer. Debbie tells us, “He was in dental school in Kansas City. He had a little lab in his apartment and allowed me to trim a model for him. I was hooked. This was what I was going to spend my life being involved in. It seemed like a lot of fun!” Debbie’s uncle encouraged her to pursue a degree in dental hygiene. As a single mother balancing her family, work and schooling she decided to start with dental assisting, since it would require a shorter amount of time in school. Throughout those years she gained many important experiences and worked with some wonderful patients. She tells us that she loved dental assisting, but wanted to do more.
Since then she has worked in pediatrics, surgery, taught for a community college dental assisting program and had the opportunity to move to San Diego, CA to complete her training in dental hygiene. She has been back in Albuquerque practicing dental hygiene for 7 years. Debbie tells us, “I absolutely love working in the dental hygiene field and currently have some amazing jobs! As an RDH I want my patients and the public to understand that oral cancer is a killer, and that one person dies every hour of every day from this disease. It is so important to screen, catch this disease early and prevent another loss of a life.”
When asked about why she decided to get involved with OCF and start the Albuquerque event Debbie said, “I feel that it is our responsibility as oral health care providers to make this happen. This is something that can bring our healthcare providers together with the community and save lives. My close friend Melissa Adkins and her husband Dr. Zach Adkins and I, as well as lots of other people in the community that have wanted to get involved, are working hard together to make this event a success.
Debbie says that, “I personally do not know anyone with oral cancer and have not found oral cancer during a patient exam. I really hope that I never do, but if so, hopefully it will be caught at an early, treatable stage. I am truly excited about being involved in this great event.” OCF is very grateful to have Debbie’s support. The OCF Walk/Run for Awareness – Albuquerque will take place Saturday, August 6th and will surely be a huge success! To learn more about the event, please visit: http://
Debbie has worked in the field of dentistry for nearly 30 years. On a recent trip to Chicago in 2014, to attend RDH - Under One Roof, she learned that her home state of New Mexico had never held on Oral Cancer Awareness event. Debbie told OCF that upon hearing that news she became totally motivated to bring one to her state. This year she became an OCF Event Coordinator for the inaugural OCF Walk/Run for Awareness – Albuquerque, which will take place this August!
Debbie’s interest in dentistry began as a teenager after visiting her uncle one summer. Debbie tells us, “He was in dental school in Kansas City. He had a little lab in his apartment and allowed me to trim a model for him. I was hooked. This was what I was going to spend my life being involved in. It seemed like a lot of fun!” Debbie’s uncle encouraged her to pursue a degree in dental hygiene. As a single mother balancing her family, work and schooling she decided to start with dental assisting, since it would require a shorter amount of time in school. Throughout those years she gained many important experiences and worked with some wonderful patients. She tells us that she loved dental assisting, but wanted to do more.
Since then she has worked in pediatrics, surgery, taught for a community college dental assisting program and had the opportunity to move to San Diego, CA to complete her training in dental hygiene. She has been back in Albuquerque practicing dental hygiene for 7 years. Debbie tells us, “I absolutely love working in the dental hygiene field and currently have some amazing jobs! As an RDH I want my patients and the public to understand that oral cancer is a killer, and that one person dies every hour of every day from this disease. It is so important to screen, catch this disease early and prevent another loss of a life.”
When asked about why she decided to get involved with OCF and start the Albuquerque event Debbie said, “I feel that it is our responsibility as oral health care providers to make this happen. This is something that can bring our healthcare providers together with the community and save lives. My close friend Melissa Adkins and her husband Dr. Zach Adkins and I, as well as lots of other people in the community that have wanted to get involved, are working hard together to make this event a success.
Debbie says that, “I personally do not know anyone with oral cancer and have not found oral cancer during a patient exam. I really hope that I never do, but if so, hopefully it will be caught at an early, treatable stage. I am truly excited about being involved in this great event.” OCF is very grateful to have Debbie’s support. The OCF Walk/Run for Awareness – Albuquerque will take place Saturday, August 6th and will surely be a huge success! To learn more about the event, please visit: http://
Jane Pettit and 12 others like this.
Susan Nasto Lauria
Thank you Debbie!!! You are making a huge difference in Albuquerque!! Love working with you!
Jun 10, 2016