Alison
I am currently a practicing dental hygienist with over 10 years of experience in the field of oral health. With a passion for improving patient care and overall well-being, I decided to expand my expertise by pursuing certification in myofunctional therapy.
After earning my degree in dental hygiene from the University of South Dakota in 2014, I started working at Parkston Dental Center where I have spent years building a solid foundation in preventive oral care, educating patients, and collaborating with dentists to ensure optimal oral health. After starting my own family, I started to develop a keen interest in how oral health connects to overall well-being. Myofunctional therapy is a specialized field focused on correcting abnormal oral muscle patterns that can lead to a variety of dental and health issues, such as prolonged orthodontics, orthodontic relapse, teeth grinding, TMD pain, sleep apnea, and all the comorbidities that come with sleep apnea, such an heart disease and acid reflux.
Offering myofunctional therapy services will allow me to help patients retrain the muscles of the face and mouth to support proper breathing, swallowing, and alignment. This allows me to provide holistic care that addresses both the oral cavity and the function of the muscles and soft tissues surrounding it. My goal with myofunctional therapy is to help young kids function properly in order to prevent lifelong oral and health complications.
When not working, I enjoy helping my husband on the farm, spending time with my two daughters, and socializing with friends.