NCOHC has been fortunate to have two fantastic interns on our team this summer. Parker Norman and Emily Stallings are oral health advocates passionate about improving the lives of those who are traditionally underserved by health care systems.
Take a minute to learn more about them and why they chose to work with us at NCOHC!
Parker Norman
Parker is an undergraduate student studying Health Policy and Management at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health with minors in Spanish and Entrepreneurship.
Fun Fact: “I hope to run a marathon on every continent and in every state! I am currently training for my third full marathon.”
Where did you first hear about NCOHC and why did you want to pursue an internship here?
“I attended a ‘Lunch and Learn’ about oral health policy in North Carolina through the Gillings School, which was led by the collaborative. I pursued an internship with the collaborative because I wanted experience in oral health policy, including research, and I wanted to engage in oral health advocacy activities.”
What about public health dentistry is intriguing to you?
“Public health dentistry is intriguing to me as it focuses on addressing the oral health of populations and the many determinants of health that influence each person to different extents, through many avenues including caring for vulnerable populations, policy research and implementation, research of health determinants and how to address them, and preventative education.”
What have you worked on as an NCOHC intern, and what do you hope to take away from this work?
“As an NCOHC intern, I conducted a literature review of dental care management models around the U.S., including dental navigator models and the ADA-formalized Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) model. A dental navigator (or CDHC) is often a culturally competent individual from the communities served who focuses on connecting people with a dental home and the many things they need to obtain oral health care and maintain good oral health (i.e., transportation, insurance, health literacy perhaps with a translator’s help, preventative education among others).
“These models increase access to dental care through care coordination, resulting in better oral health outcomes. Through this work, I have come to understand how innovative oral health care workforce models can be utilized to address health determinants, like access to dental care, and improve the patient’s overall oral health outcomes. Conducting literature reviews to advise policy changes and advocacy efforts is a role I expect to engage in during my future career, and I am thankful for my experiences with the collaborative.”
If you could tell North Carolinians one thing you have learned that you think is important for everyone in North Carolina to hear, what would that be?
“I would tell North Carolinians that dental disease is entirely preventable. By focusing on prevention and addressing health determinants, everyone can have good oral health.”
What’s next for you?
“In the near future I plan to start my pursuit of a career in dentistry by attending dental school. I hope to study oral public health as I obtain my dental degree through a public health dual-degree program or public health elective courses.”
Emily Stallings
Emily is a second-year dental student in the UNC Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry. She graduated with a B.S. in Biology from Campbell University in 2019.
Fun fact: “I love traveling! I have traveled to seventeen different countries and all over the United States. I studied abroad twice, living in both Prague, Czech Republic and Genoa, Italy.”
Why did you choose to study dentistry?
“I’ve always enjoyed immersing myself in opportunities that place me at the heart of my community. Upon assuming the role of Student Clinical Assistant in the free Community Care Clinic at Campbell University, I encountered an overwhelming number of patients with poor oral health. This role allowed me to see first-hand how something so vital for life affects not only a patient’s physical health, but also their mental and emotional health. Compelled by the desire to make a difference, I decided to pursue a career in dentistry.”
Where did you first hear about NCOHC and why did you want to pursue an internship here?
“I first heard about the North Carolina Oral Health Collaborative as a first-year dental student when Dr. Brian gave a presentation in a class called, ‘Social & Ethical Issues’ taught by Dr. Lew Lampiris. After Dr. Brian shared that the collaborative was a dynamic organization that focused on oral health access barriers facing vulnerable populations across North Carolina, I knew that I needed to learn more about NCOHC as a future oral health care provider and community leader.”
What about public health dentistry is intriguing to you?
“Public health dentistry is fascinating. Each day is filled with patients of all ages from all walks of life and every day offers a new opportunity to educate each patient about the importance of oral health. Further, working at an FQHC allows all people, despite their income, to be treated. It truly is an amazing experience!”
What have you worked on as an NCOHC intern, and what do you hope to take away from this work?
“I have been working on a write-up that details the role of Expanded Function Dental Assistants in surrounding states with similar regional, social, and racial demographics to North Carolina. My research has allowed me to see just how restrictive access to dental care is and just how important health policy changes aimed at increasing access to oral health services can be at reducing the barriers that so many patients face.”
If you could tell North Carolinians one thing you have learned that you think is important for everyone in North Carolina to hear, what would that be?
“Your voice matters. By using your voice to bring attention to social issues you are passionate about, you can impact legislation, make positive changes in your community, and transform lives.”
What’s next for you?
“After graduating with my DDS in 2023, I plan to work as an associate in a rural, underserved area in eastern North Carolina with the hopes of one day owning my own practice. I am also very interested in advocacy, public policy, and public health dentistry, so I can’t wait to see what the future holds!”
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