Julie Wells Kroeker, Registered Dental Hygienist, has been practicing dental hygiene for more than 28 years, holding a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. She lives in the Rio Grande Valley with her husband and four children, two of which also plan to go into the dental profession in the future.
Julie works in an area that has a large Hispanic population, bringing a potential language barrier between her and many of her patients. Nevertheless, Julie has overcome this obstacle by learning to speak Spanish, which has greatly improved her relationships and ability to communicate with many of her patients.
In her spare time, Julie enjoys educating the youth in her community about the importance of maintaining good oral health through frequent presentations at the local elementary schools and health fairs. Julie regularly visits the high school where her sister teaches Special Education classes. Through role playing and props, she ensures that the students will feel comfortable, at ease and informed the next time they sit in the dental chair.
A personal struggle that Julie has overcome is her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis 12 years ago. Through her positive attitude, combined with regular exercise and a healthy diet, Julie is now in remission for several years and fortunately, her career has not been impacted.
To Julie, one of the most important things she can do is help others not only learn about proper oral hygiene, but also take passion in their oral health as much as she does. Through her tireless dedication to her profession, Julie strives to reinforce the oral care and overall health of her patients and community.
