kroeker pros in the professoin

Julie Wells Kroeker, RDH

Julie Wells Kroeker, RDH, of McAllen, Texas was announced as a recipient of the Crest Oral-B Pros in the Profession award program on Dec. 16, 2011.

Kroeker is the second Pros in the Profession for the second year of the award. She has practiced dental hygiene for more than 28 years, holding a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. She lives in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas with her husband and four children, two of which also plan to go into the dental profession in the future.

The Pros in the Profession program honors registered dental hygienists who "go above and beyond the call of duty every day."

To view a video about Kroeker's accomplishments, click here.

Kroeker works in an area that has a large Hispanic population, bringing a potential language barrier between her and many of her patients. She learned to speak Spanish, greatly improving her relationships and ability to communicate with many of her patients.

In her spare time, Kroeker 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. She regularly visits the high school where her sister teaches students with special needs. 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 Kroeker 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.

Learn more about Julie's story and nominate your favorite hygienist for the Pros in the Profession award at www.prosintheprofession.com.