Marsha A. Voelker, CDA, RDH, MS is a former Associate Professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City for the Division of Dental Hygiene where she taught a broad range of classes and facilitates the forensic dentistry practicum. She attended the University of North Carolina where she obtained a Master of Science degree in Dental Hygiene Education with a minor in Biological Science, a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene and certificate in Dental Assisting. She also obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Pfeiffer College in North Carolina. She served as a Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Program Director at Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) in Sanford, North Carolina. During this time, she assisted in obtaining grant funding to develop both dental programs at CCCC-as well as-developed both programs curriculums, designed and managed to obtain state of the art equipment for the facility, and obtained Commission on Dental Accreditation “initial” accreditation status for both programs. Other previous experiences include working as a clinical research assistant and certified dental assistant (CDA) both in a private practice, university and hospital. She is a member of several organizations Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (DMORT), Missouri Emergency Response Identification Team (MERIT), American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA), Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP), American Dental Education Association (ADEA), International Association for Dental Research (IADR), American Association for Dental Research (AADR), American Society of Forensic Odontology (ASFO), Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) and has served as a one-year board member and continues to serve as student liaison for the Greater Kansas City Dental Hygienists’ Association. Prof. Voelker plays the trumpet in the church orchestra and has continued involvement with North Carolina Tar Heel Girls State program sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary for 24 years as a counselor. Recently she was deployed with DMORT to assist with the efforts in Joplin, Missouri.
Motivational Training for Dental Professionals is important. In the past dental hygiene students at the University of Missouri-Kansas City had an interactive Motivational Interviewing sessions throughout their first semester.