Dental hygiene graduate honored by dental school alumni

Karen Avey has been a practicing dental hygienist for 39 years. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene in 1984 from West Virginia University School of Dentistry and began practicing clinical dental hygiene. In 1984, she was licensed to practice dental hygiene in Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania and continues to maintain those licenses. In 2005, she received her Master of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene, also from WVU, while working full-time in Virginia. 

Karen was an excellent undergraduate and graduate student—both clinically and didactically—and was inducted into Sigma Phi Alpha, the dental hygiene honor society.  As an undergraduate student, she was selected to present her table clinic at the American Dental Hygienists’ Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA.  Since her graduation, she contributed annually for several years to the Department of Dental Hygiene for student research.

Karen lives in Winchester, VA, and has worked full-time in clinical dental hygiene and part-time since 2005.  Since 2005, she has also been a part-time clinical/adjunct clinical and didactic instructor at Virginia Western/Laurel Ridge Community College in Virginia.

 She is a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association.  Since 1991, she has served a very active role in the VA Dental Hygienists’ Association, having held offices and twice having received the Outstanding Member Award and the Award of Dedication. Karen has also been a member of the American Dental Education Association since 2005.

Karen is also certified in local anesthesia and nitrous oxide administration in Virginia and holds a Certificate in Dental Infection Prevention and Control.  

An excellent prototype of a well-rounded hygienist who has excelled in her profession, Karen Avey is very deserving of the WV Dental Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award.