Patricia J. Nunn, RDH, MS

Patricia J. Nunn (Trisha) is the Director of Dental Hygiene at Texas Woman’s University.  Previously Trisha served as dean and dental hygiene program director at the Utah College of Dental Hygiene, professor and chair of the Dental Hygiene Department at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, as Health Sciences Division Chair and Director of Dental Hygiene at Coastal Bend Community College, and as Clinical Coordinator at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

In 2010, Professor Nunn became the first dental hygiene educator to receive the very prestigious ADEA-Gies Award.  The Gies Awards, named after dental education pioneer William J. Gies, PhD, honor individuals and organizations exemplifying dedication to the highest standards of vision, innovation, and achievement in dental education, research, and leadership.  Ms. Nunn’s award was for Vision – Dental Educator.

Professor Nunn has served on the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Board of Directors serving as vice president for Allied Dental Program Directors.  She has published numerous scholarly articles and is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board for Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, a journal of professional excellence.  She has authored several continuing education, contributed to textbooks, acted as consultant and reviewer to publishers for textbooks and dictionaries, and enjoys presenting continuing education for educators and practitioners.

Professor Nunn has been active in American Dental Hygienists’ Association activities and has served as an ADEA’s representative to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner Advisory Committee.  She also serves as educational consultant and site visitor for the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.  In 2003, she received the ADEA/Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Allied Educator’s Fellowship.