Julie Wells Kroeker, RDH, of McAllen, TX, is the latest recipient of the Crest Oral-B Pros in the Profession award program.
Wells Kroeker has been practicing dental hygiene for more than 28 years and holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. She works in an area that has a large Hispanic population, bringing a potential language barrier between her and many of her patients. Instead, she learned Spanish, which has greatly improved her relationships and ability to communicate with many of her patients.
A personal struggle that Wells Kroeker has overcome is her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis 12 years ago. Through her positive attitude, combined with regular exercise and a healthy diet, she has been in remission for several years and her career has not been impacted.
In her spare time, Well 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.
