My name is Hite Jones, RDH, BSDH, MSDH (c), and I am a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Gene W. Hirschfeld School of Dental Hygiene. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in May of 2024, and I am currently pursuing my Master of Science in Dental Hygiene with a concentration in education. I also work for Drs. Carroll, Casteen, and Lawrence Family Dentistry in Portsmouth, Virginia, part-time when I am not at ODU.

My research interest is perceptions of United States dentists and dental hygienists on the utilization of internationally trained dentists and oral preventive assistants providing dental hygiene care in the United States to address the dental hygiene workforce shortage. My short-term professional goals are to complete my Master of Science in Dental Hygiene degree by May of 2026 and have my research published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene. Additionally, my long-term professional goals are to become an adjunct clinical professor for the Gene W. Hirschfeld School of Dental Hygiene and work towards improving myself as an educator and dental hygienist.