Michelle Hurlbutt, RDH, MSDH, DHSc

Biography

Dr. Michelle Hurlbutt is the Dean of Dental Hygiene at West Coast University where she has held this position since 2015. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree from the University of Nebraska, her Master of Science in Dental Hygiene Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and her Doctor of Health Science from Nova Southeastern University.

Michelle joined West Coast University in 2014 and has been in dental hygiene education for over 20 years, teaching a variety of courses including research methodology, pharmacology, nutrition, medically compromised care, and radiology. Her career has spanned private practice, public health, corporate, continuing education, consulting, writing, and dental hygiene education.

Michelle was a charter member of the Dental Hygiene Board of California, the regulatory agency governing the practice of dental hygiene, where she served from 2009 to 2020. A career-long member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, Michelle is a past president of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association.

Michelle was Editor of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association Journal from 2007 to 2010.  Currently Michelle serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s Journal of Dental Hygiene.

Publications

Torabi, J., Luis, H.P.S., Mkrtchyan, G., Alavijeh, S.D., Dezfoli, S. & Hurlbutt, M. (2024). Antimicrobial effects of cannabidiol (CBD)-infused lozenges against Streptococcus mutans in oral health.  Brazilian Dental Journal, 35, https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-644020245988

Torabi, J., Luis, H., & Hurlbutt, M.  (2024). Anticaries and antigingivitis properties of cannabinoid-containing oral health products: A review. Cannabis Cannabinoid Research, 9(5), e1377–e1384. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2023.0206

Hurlbutt, M., & Boyd, L. (2023). Chapter 25: Protocols for prevention and control of dental caries. In Wilkins’ Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist, 14th ed., 457-467. Jones & Bartlett.

Stephens, K.M., Gurenlian, J.R., & Hurlbutt, M. (2023). Perceptions of incivility among dental hygiene students and faculty/administrators. Journal of Dental Hygiene, 97(6), 26-36.

Yang, S. M., Song, B., Wink, C., Abouaki, M., Takish, T., Hurlbutt, M., Dinica, D., Davis, A., Liang, R., & Wilder-Smith, P. (2023). Performance of automated oral cancer screening algorithm in tobacco users vs. non-tobacco users. Applied Sciences, 13(5), 3370, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/app13053370

Li, S., Stephens, K., & Hurlbutt, M. (2021). Advances in Diabetes Diagnosis and Monitoring. Journal of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association, Winter 2021, 39(3), 20-27.

McComas, M., Hurlbutt, M., & Fontana, M. A survey of cariology education in U.S. dental hygiene programs: The need for a core curriculum framework. (2020).  Journal of Dental Education, 84(12), 1348-1358. doi: 10.1002/jdd.12348

Hurlbutt M., & Asadoorian J.  (2016 July). Meeting the challenge of continued competence.  ACCESS, 30(6), 9-11.

Presentations

Hurlbutt, M. (2024, July 26). Utilizing the Nichols 5-Column Model for Program Assessment. American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) Annual Conference. New Orleans, LA.

Hurlbutt, M. (2024, June 3). Mapping Resilience: Building a Robust Program Through Curriculum Mapping. American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Allied Dental Program Director Conference. Washington, DC.

Hurlbutt, M. (2024, March 8). Creating Clinical Cases using Generative AI. International Dental Hygiene Educator’s Forum. New Orleans, LA.

Hurlbutt, M. (2023, July 6.) Educator’s Workshop – The Future of Dental Hygiene Education: Independence & Innovation. American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) Annual Conference. Chicago, IL.

Hurlbutt, M. (2022, August 10.) Experiences with the Global Oral Health Learning Discussion (GOLD) during the COVID19-Pandemic. International Dental Hygiene Educator’s Forum. Dublin, Ireland.

Advancements in Dental Hygiene Curriculum. CAMBRA Coalition Meeting. Denver, CO. August 16, 2019.