Laura Waybright, RDH, posed for the June issue on Jacksonville Beach. She has practiced for four years, the last three for Dr. Joseph Barton (www.powerfulsmiles.com). She graduated from Florida Community College in Jacksonville in 2003. Afterwards, she enrolled in the distance-learning bachelor's degree program at St. Petersburg College, earning her bachelor's in dental hygiene in May 2007.
“The entire program was through online learning. Most of the people in the program were local to the school,” she says. “Prior to graduation, one of my professors/mentors asked me to speak at our graduation on distance learning and how that affected me. It was a huge honor to be asked to speak at something that was so important to me and was such a milestone.”
For more on distance learning, see Ann Bruck's article on page 60.
She plans to continue working as a clinical hygienist, but said she “would love the opportunity to get into the sales field or teach at our local community college.”
“I sincerely love the fact that I can help someone realize how their mouth is linked to their entire body, and make simple, small changes in daily life that not only increases their oral health, but overall health as well,” Laura said. “So far in my four-year career I have had the opportunity to work in an office with a high level of special needs patients, a pediatric office, and a general practice where the doctor is part of the Las Vegas Institute and specializes in neuromuscular esthetic dentistry. I am fortunate to have had the exposure to all these areas in such a short period.”
Jacksonville, Florida
Married to: Mark Waybright, a certified athletic trainer at a Jacksonville high school.
Children: The couple are expecting their first child, Olivia Sage Waybright, in October.
Marital benefits: “It is great having someone who is also involved in the medical field who can relate to a lot of what I do.”
Relaxation: “I play the piano and have since I was 12.”
