Tamra (Tammy) Johns, RDH, BSDH is an Expanded Practice Dental Hygienist with a vision of increased access to the highest standards of oral health care. She is extremely passionate about advancements in the education and profession of dental hygiene.Tammy began her career in the dental field in 1997 as a dental assistant. Since then she has worked as a dental office manager, dental assistant, clinical dental hygienist and dental educator. These experiences have allowed her to gain vast perspective on patients and students wants and needs in dentistry.In January of 2012, she started an independent dental hygiene practice, Absolute Dental Hygiene, LLC. She provides preventive, therapeutic and palliative care, in addition to triage and referrals, for many patients in her community.She has taught consistently for the past 9 years in both Lane Community College (LCC) dental hygiene and dental assisting programs and strongly values education and professional affiliation. It is her belief that evidence-based research along with the collaboration of providers is necessary to meet optimum oral and systemic health. She is a member of American Dental Hygiene Association, Academy of Laser Dentistry, LCC Dental Hygiene Advisory Board, University of Oregon Toastmaster Club and Emerald Study Club.Tammy is dedicated to striving for the highest standard of care for her patients in a welcoming atmosphere at the most affordable price. Her mission is to treat and educate patients as a whole entity in collaboration with multiple health care professionals, while obtaining the most current knowledge and technology in the field.For example, she believes the use of lasers in dental hygiene is necessary to provide the most advanced, highest care for patients. It is now one of her goals to spread the word on the use of lasers routinely in dental hygiene practice. She has spoken on this topic at national conferences, developed and taught laser certification courses and created dental hygiene educational materials for AMD Lasers. She is committed to working with professionals who are passionate about lasers in dentistry, to achieve the common goal in providing the most optimum care for patients.Tammy is a proud mother of 3 grown boys who she raised, in addition to a 17.5 year-old lab! She is also proud to finally have a daughter (son is recently married). She enjoys running, golfing, hiking, painting and being anywhere in the sun.