About

Lory Laughter has been an active dental hygienist since her graduation from Idaho State University with a BS degree in 1994. In 2015 she earned a Masters of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of California, San Francisco. Today she has a variety of career roles including academics, speaking and writing. Lory is an Assistant Professor of Periodontics at University of the Pacific, Arthur A Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco. In the past, she has been a consultant with Nuvora, Inc and Livionex, a Clinical Educator with American Eagle Instruments, Inc and Dental Hygiene Educator with Interleukin Genetics. A passion for learning has fostered a desire for sharing that passion with all health care professionals.

Her monthly column in RDH Magazine helps dental professionals utilize the internet for career and professional development and patient care delivery. Her drive to bring every dental hygienist into the 21st century makes Lory's passionate column a must read for dental professionals.

Lory is the founder and owner of Dental IQ — a business committed to providing quality continuing education to the entire dental team. Dental IQ hosts the Annual Napa Dental Experience which has grown to become a popular national meeting drawing nationally recognized speakers and international attendees.

As a national speaker covering a variety of dental and health topics, her courses are appealing to every member of the dental team. Lory's continuing education classes are available to any size audience - national meetings, state and local associations, study clubs or in-office training - and are tailored for the specific needs of the group.

Her ability to combine science, clinical evidence and humor makes for an educational and lively experience. A strong belief that dental professionals are health care providers is evident in her presentations and through her passion for treating people and not teeth.

Lory is a Key Opinion Leader with GC America and Philips (Sonicare). She is a member of the California Dental Hygienists' Association and is serving as the 2017-2018 CDHA President. Her humorous side was honed by raising nine children and still maintaining some degree of sanity (and mostly all of her hair). Her spare time is devoted to volunteering in her community and enjoying empty nest syndrome.

She received the 2011 Professional Achievement Award from Idaho State University Division of Health Sciences and the 2015 Sunstar Butler Award of Distinction.