Faculty and Staff

Dip DH, BScD (Dental Hygiene), MSc.DPH

Linda McKay comes to the program at VIU with over 35 years of experience in dental hygiene. Having graduated from the UBC’s dental hygiene program in 1983, life unexpectedly took her to Toronto where completed a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene at the University of Toronto. Shortly thereafter she began teaching dental hygiene full time, focusing on community outreach and public health sciences. In 2013, she returned to complete an MSc in Dental Public Health at the Faculty of Dentistry at U of T.

With over 24 years of experience in dental hygiene education in Ontario, Linda joined our team in 2021 excited to return to her BC roots. In addition to clinical work and teaching, Linda has served on institutional research committees and REB panel, and participated in item writing for the NDHCB. Linda also played a key role in establishing a student-run outreach oral health clinic serving low-income uninsured adults in Toronto.

Linda’s personal, professional and research interests are in access to care and health systems. She believes that education can cultivate individual behaviors that ultimately serve to benefit all of society. Her teaching style attempts to create inclusive, student centered, participatory learning that encourages learners to explore various perspectives and strives to ignite the desire for life-long learning and community service.

MEd; BSc; DipDH; PID

Andrew has been a registered dental hygienist since 1991 with experience in a variety of private practice settings. Andrew joined Vancouver Island University on a full-time basis in 2008 and now acts as clinic lead for the senior class. As a professional, Andrew is involved with the College of Dental Hygienists of BC (CDHBC) as a clinical board examiner and QAP assessor; National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB) as an item writer; Commission of Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) as site surveyor, and the Canadian Foundation for Dental Hygiene Research and Education (CFDHRE) as a review committee member. Andrews’s academic interests are in the areas of oral pathology, advanced instrumentation, and prevention. Andrew follows an educational philosophy that focuses on the individualized development of intrinsic motivation and life-long learning.

MSc, BDSc(DH), Dip DH

Deanna joined our Faculty in January of 2019 as a full-time faculty member. She has served as the program chair and senior year clinic lead, along with her professor role.

She comes to VIU after a lengthy clinical career in dental hygiene and dental assisting. Deanna holds a Certificate in Dental Assisting, Diploma of Dental Hygiene, a Bachelor of Dental Science (Dental Hygiene) and a Master of Science degree. She has had the honour to serve fellow dental hygienists provincially, nationally, and internationally. Her professional service began as a student representative with the Manitoba Dental Hygienists Association (MDHA). She has served in many positions within the MDHA, including President. Deanna has served as a Board Director on the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association and represented Canada on the House of Delegates of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists. She is an item writer for the National Dental Hygiene Certification Exam (NDHCE). Additionally, she is part of the Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada working group, mapping and developing the NDHCE and the Canadian Performance Exam in Dental Hygiene Blueprint to the FDHRC Entry-to-Practice Canadian Competencies for Dental Hygienists (November 2021).

Deanna is a passionate health service researcher. She is a lifelong learner and enjoys promoting the profession of dental hygiene.

MSc (UVIC); BDScDH (UBC); DipDH

Stephanie joined VIU in January 2008 as a sessional instructor and became a regular faculty member in 2010. She has over 25 years experience in the dental profession, first as a Certified Dental Assistant (4 years), and presently as a Registered Dental Hygienist (20+ years). Stephanie is actively involved with the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia (CDHBC) as a member of the Inquiry Committee and has provided clinical remediation to registrants through College referral. She is also an item writer for the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB). Stephanie has participated in several committees here at VIU, including Interprofessional Day and Seasons of Health and Healing. She built relationships with the local Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre and other community agencies to enrich the experiences of students through service learning, as well as giving to the community. Stephanie has worked with several nursing faculty to provide interprofessional learning experiences during community placements in the senior year of the program. Stephanie's areas of interest are oral health-systemic health; determinants of health; Aboriginal health; ecosocial theory and interprofessional collaboration.

BSc, University of Victoria; DipDH, Camosun College

Tamara graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Science degree and from Camosun College in Victoria with a Diploma in Dental Hygiene. Since 1999 she has been a Registered Dental Hygienist and is currently employed both in general practice and as a clinical instructor in the Dental Hygiene Diploma program at Vancouver Island University. With a diverse background in both the medical and dental health care fields, Tamara brings a broad range of experience into the educational setting. She has assisted in the production of educational dental podcasts, developed websites for dental offices, and has been a moderator for an online learning platform which provided business training for dentists through webinars. She hopes to instill this passion for technology and continuing education in her students allowing them to provide the best experiences possible for their future clients in the constantly advancing field of dentistry.