Darlene Swigart

Darlene grew up in a military family where she lived in numerous locations throughout the United States. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree in 1998 and earned a Master of Science in 2018, both from Idaho State University. She has practiced dental hygiene in both Montana and California. After 17 years as a clinical dental hygienist in general and periodontal practices, Darlene decided to pursue her life-long dream of becoming a teacher. Prior to Oregon Tech, Darlene taught Periodontology and was also a clinical and lab adjunct faculty member at West Coast University in Anaheim, California. At Oregon Tech, Darlene is the Sophomore Clinic Lead Instructor and teaches the Prevention course series. She has taught a variety of courses while at Oregon Tech including Community Health, Instructional Methods, and Introduction to Dental Hygiene. Her research interests are in dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment planning, head and neck cancer prevention, and social determinants of health factors in dentistry. Darlene serves as co-chair of the Klamath Basin Oral Health Coalition. She loves teaching and appreciates giving back to a profession that has given her so much in return. In her leisure time, Darlene enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and kayaking.