Carrie Krekoski, BDSc 2010, is a dental hygienist, researcher, Clinical Assistant Professor at UBC Dentistry and Assistant Director of Education at UBC Health. We connected with Carrie to learn about her passion for oral healthcare and her unique career path.
What initially sparked your interest in a career in dental hygiene?
I knew I wanted to work in healthcare and contemplated nursing, but I didn’t have the fortitude for night shifts! I knew an oral surgeon who practiced part-time in my hometown of Prince George, and when I told him I was considering dental hygiene, he invited me to observe his practice. On my first day, he did an open flap surgery, and I was hooked! I later worked as a receptionist at his office and then applied to dental hygiene school at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George.
After graduation, I worked in various areas of hygiene, including public health, clinical practice and pediatrics, and decided I wanted more. I’m very passionate about oral health and felt that being an educator was a valuable role. I completed my Master of Education at Simon Fraser University and the Dental Hygiene Degree Completion program at UBC’s Faculty of Dentistry.
Initially, I wasn’t sure if I was going to do the full degree completion or just take a few courses, but my first class was oral pathology and I loved it! After practicing for a while, things can get a bit mundane, but the degree completion program reinvigorated my passion for the dental hygiene profession.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
I love watching students transition from insecure to confident—it’s an amazing experience to be a part of! I always remember the students I teach will eventually be my colleagues, so I do everything I can to help shape them and hopefully set them up for success.
At UBC Dentistry, I teach first- and second-year dental hygiene students and first-, second- and third- year DMD students. My courses focus on behavioural science and communication, which means looking at what motivates positive health behaviours and the theories that help inform your practice when communicating with patients about these behaviours.
I am also the Assistant Director of Education with UBC Health, where I support the strategic planning, development, implementation and evaluation of interprofessional education initiatives. I am working with a team to launch the Gateway Team Based Care Teaching Clinic. In particular, I am designing a curriculum focused on various dimensions of collaborative practice to assist faculty and preceptors in effectively teaching with an interprofessional approach.
Are there any projects you’re especially excited about right now?
I am currently working on a passion project that’s part of my lifelong commitment to community service. I am collaborating with local physicians and the CHANGE BC team in the Pacific Northwest to enhance oral healthcare for underserved communities. The CHANGE BC program provides comprehensive, culturally informed treatment for patients with metabolic syndrome and other related health issues, and I’m honoured to serve as the Oral Health Lead.
What excites me most about this project is the opportunity to integrate oral health into a broader primary care framework. I’m focused on educating primary care providers about oral-systemic health links, strengthening referral pathways to dental care and fostering stronger collaboration between medical and dental professionals. Last year, I introduced mobile dental hygiene care in communities including Terrace, Houston, Nisga’a and Smithers with the support of travelling dental hygienist Jackie Tong, BDSc 2018. With the support of Metabolic Syndrome Canada and CHANGE BC, we secured funding for essential dental equipment. This initiative is continuously evolving, and I’m excited to see how we can innovate further to provide more accessible dental care.
I’m also looking forward to finishing my PhD in Leadership and Policy at UBC! My thesis examines the role of contingent faculty in the oral health profession.
Tell us about your work with the Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative.
I started working with the Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative (CIHC) many years ago. In 2010, the CIHC developed a framework for advancing collaborative practice, and it was due for a refresh. I helped lead this effort, and in 2024, our team published a new framework, which is an educational resource that informs and prepares learners and practitioners for collaborative healthcare and service across Canada and globally.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love to create things—before deciding on a career in dental hygiene, I was accepted into an art program. My art takes on many forms, from painting to decorating desserts to designing gardens. I love having creative outlets, and I also love hiking!