October is Dental Hygienist Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of dental hygienists in promoting oral health and wellness. At the School District of Lancaster, we are grateful to have Karen Sherwood, a Certified School Dental Hygienist with over 20 years of service, as part of our dedicated team. With her unique dual certification, which includes a public health hygienist license, Karen has spent more than two decades helping our students develop healthy dental habits.
Karen’s journey in dental hygiene began with her passion for anatomy and physiology, which she discovered in high school. “I wanted to enter a health care field that had flexibility and purpose,” she shared. After earning her associate degree in dental hygiene from Fairleigh Dickinson University’s School of Dentistry and her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she moved to Lancaster County in 1996 with her husband and three children. Since then, Karen has been a vital part of SDoL’s health services team, bringing her expertise to students across various grade levels.
“My favorite part of this job is interacting with students of all ages and hearing their stories and questions about their teeth,” Karen said. She conducts state-mandated dental screenings, reaching nearly 4,000 students annually across pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, third, fifth, and seventh grades. She also provides oral health education to around 5,000 students each year, emphasizing the importance of dental care and nutrition.
Unlike traditional dental hygienists who work in clinical settings, Karen focuses on prevention and education. “We’re prevention-oriented, teaching students to avoid preventable dental issues to stay healthy,” she explained. In addition to screenings, Karen collaborates with school nurses and teachers, helping students who may need follow-up treatment or additional dental care resources.
Outside of her work at SDoL, Karen is a big sports fan, enjoys hiking, and practices yoga to stay balanced. Her passion for her work and dedication to her students make her an invaluable asset to the SDoL community.
As we celebrate Dental Hygienist Month, we thank Karen Sherwood for her commitment to supporting the health and well-being of our students. Her work underscores the essential role of dental hygiene in our schools and her positive impact on Lancaster’s next generation.