Lindsey Lee
NMDHA President 2025-2026
It is a true honor to serve as your President of the New Mexico Dental Hygienists’ Association. My journey in dentistry began what seems like a lifetime ago in 2000, when I entered the field as a dental assistant. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to grow both personally and professionally working as a Certified Dental Assistant, front office associate, practice manager, and ultimately as a Registered Dental Hygienist. After earning my Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from Pacific University in Oregon, I made New Mexico my home in 2009 and went on to complete my Master of Science in Dental Hygiene at the University of New Mexico.
Since that time, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many incredible dentists, hygienists, and assistants throughout Albuquerque. I’ve also had the joy of serving as a faculty member at the University of New Mexico, where I now lead as the Program Director for the Division of Dental Hygiene. In addition to my professional roles, I’m a proud mother of two wonderful girls, a wife, educator, scholar, and passionate advocate for our field. As your president, I am committed to advancing NMDHA’s mission to improve the oral health of our communities and expand access to quality oral healthcare.
One of the best pieces of advice I ever received came during my time in dental hygiene school: "Work with a dentist, not for one." That message has stayed with me throughout my career. Over time, I came to understand its deeper meaning to not only know and honor your worth as a dental hygienist, but to recognize that we are an integral part of a larger team. Our strength lies in collaboration. We are not just individual professionals, we are a united force working together with our dentists and assistants, to elevate the entire dental profession.
That belief is captured in what has become this year's unofficial motto at UNM’s Division of Dental Hygiene: "Stronger Together." Now, more than ever, our profession must continue to grow, advocate, and lead. Dental hygiene has evolved significantly over the years. We are no longer viewed solely as clinicians. We are educators, researchers, public health champions, policy influencers, and essential providers in the healthcare system. We are highly educated professionals equipped with the knowledge, skills, and compassion to make a profound difference in the lives of our patients and in the health of our communities.
As your president, I will continue to advocate for increased recognition of our value, expanded opportunities for practice, and greater accessibility to care for underserved populations. I am deeply committed to promoting collaboration among all dental professionals and cultivating a supportive network that empowers dental hygienists across New Mexico to grow both personally and professionally. Together, we can foster the advancement of the dental profession as a whole. Let us work together to carry this profession forward through innovation, leadership, and unity. I invite each of you to engage with NMDHA this year, whether it’s through continuing education, advocacy, mentorship, or outreach. Because together, we are stronger.
Your voice matters. Your work matters. And your presence makes a difference
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to an inspiring and impactful year ahead!
Lindsey Lee RDH, MS, LPN, FADHA
The following is a list of the current Board of Trustees for the NMDHA. NMDHA represents the interests of over 1,300 dental hygienists in New Mexico. This board is elected in the fall of each year and serves a one-year term in most offices. The position of Secretary, Treasurer, and Delegate is a two-year commitment.
The Councils are appointed or re-appointed by the current President. If you are interested in serving your profession, please contact the current President. We are always happy to see new faces and get input on keeping our profession at the forefront of oral healthcare in New Mexico.
Questions or comments for any Board member can be directed to the President, who will forward your email to the intended Board member.
| President | Lindsey Lee |
|---|---|
| Immediate Past-president | Christie Baca |
| Vice-president | Jazmine Chavez |
| Secretary | Marcella Naranjo |
| Treasurer | Lexy Maurer |
| President Elect |
Janaya Bunker |
| Title | Name |
|---|---|
| Title | Name |
| Title | Name |
| High Desert | Cathy Sovereign |
|---|---|
| Southern | Jody Doyle |
| Tres Rios | TaLor Estrada |
| ADHA District IX Director | Shawna Greer |
| Administration | Jaimie Meihaus |
|---|---|
| Education and Research | Vacant |
| General Membership Meetings | Mary Kaye Vigil |
| Member Services | Justine Ponce |
| Public Relations | Lindsey Lee |
| Regulation and Practice | Barbara Posler |
| Nominating Committee | Vacant |
| Committee Member | Vacant |
|---|
Regulation & Practice Committee
| Committee Member | Kelly Valdez-Ayres |
|---|---|
| Committee Member | Cathy Sovereign |
Nominating Committee
| Committee Member | vacant |
|---|---|
| Committee Member | vacant |
| Committee Member | vacant |
| Newsletter/E-news | Kelly Valdez-Ayres |
|---|---|
| Social Media Manager | vacant |
| Website Manager | vacant |
| Committee Member | vacant |
| Committee Member | Barbara Poser |
|---|---|
| Committee Member | vacant |
| HYPAC Chair | Sandy Johnson |
|---|---|
| HYPAC Treasurer | Valoree Althoff |
| HYPAC Director | Karina Rodriguez |
| HYPAC Director | Wanda Abasumoh |
| HYPAC Director | Jaimie Meihaus |
| NMDHA ADHA IOH Liaison | Kelly Valdez-Ayres |
| Parliamentarian | Barbara Posler |
| Volunteer Coordinator | Kitty Rivera |
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To represent dental hygienists in continuing to improve the oral health of our community by being innovative in increasing access to quality oral healthcare.
To elevate the dental hygiene profession by promoting education, expanding the opportunities for practice, and enhancing access to quality oral healthcare.