Rebecca Ortiz Bodensteiner

Dedicated educator and Registered Dental Hygienist with over 20 years of experience in private practice and business operations, combined with formal training in teaching. Proven ability to deliver engaging lectures, facilitate interactive discussions, and design assessments that promote critical thinking and inclusive learning environments. Skilled in both in-person and virtual instruction, leveraging technology and communication, to enhance educational outcomes.

Currently pursuing an advanced degree in Health Professions Education to contribute to academic innovation. Brings over 20 years of practical expertise to dental and community oral health education, advancing real-world application and students’ professional growth. Dedicated to the mission of Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC to provide education, scholarship, and outreach that improves oral, dental, craniofacial, and general systemic health and well-being locally, nationally, and internationally.

CORE SKILLS
Collaboration & Teamwork - Builds cooperative, harmonious relationships across administrators, faculty, students, staff, and alumni
Mutual Respect & Inclusivity - Creates equitable, inclusive learning environments
Professionalism - Models and promotes professional conduct in academic and clinical settings
Ethical Behavior - Upholds and cultivates ethical standards in education and patient care
Relationship Building - Strengthens connections to enhance program success and community engagement
Clinical Expertise - in dental hygiene, health promotion, and disease prevention strategies

EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice RDHAP

• Demonstrates commitment to excellence in patient care through ongoing continuing education and advanced clinical training.
• Implements health promotion and disease prevention, personalized recall strategies to optimize oral health outcomes.

Applied Business & Operational Acumen

• Successfully owned and operated a private dental practice for 23 years, delivering exceptional patient care and superior customer service.
• Proven ability to recruit, mentor, and retain high-performing teams, including dental assistants, hygienists, and administrative staff.
• Maintained long-standing collaboration with an IT team to ensure seamless technology integration, system efficiency, and data security.
• Strong financial acumen with expertise in profit and loss management, overhead control, and strategic planning for sustainable growth.
• Implemented scalable operational strategies, consistently exceeding production goals and driving year-over-year growth.
• Partnered with industry consultants to enhance training programs and optimize practice performance.

• Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice RDHAP, CA
• Registered Dental Hygienist, RDH, CA

• California Dental Hygiene Association CDHA
• Los Angeles Dental Hygiene Society LADHS
• National Network of Oral Health Access NNOHA
• USC Latino Alumni Association
• USC Alumni Association: Trojan League of South Bay

• Division: Community Health Programs, mobile dental clinic, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

• Peer Review for ADEA: peer reviewer for poster and techexpo submissions for 2026 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition.
• Post review evaluated via abstract scorecard, September 2025

• Presentations with Community Oral Health Ostrow Online Program guest alumni- education and program promotion
• “Preparing Effective Professionals: Establishing a Foundation in Community Oral Health.”
• Invited Speaker, 1 CE Unit Webinar, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Virtual Presentation. July 19, 2025.

•Special Patient Clinic Manual, contributed to (fall 2025 semester updates for chapters: Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy

Revised syllabi for fall 2025: COH 701, 702, 715: Revised syllabi for Fall 2025 (COH 701, 702, 715) to integrate updated instructional resources and ensure curriculum consistency

University Courses:

• Community Practice Standards COH 715; elective course for Master's in Community Oral Health Program
• Community Health Sciences COH 701; core course for certificate and Master's in Community Oral Health
• Social and Behavioral Sciences COH 702: core course for certificate and Master's in Community Oral Health

• Committee member for 40% Adjunct Assistant/Associate Professor of Clinical Dentistry REQ20137964

Casa de Los Angelitos – Volunteer Oral Health Advocate & Educator
Harbor City, CA | 2024–Present
Provide oral health education and support to pregnant women residing in a structured, comprehensive residential maternity and educational program. Advocate for preventive care, oral hygiene instruction, and improved access to dental services while promoting empowerment through health literacy.

Student Professional Performance Evaluation (SPPEC) Committee Member
2022–2025; Second Appointment (2025–Present)

• Serve on a faculty committee responsible for evaluating student professionalism and performance, contributing to policy decisions and academic standards.