Uncrowned Community Builders

Adjunct Professor, Clinical Instructor, Research Collaborator, & Mentor in Dentistry

Misty is a Registered Dental Hygienist who is a Clinical Instructor at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, Department of Periodontology & Endodontics.

Misty was born in Niagara Falls, N.Y. on August 27, 1972. She is the daughter of James Hunt (deceased), and Crystal Boling Barton. A former Medical Assistant, Misty is a graduate of Buffalo Traditional High School. A Dental Hygienist for the past twenty years, she continued her education at Erie County Community College, where she earned her Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene. She continued her studies at the State University New York at Canton, where she graduated with Honors and was recognized on the President's Honors List, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene, with a focus in Educational/Instructional Technology.

Misty is the first African American dental hygienist to teach pre-doctoral dental students in the clinical setting at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. She also worked as an Adjunct Professor at Erie County Community College School of Dental Hygiene, and an IDD Registered Dental Hygienist for University Pediatric Dentistry, specializing in dental hygiene for the special needs population. She also served as the coordinator for Oral Health America, where she went out in different communities seeking seniors to educate them about their oral health and helping them with access to dental care. She currently helps coordinate dental visits to Head start CAO programs in WNY. As the Coordinator for Standardization of Data Collection for Oral Health Screenings for "Give Kids a Smile Day", she managed the special needs patient treatment area and performed dental cleanings. She was a Research Collaborator with the University at Buffalo's Department of Occupational Therapy and University Pediatric Dentistry. This study focused on decreasing anxiety and negative behaviors and increasing the dental procedure completion rate for special needs patients.

Misty has been an Outreach Volunteer for many years, dedicated to promoting dental health and education in the community for the under-served population. Additionally, she volunteers as a Community Affairs Director for the UB Dental Chapter for the Student National Dental Association, by seeking outreach opportunities for dental students to teach dental health in the community. She is also a recruiter and mentor for the Future Dentist Mentoring Committee, where she guides minorities interested in the dental field. She has been seen on billboards throughout the community advertising UB's Dental School.

Misty is an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in special needs dentistry and the higher education field. She is skilled in coaching, public speaking, team building and mentoring. As a dedicated professional and educator, she successfully achieved her academic goals while raising four children and graduated with her Bachelor's Degree, the same year her oldest daughter graduated with hers. Her other three children are college students as well. In addition to taking courses in forensic science and observing autopsies to further her career in forensic dentistry, Misty is presently working on obtaining her Master's Degree in Adult Education.

Misty is a member of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, SUNY Empire State College Student Health & Wellness Initiative Committee, Future Dentist Mentoring Committee, and Women in the Spotlight Going Global. She is also the organizer of RDH and Beyond, a group supporting dental hygienists doing amazing things in and outside of the clinic.

Misty believes that there are no limits in trying to better yourself. She encourages others to reach higher, no matter what your age is or where you are in life!