Introducing Our Speaker...
Angela Richwine,
RDH,BASc,QOM,COM®
Angela has been in the dental field for 29 years. In 1996, Angela started working as an orthodontic assistant and found a passion for improving the smiles on many faces. In 2000, she graduated with her dental hygiene certificate and went on to complete her bachelor’s degree of Applied Sciences, with a focus in Business from Campbell University.
Growing up with her own myofunctional disorders: thumb sucking, open bite, and low tongue resting posture, Angela has an emotional connection to helping others recognize and overcome their own myofunctional disorders. In the early 2000’s, Angela attended an annual dental hygiene conference and there she was introduced to the world of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders. Intrigued, but married into the military and constantly moving, Angela was only able to read research articles and slowly absorb as much information as possible, until her family retired from the USMC and settled in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
After completing several courses, not all being mentioned here: IAOM, Neo-Health with Sandra Holtzman, Myo Mentor with Sarah Hornsby, Breathe Babies with The Breathe Institute, Joy Lantz Baby and Toddler, along with attending multiple continuing education courses year-round.
Angela holds certifications as a Certified Orofacial Myologist COM®, Qualified Orofacial Myologist QOM®, and certificates in Buteyko Breathing Method, Face Yoga, Qua Sha. Angela is working towards learning more about the Gillispie Craniosacral Facial Therapy starting in November 2025.
Angela opened Central Virginia OMT LLC in 2020 and has been helping clients overcome their own myofunctional disorders.
Angela served as Director of Operations for Airway Circle, where she dedicated several years to advancing professional education and community engagement. She has delivered international lectures to dentists on airway health and myofunctional therapy, and provides ongoing training to dental offices and academic institutions. Her work emphasizes equipping dental hygiene students and dental teams with the skills to identify signs and symptoms of myofunctional disorders and implement appropriate referral and care pathways.
Angela offers virtual and in-office myofunctional therapy, with Central Virginia OMT LLC. She works tirelessly to collaborate with local, domestic, and international medical and healthcare professionals to ensure each client receives optimal care for total health and well-being, throughout their therapy program.
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Dental hygienists are uniquely positioned to be the first line of defense in identifying airway-related issues during routine dental visits. This presentation explores how airway health can be assessed through careful observation of symptomatology revealed in the dental chair and how those findings can shape the conversation when the dentist performs the exam. Attendees will learn to recognize airway risk factors, understand their clinical and systemic significance, and enhance collaboration with the DDS and the entire healthcare team. By sharpening their skills in airway assessment and communication, hygienists can expand their impact beyond oral health to whole-body health.
Three Learning Points
1. Identify why airway-related findings require interdisciplinary collaboration. Participants will receive a re-cap from 'Part One' lecture, and learn to recognize key signs and symptoms of airway dysfunction observed during dental hygiene assessments and understand why these findings indicate the need for further evaluation by medical or allied health professionals.
2. Determine who to refer to for comprehensive patient care. Learners will explore who within the healthcare network-such as ENT's, sleep physicians, myofunctional therapists, SLP's, orthodontists, or physical therapists - can address specific airway concerns, and how to build effective referral pathways for optimal patient outcomes.
3. Explain why timely referral and communication are essential to whole-body health. Attendees will understand why early identification and collaboration among providers improve patient quality of life, prevent progression of systemic conditions, and strengthen the dental hygienist's role as an integral part of the airway-centered care team.
To register and pay online go to: https://vdha.wildapricot.org/event-6441987
Please register by Friday, February 6, 2026 (ONLY CREDIT / DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED)
*Use the same email address you registered with for the day of the event.
Course Fee: ADHA / VDHA Member - $15.00
Current SCADHA Member - FREE
Non ADHA Member - $30.00
Earn (1) CE credit hour by attending this event in its entirety.
No refund for cancellation one week prior to course date. Course will begin promptly at posted time. Northwest Dental Hygienists' Component is an approved course provider by the Virginia Board of Dentistry.
If you have any questions, contact:
Susan Daugherty, BS, RDH
Northwest Dental Hygienists' Component, CE Chairperson
Email - Flossy3511@aol.com
