Resume & Curricula Vitae






Education *Master of Arts, California State University, Sacramento (December 2008)* Concentration: Health Communication, Instructional Communication, and Intercultural Communication Applied Communication Project title: Teeth, Talk, & TLC: A Communication Handbook for Dental Hygienists Project committee: Mark R. Stoner, Ph.D. (Chair); Marlene M. von Friederichs-Fitzwater, Ph.D, M.P.H.; S. David Zuckerman, Ph.D. Bachelor of Arts, San Jose State University, (December, 2001) Major: Communication Studies Degree focus: Health Communication, Intercultural Minor: Health Professions Registered Dental Hygienist (June, 1973) Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene, Foothill College (May, 1973) Courses Taught Undergraduate Introduction to Public Speaking (California State University, Sacramento, ComS-4) Presentational Speaking in the Organization (California State University, Sacramento, ComS-103) Professional degree (continuing education) Becoming Cultured: Understanding a Variety of Values, Views, and Voices (Academy of Comprehensive Aesthetics) Listen and You Shall Hear (Academy of Comprehensive Aesthetics) Tap Dance: Nonverbal Communication in the Dental Office It Takes Two to Tango: It’s All About the Relationship Se Habla Gobbledygook? Caring for Low Health Literacy (LHL) and Limited English Proficient (LEP) Patients Academic Employment Graduate Teaching Associate, California State University, Sacramento, Department of Communication Studies (2004, 2006, 2008) Graduate Research Associate, San Jose State University, Department of Communication, Intercultural Contact Study (2002-2003) Research Experience *Periodical Publications* The Tap Dance of Communication, August, 2002, RDH Magazine Becoming Cultured, September, 2003, RDH Magazine Follow the Leader, September, 2006, RDH Magazine Bringing Patient Education into Full Bloom, February 2007, RDH Magazine (coauthored with Ann-Marie DePalma, RDH, BDd, FAADH) Finding Our Footing In the Ocean, May 2007, RDH Magazine Touch Teaches: Children and Dental Touch, October 2007, Sunstar Butler GUMLine Newsletter Talking on Eggshells, January 2009, RDH Magazine (coauthored with Winnie Furnari, RDH, BS, MS, FAADH) The Magic of Words, Winter 2009, Journal of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association Conference Papers/Presentations Adams, T. S. (2005). The outcomes of orality and the legacies of literacy in constructivist education. Paper presented at the National Communication Association Conference, San Antonio, Texas. November 2006. Adams, T. S. (2006). Oral culture: Intercultural communication competence among dental hygienists. Paper presented at the National Communication Association Conference, San Antonio, Texas. November 2006. Adams, T. S. (2005). Singular people: Using Kleinman’s questions to understand solocultures in health interviews. Paper presented at the National Communication Association Conference, Boston, Massachusetts. November 2005. Adams, T. S. (2005). Singular people: Using Kleinman’s questions to understand solo-cultures in health interviews. Paper presented at the Western States Communication Association Conference, San Francisco, California. February 2005. *Research Projects* Adams, T. S. (2005). Oral culture: Intercultural communication competence among dental hygienists. Unpublished manuscript, California State University at Sacramento. Survey of practicing dental hygienists regarding their training in intercultural communication and its relationship with their comfort and confidence when working with a diverse clientele. Pilot project completed 2005. Expanded project 2008-2010 Adams, T. S. (2006). A very small bug with a big red head: Intercultural communication instruction in United States Dental Hygiene Programs. Unpublished manuscript, California State University at Sacramento. Survey of all of the approximately 250 United States dental hygiene programs regarding intercultural communication instruction in their programs. The study seeks to discern its prevalence, the amount of class time devoted to it, texts used, major topics covered, learning goals, and qualifications of the instructors. *Project in progress 2010-2011* Awards Sonicare RDH 2009 Mentor of the Year Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Society member National Communication Association, Competitive paper presenter, (November 2006) National Communication Association, Competitive paper presenter, (November 2005) Western States Communication Association, Health Communication Interest Group, Top Student Paper, (April 2006) ACEsthetics Dental Hygiene Star Search Speaking Competition, Listen and You Shall Hear, (April 2005) San Jose State University, Department of Communication Studies, Emeritus Faculty Award, Class of 2001-2002 San Jose State University, Communication Studies Laboratory, Outstanding Tutor, (May 2002) San Jose State University, President’s Scholar, (May 2002) San Jose State University, President’s Scholar, (May 2001) San Jose State University, Department of Communication Studies, Honor Graduate Student (May 2001) Grants Academically Related Activities Travel Fund, California State University, Sacramento (2005, 2007) Student Academic Funds Grant, California State University, Sacramento (2005, 2007) Student Education Leadership Grant, California State University, Sacramento (2005) Academic Workshops Listen and you shall hear, Academy of Comprehensive Aesthetics (ACEsthetics) (April 2005) How to Talk So Your Doctor Will Listen, San Jose State University, COMM 80, (April 2002) How to Talk so your doctor will listen, San Jose State University, COMM 80, (March 2002) Getting the Job, Central County Occupational Center (CCOC) San Jose, CA (March 2002) Academic/Professional Service Subject Matter Expert for development of California Dental Hygiene law and ethics examinations, through Department of Consumer Affairs, Committee on Dental Auxiliaries, 2009 Participant in Amy’s List Hygiene Email Community (2003-current) UC Davis Cancer Center Council Advisory Committee (Spring 2006-current) Vice President, Sacramento Valley Dental Hygienists’ Association (2008-current) Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association, (2007-current) In-House Book Production Editor, Online Communication: Linking Technology, Identity, and Culture, San Jose State University (Fall 2000) Research Assistant to Rona Halualani, San Jose State University, (2002-2003) Performance Experience San Jose State University Forensics (2000-2001) Professional Affiliations Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Society Sacramento Valley Dental Hygienists’ Association California Dental Hygienists’ Association American Dental Hygienists’ Association National Communication Association International Listening Association Amy’s List Dental Hygiene Email Community