Upon returning from a mission trip in Bolivia, Ashley Wolf was asked to share her experience with a class of dental hygiene students.  Before getting to that topic, she asked the students why they chose dental hygiene as a career.  Answers ranged from “I want to help others” to “the pay is good”.  Ashley went on to confide that her reason for choosing the career was, well, a bit different.  Growing up, Ashley and her family spent many a sunny weekend participating in community festivals and parades as the Sky High Guys Professional Stilt Walkers.  Her stilt walking career began at the age of 3.  In fact, everyone in her family is a stilt walker except her mom who does all of the behind the scenes work.  For 20+ years, Ashley’s Dad held the Guinness World Record for walking on stilts that were 40’ 9 ½ “ tall!  The record was finally broken in 1998 when her brother Travis ascended stilts that were 40’ 10 ¼ “ in height!  As a performer at these events, Ashley met many of the carnival workers or “carnies”.  She recognized that quite a few of the carnies had very poor oral health.  This had a great impact on her and it lead her to want to help others enjoy a healthy mouth and dental hygiene was the way for her to do that. 

Ashley grew up in Spencer, WI.  She attended dental hygiene school at CVTC and was the Student Government Representative for her class as well as the recipient of the prestigious Hu Friedy Golden Scaler Award.  Her first dental hygiene job was in Hudson.  She recently relocated back to her home in Spencer and will be married this September.  Her new job is in Marshfield.  When asked about her work experience she stated that “getting to know her patients has been a favorite part of the job”.  Saying good bye to the many special relationships she made while in Hudson was hard.  She has received cards and letters from quite a few of her patients.

In March of 2008, Ashley participated as a dental volunteer for a mission trip to Bolivia.  The dental conditions of the people in Bolivia were much different from what she was used to here in WI.  She and her coworkers provided dental care some days without access to water and her lap was often the dental chair the children rested in.  This experience made her realize how much we take for granted, such as water, food, and shelter. 

At this time Ashley is 2 classes away from completing her BS degree in Dental Hygiene from Mankato State University.  She hopes to blend her desire to teach with her love of dental hygiene in the future.  Ashley has also accepted the position of WDHA Student Liaison and says she enjoys “the interaction with the students as well as the faculty”.