Suann Gaydos was selected as the West Virginia University School of Dentistry Alumni Association’s Outstanding Alumnus for 2019. She is recognized for outstanding contributions to dentistry and for her accomplishments in West Virginia and nationally which have helped improve the dental profession and oral healthcare and education.
Suann was born in Beckley, W.Va., but her family moved to Morgantown when she was six, thus all of her early education was in Monongalia County. Suann even found a way to change her accent from a southern West Virginia girl to a northern West Virginia girl.
Suann started her hygiene career in 1984 when she began her studies at West Virginia University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in 1988. Shortly after graduation, Suann went on to graduate studies and completed her master’s degree from West Virginia University in 1994.
After working in private practice for a number of years, Suann turned her talents to education and became a faculty member at the WVU School of Dentistry Department of Dental Hygiene in 2008.
Over the last 11 years, Suann has been involved in so many areas of dentistry.
Suann has taught or directed 15 separate courses in the hygiene curriculum. She has presented 19 continuing education courses over the years. She is a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist and has been extensively involved with Dr. Susan Morgan in developing the first certified tobacco treatment training program at a dental school.
Suann has also been involved in the American Dental Hygiene Association, is a member of Sigma Phi Alpha dental hygiene honorary association and serves on the board of the dental school alumni association.
Four times, Suann has been selected by the hygiene students as the outstanding teacher of the year including this year.
Suann is married to Mark. They are the proud parents of Lexie and Will.