Mercedes VanDeWiele, MSDH, LDH

Mercedes VanDeWiele earned her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) from the University of South Dakota. After practicing full-time in the Twin Cities, she obtained her Master of Science in Dental Hygiene (MSDH) from the University of Minnesota.

Mercedes joined the University of Minnesota faculty in 2021, initially serving as a pre-clinical instructor in the Division of Periodontology before accepting a position within the Division of Dental Hygiene. Currently a Clinical Assistant Professor and didactic course director, she also serves as a Dental Hygiene Hospital Consultant at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center. In this role, she advances interdisciplinary models of inpatient care while supervising dental hygiene and dental therapy students during hospital rotations.

Her professional memberships include the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) and the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (NDPBRN). Outside the University, she continues to provide patient care at a private practice in St. Louis Park.

Flavin K, Paulson DR, VanDeWiele M, Evans M, Stull C. Oral Health Status and oral health-related quality of life among a convenience sample of individuals receiving inpatient psychiatric care: A retrospective cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health. 2025 Jul 9;25(1). doi:10.1186/s12903-025-06499-w

VanDeWiele MD, Hastings AM, Evans MD, O’Connell MS, Flynn PM. Using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to predict the behavioral intent of teledentistry utilization amongst United States adults. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare. 2023 Jul 24;31(2):286–96. doi:10.1177/1357633x231182405

December 2025: ADEA Short Talks - Teaching and Learning with Emerging Technology [Virtual].
“Addressing Access to Care: A Novel Interdisciplinary Telehealth Simulation with SPs”
Dr. Angela Hastings, M VanDeWiele

June 2025: Annual Outreach Division Review, Minneapolis, MN.
“Paging Dental Hygiene: “Elevating Dental Hygiene through Collaborative Practice”
M VanDeWiele

October 2024: M Health Fairview UMMC Internal Medicine Residents, Minneapolis, MN.
“The Role of the Dental Hygienist in the Hospital”
Dr. Cyndee Stull, K Flavin, M VanDeWiele

May 2024: MN Dental Hygiene Association TouchPoint Series, Minneapolis, MN.
“Bridging the Gap: Dental Hygienists as Key Players on the Hospital Care Team”
Dr. C Stull, K Flavin, M VanDeWiele

October 2023: Faculty Development, UMN School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, MN.
“School of Dentistry In-Patient Dental Hygiene Consult Service”
M VanDeWiele, K Flavin

June 2023: BIG10 Dental Dean’s Day, UMN School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, MN.
“Revolutionizing Healthcare with Interprofessional Education”
M VanDeWiele, K Flavin

December 2022: Minnesota Oral Health Coalition, Medical-Dental Integration Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
“Hospital Dental Hygienists: Essential Members of the Hospital Care Team”
Dr. C Stull, K Flavin, M VanDeWiele

• Interprofessional Education
• Medical-Dental Integration
• Hospital & Special Care Dentistry
• Teledentistry

National Dental Practice-Based Research Network

Minnesota Dental Hygiene Educator’s Association

Minnesota Oral Health Coalition

American Dental Hygienists’ Association

American Dental Education Association

School of Dentistry White Coat Ceremony Keynote Speaker, September 2025