Meet the Instructors

Robyn Klose; RDH
Tammy Hughes; DAII
Pamela J. Morkunas; DAII
Sharma Helms; DAII
Heather Hughes; DAII
Crystal Octigan; RDH

Robyn Klose; RDH

Robyn is a founding partner of NC Dental U. She has over 13 years of dental experience. Robyn has worked as a Dental Assistant, Dental Receptionist and Clinic Coordinator in New York and Washington State before graduating in 1999 as an RDH. She is licensed in both North Carolina and New York. She has been practicing Dental Hygiene for 8 years and has been directly involved in practice management the past two years. She has traveled nationwide to further her dental education with Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies as well as Genr8tion Next. She is a proud member of the American Dental Hygiene Association. Robyn is always working to advance her knowledge in new science, research and technology training.

Robyn has combined all this acquired knowledge and personal experience to help create an inspired, effective, and motivational curriculum that refines the systems surrounding the patients total experience with a dental practice. 

Her extensive exposure to most forms of practice management and dental systems, as well as her strong focus on patient satisfaction, makes her a specialist in her field. She resides in Wake County with her husband and two sons.

Tammy Hughes; DAII

Tammy Hughes, founding Partner of NC Dental U, has enjoyed twelve years of career success in the dental industry.  She has worked in the capacity of DAII, Front Desk Receptionist, Manager and Consultant.  Her expertise is in New Practice and Team Development.   She is a motivated leader that instinctively understands the business of dentistry.  Tammy has successfully built staffed and coached new dental offices throughout North Carolina.  With extensive knowledge in all aspects of dental care, she has the business savvy and technical skill to lead any team to success!

A NC native, she resides in Wake County with her husband and two sons.

Pamela J. Morkunas; DAII

Pamela has over 15 years experience as a DA II. The past four years she has been in practice management. She has enjoyed consulting for new and upcoming Doctors opening their own practices.  She is always striving to continue her education and learns all of the newest technologies that are consistently changing in the dental field.  She has trained with the Panky Institute, The Las Vegas Institute for advanced Dental Studies, and the Great Lakes Education Center just to name a few.  She is a proud long time member of the Nation Dental Assisting Association.  Pamela's love of people, dentistry, and strong leadership skills, make her an asset to the dental field and any team.  A native to North Carolina, she resides in Wake county with her husband and beloved pets.

Sharma Helms; DAII

Sharma graduated from Wayne Community College in 1993 and is a DAII with over 15 years of dental experience.  She has worked extensively in all aspects of the dental profession from general dentistry, pediatrics, oral surgery and endodontics. 

Sharma has worked as a chairside assistant, clinical coordinator and served as a clinical manager for a multi-office practice. While there she acquired her OSHA certification for training clinical staff, along with writing training manuals to be used as training aids for the dental team.  Sharma is an outstanding leader and has a thorough understanding of how to develop a dynamic team and with many years of experience has molded her into an exceptional clinical instructor.

A NC native, she resides in Wayne County with her husband and two sons.

Heather Hughes; DAII

Heather Hughes is from Columbus NC. She has worked chairside in dentsitry for 5 years and enjoys every aspect of the dental field. Heather is a member of the American Dental Assisting Association. Her experiences include working in dental surgery and in a general practice in Raleigh NC. Heather is a full time office administrator as well as a full-time instructor for NC Dental U. She resides in Wake County. 

Crystal Octigan; RDH

Crystal graduated from Wayne Community College with an Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene in 2005.  She has been a Registered Dental Hygienist for 5 years and plans to continue in this profession for several years to come!   Crystal brings an added depth of knowledge to the Greenville Campus with specialties in Periodontal Disease and treatment, patient acceptance and education, and radiography. She is consistently seeking education advancement in her field and attends the Holiday Dental Conference in Charlotte, NC annually.  Crystal is an instructor in both the Dental Assistant Program and Radiology.  A Pitt County native, Crystal resides in Ayden, NC with her husband Don.