Kathleen M. Elder, RDH, COM

Orofacial myofunctional therapy has developed into its own professional entity through a certification process available to dental hygienists, speech pathologists and allied health care professionals through the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM). 

Introducing:  Kathleen M. Elder, RDH, COM

Kathleen has worked in private practice as an orofacial myofunctional therapist since 2003.  She attained her IAOM Certification in 2008, becoming the first Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM) in the State of Kansas and the Greater Kansas City area.  Her practice “Digits and Spots” works exclusively in treating orofacial myofunctional disorders.

Kathleen has been a KS licensed registered dental hygienist (RDH) since 1980. Through the years she has practiced clinical dental hygiene in various dental settings including general, periodontal, and orthodontic practices.  Kathleen serves presently as the dental hygiene team member of both the KU Medical Center Cleft Palate and Cerebral Palsy Clinics.

Her OMT credentials include courses with many of the experts in the field.  Rose Van Norman was her first clinical course instructor, and is considered the “guru” of digit sucking succession.   Kathleen has extended her studies to include Craniosacral Therapy (CST).