Faculty Information
All Dental Assisting Faculty have offices in HS 107
Denise Rudy, RDA/CDA/EFDA/BA
Program Director/Associate Professor
760-744-1150 ext. 2571
drudy@palomar.edu
Denise Rudy has over 26 years experience in the dental field as a clinic director, an expanded function dental assistant, a registered dental assistant, a certified dental assistant, an oral surgery assistant, and as an office manager. She earned her EFDA license through Ohio State University and The Ohio Commission on Dental Testing. She has practiced dentistry in Cincinnati, Columbus, Key West, and Cape May.
She earned her Baccalaureate degree from California State University, San Marcos in Social Science. She was hired as the Program Director/Associate Professor of the RDA Program at Palomar College in 2003 after working part-time as an adjunct instructor at both San Diego Mesa College and Palomar College.
She is a member of the American Dental Assistants Association and the California Association of Dental Assisting Teachers. She has completed coursework in educational methodology at CSUSM and attended numerous continuing education classes over the past 13 years. She has done extensive research in infection control methods and dental materials, as well as participated in textbook review in those areas. She has completed a sabbatical in which she studied Spanish in an immersion program in Spain and Mexico. In her free time she enjoys traveling, nature, and taking classes in meditation and art.
Adelina Hernandez-Coria, RDA/CDA/BS
Registered Dental Assisting Program Associate Professor
760-744-1150 ext. 2524
ahernandezcoria@palomar.edu
Adelina Hernandez- Coria has over 25 years experience in the dental field. She graduated from the University Autonomous of Baja California (UABC) School of Dentistry in 1991 with a degree in Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). She completed one year of social service in the Fixed Prosthesis Laboratory School of Dentistry (UABC). In 1992, she was granted licensure in Mexico, where she practiced in Mexicali, Baja California for two years. Shortly after that she became a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) and practiced for ten years primarily in general dentistry private practices.
In 2002, she became a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). Ms. Hernandez-Coria has been an Associate Professor in the Dental Assisting Program for over 15 years. She has taught almost every course offered in the Dental Assisting Program. She is a member of the California Association of Dental Assisting Teachers, American Dental Assistants Association, and has completed coursework in teaching methodology at California State University, San Bernardino. In her free time she enjoys traveling and fitness.
Claudia Perkins, CDA/RDH/JD
Registered Dental Assisting Program Adjunct Instructor
760-744-1150 ext. 2571
cperkins@palomar.edu
Claudia Perkins began her career in the dental field in 1980 as a dental assistant. She graduated from Cerritos College Registered Dental Hygiene Program in 1984, and worked in dental offices as a dental assistant and registered dental hygienist. Her passion for dental health-care policy led her to earn her Baccalaureate degree from California State University, Fullerton with a degree in Political Science and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School. In addition, Ms. Perkins completed coursework in educational methodology at University of California, San Diego. As a certified dental assistant, registered dental hygienist and an attorney, Ms. Perkins brings vast experience in all aspects of dentistry to her students.
Ms. Perkins has been an adjunct instructor in the Registered Dental Assisting Program at Palomar College since 2009. Ms. Perkins prepares the students for the Law and Ethics Examination portion of the RDA Exam. She is a member of California Association of Dental Assisting Teachers, American Dental Assistants Association and the California Bar Association.
Ms. Perkins has a passion for community service and she volunteers with her students in the dental community. She enjoys sharing her love of dentistry with her students and believes in imparting to them the difference they can make in their patients’ dental care. Ms. Perkins other passions include camping with her family and practicing yoga.
Hedi Allen-Hydo BA/DDS
Registered Dental Assisting Program Adjunct Instructor
760-744-1150 ext. 2571
hallen-hydo@palomar.edu
Hedi Allen-Hydo became a Registered Dental Assistant at 18 years old. She work for her father, who was a dentist, while putting herself through college. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Developmental Psychology and Education from California State University, Chico. She worked as a dental office manager before deciding she wanted to become a dentist. She graduated with her doctorate degree from University of Pacific Dental School in 1993. While there, she met her husband Chris. Hedi practiced dentistry for seven years before deciding to stay home and raise her children. Her husband Chris has a local orthodontic practice in the San Diego area, where she works in different roles. Dr. Allen-Hydo started teaching at Palomar College in 2004. She is a member of the ADA and the CDA. She enjoys seeing Palomar students grow and learn to love a new career. In her free time, she enjoying painting with acrylics and oils, wine tasting, and watching her sons play lacrosse.
Jasmine Martin RDA/CDA
Registered Dental Assisting Program Adjunct Instructor
760-744-1150 ext. 2571
jmartin1@palomar.edu
Jasmine Martin has been in the dental field for over 12 years as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA). She graduated from Everest College Dental Assisting Program in 2008 and obtained her RDA license shortly after. She has worked in dental offices as a dental assistant, cosmetic dental assistant, oral surgery assistant, and office manager. Her love for dentistry stems from her younger years spent at her uncle’s dental office. He was a general dentist who owned a private practice in Tustin, California and was her family’s dentist for decades until he retired. He always encouraged her to explore his office, work in his laboratory, and pick his brain about everything dental. Hence, her passion for dentistry is deeply rooted and she enjoys sharing that passion with her students.
In 2017, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, San Marcos in Sociology with a concentration in Education. She completed coursework in teaching methodology and is always taking continuing education classes. In 2018, she became a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and was hired as an adjunct instructor at Palomar College. In her free time she enjoys being creative, active and traveling.