Ashley Lessard
About Ashley Lessard
Ashley Lessard serves as the Program Lead for Oral Health and Dental Therapy at the First Nations Health Authority, focusing on reducing oral health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Dental Science and a Master of Public Health from The University of British Columbia and has a background in marketing and children's oral health initiatives.
Work at First Nations Health Authority
Ashley Lessard has been serving as the Program Lead for Oral Health and Dental Therapy at the First Nations Health Authority since 2021. In this role, she focuses on advocating for Indigenous oral health and addressing disparities in oral health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in Canada. Prior to her current position, she worked as the Assistant Children's Oral Health Initiative Specialist at the same organization from 2019 to 2021, where she contributed to initiatives aimed at improving children's oral health.
Education and Expertise
Ashley Lessard holds a Bachelor of Dental Science, which she earned from The University of British Columbia between 2009 and 2013. She further advanced her education by obtaining a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the same institution, completing her studies from 2017 to 2020. Her educational background equips her with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct research and implement programs that enhance oral health in Indigenous communities.
Background
Ashley Lessard grew up in the Tla’amin Nation along the Sunshine Coast, an experience that shapes her advocacy for Indigenous health issues. Her upbringing in this community informs her understanding of the unique challenges faced by Indigenous peoples, particularly in relation to oral health. This background drives her commitment to reducing health disparities through targeted research and community engagement.
Research Interests
Ashley Lessard conducts research focused on improving oral health in Indigenous communities in British Columbia. Her work includes exploring community water fluoridation as a method to enhance oral health outcomes. Through her research, she aims to identify effective strategies to reduce oral health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, contributing to the overall well-being of Indigenous communities.
Previous Work Experience
Before her current role, Ashley Lessard worked as a Marketing Assistant at STEMCELL Technologies for six months in 2013 to 2014. This experience provided her with skills in marketing and communication, which she has since applied to her advocacy work in oral health. Her diverse professional background contributes to her effectiveness in promoting health initiatives and engaging with communities.