Sherri M. Lukes

RDH, MS, FAADH

Biography

Sherri M. Lukes, RDH, MS, FAADH, has been a dental hygienist for 41 years and holds advanced degrees in education. She is associate professor emerita, Southern Illinois University, where she taught oral pathology, public health and multicultural dental hygiene. Research was concentrated in migrant oral health, oral pathology and public health issues, resulting in multiple peer reviewed publications. Sherri enjoys integrating her years of experience into CE courses to empower dental professionals in the process of care. She is an approved speaker of and holds a pathology fellowship in the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, is a past president of the Illinois Dental Hygienists’ Association, and a member of the American Academy of Oral Medicine. Community service includes biannual, yearly trips to central/southern Mexico, delivering preventive care in an orphanage and remote villages. Honors include Community Service, Research, and Teacher of the Year awards while at SIU, IFLOSS Coalition/ Illinois Department of Public Health Oral Health Champion Award and the Sunstar/RDH Award of Distinction.

Testimonials

"Best live CE I have attended since I began in 2014! The speaker is very engaging which makes the class fun."

— Kortnie P. RDA (San Antonio, TX)

"Sherri Lukes was so enthusiastic, knowledgeable and engaging. Course greatly exceeded my expectations. Great slides and anecdotes! Great Book with color slides. Impressive research credentials"

— Pam K. DDS (San Antonio, TX)

"Sherri, thank you for sharing your knowledge + delivering it with such enthusiasm. Your material is very interesting!"

— Marissa G. RDH (Austin, TX)

"Clear and concise, especially loved the story about her parents."

— Webinar Attendee

"Practical knowledge about real-world situations presented."

— Webinar Attendee

Upcoming Seminars & Webinars

Inside Out: Perio-Systemic Links and Associated Oral Pathologies

This evidence-based course examines several chronic health conditions, and the role pathogenic oral bacteria play in disease pathophysiology. Oral pathologies that develop from either the condition itself or pharmacologic agents utilized in treatment will be explored, engaging participants in differential diagnoses during case presentations.

Thursday, Sep 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time (NY)

Going Viral: Oral Manifestations of Viral Diseases

This live webinar will be an evidence-based presentation of various viral infections that produce symptoms in and around the oral cavity, including lesions from human papillomavirus infections, the herpes family of viruses (HSV, EBV, VZV), coxsackie virus, and the human immunodeficiency virus.

Tuesday, Oct 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time (NY)

Oral Pathology and the Assessment Process: It’s Risky Business

This live webinar will review the assessment portion of the dental hygiene process of care, specifically in relation to oral pathology and lesion detection. The range of descriptors for lesions and anomalies will be presented with lesion examples for each descriptor.

Thursday, Dec 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time (NY)

Open Wide and Look Inside: Oral Anomalies and Pathologies in Children and Adolescents

This live presentation will provide an overview of anomalies/pathologies that may present in the oral cavity of young patients through adolescence, presented in a fun and engaging manner.

Thursday, Nov 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time (NY)

On demand courses

Down and Out or Down and About? Raising Awareness of Mental Health Issues in Dentistry

A plethora of mental health issues plague our society today and the dental community is not immune. Dental professionals encounter multiple stressors in the workplace which may result in significant anxiety, depression, and other emotional outcomes. The knowledge obtained in this course can be utilized in personal as well as patient care for achieving whole body health in ourselves and our patients.

End to End: GI Tract Pathologies and their Oral Manifestations

This pre-recorded course will encompass a journey through the tract, beginning in the oropharynx with an overview of HPV induced oropharyngeal cancer. Next stop will be the esophagus, examining gastroesophageal reflux disorder and its effects on the oral cavity. The final stops will be in the intestines with a synopsis of the inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis) and hereditary intestinal polyposis (Peutz Jegher’s syndrome).

From the Cradle to the Grave: Oral Pathology Through the Life Span

This pre-recorded course is an overview of oral pathologic conditions affecting children/adolescents, adults and geriatric clients. It includes both common and uncommon conditions presented in an engaging format. This course can serve as an excellent update for seasoned hygienists/dentists or a relevant review for new graduates entering the field.

The Sky Isn’t Falling! The Profile of HPV Oral Lesions

This self-study course will present the various oral manifestations of HPV including squamous papilloma, focal epithelial hyperplasia (Heck’s disease), condyloma acuminatum, verruca vulgaris and HPV induced oropharyngeal cancer.

I See Your True Colors Shining Through: Cultural Diversity Training for Dental Professional

This pre-recorded webinar will present cultural diversity issues, how dental professionals can become more culturally competent in the delivery of patient care and ways to use this knowledge for addressing access to care barriers among the population groups discussed.

You're Not Getting Older, You're Getting BETTER! Treating the Older Adult Dental Patient

This pre-recorded course contains current epidemiologic information about the population as well as conditions they experience and their implications for dental care.