At the Center for TMJ & Sleep Apnea in Lee’s Summit, we are proud to have Natalie Foley as part of our team. As both a Registered Dental Hygienist and an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist, Natalie brings a unique blend of clinical expertise, advanced training, and a compassionate approach to patient care.
Natalie’s work goes beyond basic oral health—she helps patients improve breathing, sleep, and overall wellness through preventive care and personalized therapy programs. With her background in dental hygiene, teaching, and psychology, Natalie is dedicated to guiding patients toward healthier habits, stronger function, and long-term solutions that support everyday life.
Natalie
Dental Hygienist | Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist
Natalie Foley is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist at the Center for TMJ and Sleep Apnea, where she is dedicated to helping patients achieve healthier smiles, stronger oral function, and improved overall wellness. In her role, Natalie provides both preventive dental care and individualized myofunctional therapy programs designed to address challenges such as sleep apnea, noxious oral habits, nasal breathing, tongue posture, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). She takes pride in creating a supportive, approachable environment where patients feel understood and empowered to take charge of their health.
Natalie’s professional journey began in dental assisting where she earned her expanded functions she then pursued her degree in dental hygiene, where she quickly developed a passion for patient education and advanced clinical care. She spent more than six years teaching clinical dental hygiene, guiding students in both technical skills and patient-centered care. Her experience in education continues to influence her work today, as she takes time to explain treatment approaches and help patients build lasting, healthy habits.
She is laser certified and has a deep interest in the use of laser and ozone therapies, which she integrates into her work to expand treatment options and improve patient outcomes. Natalie is especially passionate about connecting the dots between oral health, breathing, sleep, and overall well-being, helping patients find long-term solutions to chronic issues that impact daily life.
A graduate of her dental hygiene program as class valedictorian, Natalie also holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a background that enriches her ability to understand and support the behavioral side of care. This unique blend of science, education, and psychology allows her to approach her patients with both expertise and compassion.
Outside of her clinical work, Natalie is continually learning and expanding her knowledge in the fields of airway health, noxious habit elimination, and functional therapies. She is dedicated to staying at the forefront of continuing education and innovative treatment methods to better serve her patients and community.
