By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

“Letting others see Jesus in me is of the utmost importance, because I may be the only example of Christ they see” said Erin Hayes, registered dental hygienist for Dr. Ben Crunk. Hayes loves helping others whether they are an ill at ease dental patient, a co-worker, an acquaintance or a questioning child, Hayes is eager to be of service and encouragement.

Growing up attending First Baptist in Alabaster, Hayes now teaches a childrens Bible study for first through third grades.

“My son Will, age 5, has attended the K-3, K-4 and K-5 kindergarten program at First Baptist and my daughter Sara, age 5, will follow in his footsteps,” she said.

Believing that family values should be based on the word of God, Erin quotes from Deuteronomy 11:18-19: “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds…Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Hayes was born Erin George, second daughter of Corky and Patsy George. Montevallo High, the University of Montevallo and the Alabama Dental Hygiene Program led to her present position.

In 2002, she was married to Ben Hayes, who she had met two years before. She was originally employed as an assistant for Dr. Crunk in January 2004 and then earned her RDH license in 2006-2007.

“The favorite part of my job is helping people,” she said.

Nature lover Hayes has already visited the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Petrified Forest, Grand Tetons, Rocky Mountains and the Smoky Mountain National Park. She would love to add Yosemite, Sequoia and Glacier National Parks to that list.

“My main goal in life is to be the best wife and mother I can be. Anyone can be a dental assistant/hygienist but I am the only one who is a wife to my husband and a mother to my kids,” she said. “I hope 10 years from now it is not how successful I am at my career that will be the most important thing, but how successful I am in my home.”

Erin Hayes is striving to be the best wife, mother and Christian influence she can be.