She has focused her research on ending tobacco use and has created a Web-based curriculum on the topic for dental hygiene students and other professionals. She has published her work in peer-reviewed literature, has collaborated with international partners to produce online textbook chapters and has presented her work locally, within the state, nationally and internationally. Davis earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from SIUC in 1978 and 1983 respectively and maintains her professional credentials as both a registered dental hygienist and a certified tobacco treatment specialist.