Dental Tribune U.S. Edition

HYGIENE TRIBUNE The World’s Dental Hygiene Newspaper ·U.S. Edition January 2014 — Vol. 7, no. 1 www.dental-tribune.com ” See AWARDS, page C2 Still time to earn Pros in the Profession honor Final year three standout dental hygienist to be honored by Crest Oral-B for devotion to oral health care YDC BOOTH NO. 1006 Crest® Oral-B® continues to recognize registered dental hygienists who go above and beyond the call of duty — with the third year of the Pros in the Profession awards program. These awards acknowledge the pivotal role hy- gienists play in their patients’ lives in ad- dition to their unwavering personal com- mitment to promoting good oral health. “We have seen extraordinary entries over the past several years, which is why we must continue to honor those hygien- ists whose passion shines through in their everyday work,” said John Scarchilli, glob- al scientific communications manager for P&G Oral Care. “These individuals dedi- cate countless hours to furthering the oral health cause, so we are pleased to be able to applaud them publicly.” Two winners have been named thus far for the Pros in the Profession year three award, Michelle Vacha, from Colorado Springs, Colo., and Heather Steich, from San Fran- cisco. “I am one hygienist who has been able to make a difference,” says Vacha.“Ichallenge all hygienists to be passionate and think outside of the box. I have been able to bring full dental ser- vices to people who haven’t had dental care in years — and make them happy, healthy members of society once again. The incred- ible, professional and fun team I have has brought back validity and con- fidence to the dental experience.” In March, Crest Oral-B will identify one last exceptional RDH who consistently displays dedication toward both his or her patients and the profession. The win- ner will receive: • An all-expense paid trip to visit the Procter & Gamble German Innovation Center in Kronberg, Germany. • A $1,000 monetary prize • A recognition plaque • Recognition in dental periodicals and announcements on the Crest Oral-B for Dental Professionals Facebook page and on www.dentalcare.com. Nominees must be: • RDHs with two years or more of clini- cal/professional experience after gradua- tion from dental hygiene school. • RDHs who participate in community service. • RDHs with examples of work that goes above and beyond the call of duty. “My proudest professional accom- plishment was when I stepped out of my comfort zone and traveled to Honduras for a dental volunteer trip,” said Pros in the Profession winner year three Steich. “Our group provided dental services for over 1,400 school-aged children, some of whom had never received previous dental care. It was a hum- bling and person- ally rewarding accomplishment. My favorite part of the profession is that I have the op- portunity to make a positive impact on people every day.” Nominations for dental hygienists who meet the above cri- teria can be submitted via a nomination tab on the Crest Oral-B for Dental Profes- sionals Facebook page. For the first time in the program, hy- gienists may nominate themselves for the honor. Nominations also can be submit- ted by fellow colleagues conveying why their nominee is a Pro in the Profession. Additionally, Crest Oral-B will be pres- ent at Yankee Dental Congress in Boston, from Jan. 29–Feb. 1, in booth No. 1006 in the exhibit hall, accepting applications on site. “It is an honor as a previous recipient of ADHA supports FTC’s input on dental therapy education FTC recommends standards that do not unnecessarily constrain states’ ability to set scope of dental therapy The American Dental Hygienists’ As- sociation (ADHA) has issued a statement of support of the recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) action that provided written comments to the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) on proposed standards for dental therapy education programs. ADHA Executive Director Ann Battrell said, “ADHA advocacy efforts to increase access for oral health care across the coun- try, coupled with our efforts to expand the workforce with dental-hygiene-based mid-level oral health care providers, pro- vided the impetus for our ongoing com- munications with the FTC. (FTC chairman Edith) Ramirez is to be commended for her commitment to promote competi- tion in the oral health care industry for the benefit of consumers.” Battrell’s com- ments came after she and ADHA Direc- tor of Governmental Affairs Ann Lynch, ADHA Director of Education and Research Pamela Steinbach and ADHA Washington Counsel Karen Sealander (of McDermott, Will & Emery) met with Ramirez. With recognition that Minnesota has developed mid-level oral health provid- ers and noting that a number of state legislatures have legislation pending or planned to create similar programs, the FTC provided 15 pages of written com- ments to CODA. The comments noted that the proposed dental therapy standards’ effectiveness may be limited by unnec- essary statements on supervision, evalu- ation and treatment planning. The FTC comments included the recommendation that CODA develop standards that do not unnecessarily constrain the discretion of states to determine dental therapy scope of practice and authority. The FTC comments raised concern that the draft standards do not fully address the accreditation needs in Minnesota and, as proposed, could hinder competition. CODA is scheduled to meet on Jan. 30 at the ADA offices in Chicago, at which time it is expected to further deliberate on the proposed standards for dental therapy education programs. About the American Dental Hygienists’ Association The American Dental Hygienists’ Associa- tion is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of more than 150,000 dental hygienists across the country. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, li- censed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic ser- vices that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. For more information about ADHA, dental hygiene and the link between oral health and general health, visit www.adha.org. (Source: ADHA, Oral Health America) Crest Oral-B Pros in the Profession Winners for year two: Kasha Lower, RDH; Olga Torres, RDH; Donna Caminiti, RDH; Hayley Wood Klauer, RDH; Kareen Wilson, RDH; Julie Kroeker, RDH. Photos/Provided by Crest Oral-B Michelle Vacha, Pros in the Profession winner, year three. Heather Steich, Pros in the Profession winner, year three.