Hygiene Tribune U.S. Edition

HYGIENE TRIBUNE The World’s Dental Hygiene Newspaper ·U.S. Edition February 2014 — Vol. 7, No. 2 www.dental-tribune.com Crest Oral-B to name final ‘Pros in the Profession’ Three standout hygienists already honored In the third year of its Pros in the Pro- fession awards program, Crest + Oral-B is recognizing four outstanding registered dental hygienists who demonstrate ex- cellent patient care, a passion for the profession and a dedication to learning. The award acknowledges the pivotal role these hygienists play in their pa- tients’ lives — and their unwavering per- sonal commitment to promoting good oral health in their communities. “We have seen extraordinary entries over the past several years, which is why we must continue to honor those hygien- ists whose passion shine through in their everyday work,” said John Scarchilli, global scientific communications direc- tor, Procter & Gamble Oral Care. “These individuals dedicate countless hours to furthering the oral health cause, so we are pleased to be able to applaud them publicly.” Three winners have already been named: Michelle Vacha, Heather Steich and Mallory Edmondson — and a fourth winner will be named soon. While earn- ing the honor in her own unique way, each winner shares the same devotion to promoting and participating in good oral care for patients: Michelle Vacha, RDH, BS, received her degrees from Northern Arizona Univer- sity and has been practicing in Colorado Springs, Colo., for the past 24 years. “I am so honored to be receiving this award,” said Vacha about being named a winner for year three. “I am hoping the attention from it will bring awareness to the public and other hygienists who care for older adults. Through my work, I help seniors deal with specific health factors they face due to lack of dental sup- port. We want to ensure that all of the good work that has been done to main- tain oral health throughout life is also preserved once insurance is no longer available through retirement or fixed income.” Heather Steich, RDH, received her de- gree at the University of the Pacific, Ar- thur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, and has been practicing in San Francisco for the past five years. “I will be taking my second oral health service/mission trip to Honduras this year,” said Steich about winning $1,000. “Last year I used my own funds for the trip, but this year I plan on using the award toward the ex- penses of the trip. In effect, the award will be going back to the community I love to serve!” Mallory Edmondson, RDH, BS, received her degrees from Indiana University South Bend for her BSDH, and is current- ly at the University of Bridgeport Fones School of Dental Hygiene for her MSDH. She has been practicing in Merrillville, Ind., for the past two years. “My favorite aspect of dental hygiene is the limitless opportunities available within the pro- fession,” said Edmondson about being an RDH. “We are educators, managers, prac- titioners and much more. Hygienists are able to adapt to any given situation and apply their knowledge and skill sets far beyond the dental chair.” About Pros in the Profession Crest + Oral-B is rewarding four RDH winners with an enhanced prize of: • An all-expense paid trip to visit the Procter & Gamble German Innovation Center at Kronberg, Germany • A $1,000 monetary prize • A recognition plaque • Recognition in dental periodicals and announcements on Crest + Oral-B for Dental Professionals Facebook page and www.dentalcare.com. Each year Crest + Oral-B looks for new ways to enhance the program, and for the first time this year, hygienists could nominate themselves for the honor. Nominations could also be submitted by dentists, fellow hygienists, dental as- sistants, professional colleagues and col- legiate colleagues conveying why their nominee is a Pro in the Profession. Addi- tionally, Crest + Oral-B has been at dental conventions throughout the year where applications could be submitted, though nominations were primarily collected via the Crest + Oral-B for Dental Profes- sionals Facebook page. To have been considered for the pro- gram, nominees must have met the fol- lowing criteria: • RDHs with two years or more of clini- cal/professional experience after gradu- ation from dental hygiene school • RDHs who participate in community service • RDHs with examples of work that goes above and beyond the call of duty To learn more about Pros in the Pro- fession, visit prosintheprofession.com or facebook.com/professionalcrestoralb. For information about Crest + Oral-B prod- ucts and resources, visit the updated www.dentalcare.com website. (Source: Procter & Gamble Co.) ADHA backs oral health program that serves primary care providers The American Dental Hygienists’ Asso- ciation’s board of trustees has announced its formal endorsement of the Smiles for Life Oral Health Curriculum. Smiles for Life provides free online resources to pri- mary care providers with the mission of promoting oral health as a vital compo- nent of overall health. ADHA supports this resource, recognizing that the free curriculum offers opportunities for cli- nicians to learn about and prioritize oral health as well as to partner effectively with each other. Since 2005, Smiles for Life has grown into the most comprehensive oral health curriculum available to primary care pro- fessionals, offering courses free of charge thanks to the National Interprofessional Initiative on Oral Health (NIIOH). With courses on child, adult and geriatric health, oral care during pregnancy, and proactive risk management, the program strives to offer informed and relevant information in a format that is easily di- gestible and accessible across multiple platforms. Today, the curriculum has been incor- porated into many residency programs across the nation. Tens of thousands of physicians, nurses, physician assistants and other professionals have used the ma- terials to enrich their clinical understand- ing of oral health issues and form part- nerships for the benefit of their patients. The curriculum also enables a wider network of health professionals to access quality oral health information and edu- cation at no cost. This greater awareness has the potential for increased collabora- tion between health professionals and, ul- timately, improved oral health outcomes for the public. “ADHA understands how essential col- laborative partnerships are to linking oral health and total health,” said ADHA President Dr. Denise Bowers. “Smiles for Life gives current and future health care professionals a strong foundation in oral care and is committed to maintaining relevancy in a changing health care land- scape.” ADHA joins the numerous organiza- tions that have endorsed the efforts of Smiles for Life, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dental Association, the Society of Teach- ers of Family Medicine and the American Academy of Family Physicians. (Source: ADHA) Michelle Vacha, RDH Heather Steich, RDH Mallory Edmondson, RDH Chicago BOOTHs 2402 & E107 Pros in the Profession year-three winners