News
AWARD WINNERS
Crest Oral-B/Esther Wilkins Future Leader Award
Nikki Ulasek Benjamin, RDH BS
Nikki will receive this prestigious award at Annual Session June 21, 2008 in Albuquerque, NM
She completed her BS in Biology at Southwest Texas State University in May 1999. She is a graduate of UTHSCSA having finished her Certificate of Dental Hygiene in May 2003. She started working towards her Master’s degree at Texas State University – San Marcos in the Fall of 2007.
Nikki became active in her local component just one month after graduation and has not stopped. She has served as Secretary of the Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association since 2005. She also serves as a member on many of TDHA’s Councils and Committees. In addition, she served as a TDHA Delegate (2003) and Alternate Trustee (2004).
2008 Discus Dental/ADHA Distinguished Service Award
Sandy Tesch, RDH, BS, MPH
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has named Sandy Tesch, RDH, BS, MPH of Austin, TX, as a recipient of the 2008 Discus Dental/ADHA Distinguished Service Award. She will be honored during the opening ceremonies at ADHA’s 85th annual session in Albuquerque, NM on June 21st.
This award is presented to ADHA members who have provided exemplary service to ADHA, its constituents, and its components. Each winner has a minimum of 10 years of ADHA active membership and association leadership, has advanced the art and science of dental hygiene through service to the association, and was nominated by their constituent.
ADHA and Procter & Gamble 2008 Dental Hygiene Educator of the Year Award
Mary Jacks, RDH, MS
Nominated by her peers and a former student, Mary characterizes excellence in teaching, mentoring, and/or devotion to student achievement. Mary is an assistant professor at the University of Texas, Health Science Center at San Antonio, and a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. As recipient of the Educator of the Year Award, Mary will also be recognized at the ADHA Annual Session in Albuquerque, NM in June.
TDA CERTIFICATE OF MERIT AWARD
Jennifer Reimer, RDH, BS
Jennifer Reimer, Curriculum Development Subcommittee Member and Train the
Trainer Instructor with the Tarrant County Children’s Oral Health Coalition received the Certificate of Merit Award at TDA Annual Session in San Antonio in May. Jennifer is a member of the Greater Fort Worth Dental Hygienists’ Society.
PUBLISHED
Harold Henson, RDH PhD
April, 2008 edition Access Journal
The Doctorate in Dental Hygiene: Has Its Time Come?
Harold A. Henson, RDH, PhD(c) is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics in the School of Dental Hygiene at The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. He has held numerous leadership positions at the national, state and local dental hygiene levels. He has served on the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) Councils on Education and Member Services. He is currently on ADHA’s Access Editorial Advisory Board.
Rene`Stephenson, RDH, BSDH
RDH Magazine, March 2008
Causes of Xerostomia
Rene Stephenson, RDH, BSDH has been a clinical dental hygienist for 22 years. Rene has served as Texas Dental Hygienists? Association vice-president and various council chairs. In 2006, she began a degree completion program at East Tennessee State University, which she completed in May 2008. For information about courses she presents, visit www.TexasEducationalConcepts.com
Attention
Texas Dental Hygienists
The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners has adopted an amendment requiring that a retired dental hygienist who has not actively practiced for at least two years complete twenty-four, rather than twelve, hours of continuing education in the year preceding application for reinstatement of a license. This is already the standard for retired dentists in Texas. The amendment became effective February 24, 2008.