Don’t Miss the 2015 ‘Six Dental Hygienists You Want To Know’

Dimensions of Dental Hygiene’s anticipated “Six Dental Hygienists You Want to Know” feature—sponsored by Procter & Gamble—makes its annual return this issue. Don’t miss this unique look into six facets of the dental hygiene profession—academia, clinical practice, industry, “mover and shaker,” public health, and research—from the perspectives of six noteworthy dental hygienists.

Honorees in the eighth annual Six Dental Hygienists You Want to Know include: Susan Lynn Tolle, BSDH, MS, professor in the Hirschfeld School of Dental Hygiene at Old Dominion University for academia; Darlene J. Swigart, RDH, BS, dental hygiene practitioner in Oceanside, California, for clinical practice; Gail Malone, RDH, BS, senior professional services manager for DENTSPLY Professional for industry; Katy Battani, RDH, MS, project manager of the Perinatal and Infant Oral Health Quality Improvement Program for the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and outreach coordinator for the Harford County Health Department for “mover and shaker;” Kathy Lituri, RDH, MPH, clinical instructor and oral health promotion director at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine for public health; and Hannah Maxey, PhD, MPH, RDH, assistant professor and director of health workforce studies at Indiana University School of Medicine for research. Click here to learn more about the unique paths of these outstanding oral health professionals, and find inspiration for your own career.

Colgate Recycling Program Raises Money For Those In Need

Split-bristle toothbrushes and empty toothpaste tubes are not trash—at least not anymore, thanks to the recycling project Colgate Oral Care Brigade, sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive Co in partnership with TerraCycle. Participation in the program is free and entails the collection and recycling of oral care product packaging. Collected items are sent to TerraCycle in Trenton, New Jersey, where they are recycled and reused in new products such as handbags, flowerpots, and fencing.

Currently, there are more than 24,400 collection locations throughout the United States. Recycled oral care packaging and brushes in shipments weighing 2 lbs or more earn one TerraCycle point. These points can be redeemed for charitable gifts, product bundles, or a payment of $0.01 per point to the nonprofit organization of the participant’s choice.

Dental and dental hygiene schools that partake in the Colgate Oral Care Brigade can apply TerraCycle points to help fund humanitarian mission trips, as well as to purchase supplies. Such involvement promotes awareness of the importance of recycling while raising money for worthy causes that promote access-to-care opportunities in the US and abroad. More information is available at: terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/colgate.html.

Oral Health America Honors The Life of Robert Klaus, PhD

Members of the Oral Health America (OHA), dental, and public health communities recently gathered to celebrate the life and leadership of Robert Klaus, PhD, former OHA president and chief executive officer. Hundreds gathered on October 24 to honor and mourn the loss of Klaus, who dedicated more than 20 years to advocating for vulnerable populations.

Klaus played a pivotal role at OHA from 1988 to 2008, during which time he fostered dialogue about the oral/systemic health link and the need to improve access to dental care in the United States. He oversaw many campaigns dedicated to spreading these messages—most notably Smiles Across America and the National Spit Tobacco Education Project. In 1994, Klaus led the charge to include public advocacy as a focus for OHA. His early vision to erase inequalities in access to oral health care was never derailed, as he worked tirelessly to close this gap until retiring in 2008.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. December 2015;13(12):15.