University of Maryland Educators Receive Hero Award
Two University of Maryland School of Dentistry faculty members received the Kathy Lyter Oral Health Hero Award.
Two University of Maryland School of Dentistry faculty members received the Kathy Lyter Oral Health Hero Award, presented by the Maryland Dental Action Coalition, during the Maryland Oral Health Summit in December 2013. Sheryl Syme, RDH, MS, an associate professor in the Division of Dental Hygiene and director of the degree completion program, and Leila Liberman, RDH, BS, a clinical instructor in the Department of Periodontics, received the award for their dedication to the Special Olympics Special Smiles program.
Together, Syme and Liberman have developed screening, educational, and preventive oral health programs for the Special Olympics for more than 17 years. Under their leadership and direction, the Special Smiles program has expanded to offer many services, including fluoride varnish application, fabrication of sports mouthguards, and promotion of oral health through the dissemination of self-care products.
In addition, the program brings together University of Maryland School of Dentistry students and faculty, local oral health professionals, and members of dental hygiene associations who work collaboratively to deliver services to a growing number of patients with disabilities each year.
From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. April 2014;12(4):12.
