Looking back spring 2015, at the College of Health Sciences, Dental Hygiene students reflected upon excelling through challenging exams and being recognized for community efforts.

Program preparation for the certification exam assists students

• Chelsie Smith, AS-Dental Hygiene, wrote Dr. Katherine Woods that she took her written certification exam and felt well prepared. She says she is thankful she paid close attention in pathology class and that the course exams were rigorous.  Chelsie said, “I know very well that I would not have felt the way I do not had it not been for you. Thank you for being hard, thank you for expecting a lot from us, and thank you for your caliber of education … I’ve passed, and I had every tool necessary to get there. Thank you for what you do, I hope you continue to teach and heighten the standards of dental hygiene.”
• Chelsie Smith, AS-Dental Hygiene, took the certification examination and told instructor Amy Krueger that out of the 350 questions, there were only about three questions she struggled to answer. She said, “I was getting super anxious about the test but looking back, I felt like I knew SO much!….(Ms. Krueger has) always been so helpful and dedicated to help us learn and succeed.… thank you for your caliber of education….I hope you continue to teach and heighten the standards of dental hygiene. Thank you so much.”

Students recognized for community efforts for dental health promotion

• Catherine Bersell, BAS-Dental Hygiene, received an award from the American Association of Public Health Dentistry for her outstanding efforts in community dental health promotion. This certificate is a national award and is for the student demonstrating “Special Interest and Achievement in Community Dentistry and Dental Public Health”.  As part of her practicum in the Dental Hygiene Capstone course, Catherine developed an oral health program at Mathew’s Hope—a homeless shelter in Winter Garden, Fla. She worked individually with each client, providing oral screenings with referrals, educational presentations, and essential dental products and supplies to all her clients.
• BAS-Dental Hygiene graduate Sarah Coleman was featured in the recent issue of RDH Spotlight, a national newsletter. Read the article. Seeing our institution credited for her education and having our graduate recognized for her commitment to the profession is great publicity. Congratulations Dental Hygiene faculty and staff; you should feel very proud about what you do for our students and the professionalism you instill in them.

• Dr. Katherine Woods and her A.S. Dental Hygiene team raised $795 in the “Save the Face Race” for the Oral Cancer Foundation. She was joined by dental hygiene students and graduates for this community service event.
• A.S. Dental Hygiene faculty members Amy Krueger and Dr. Katherine Woods acted as clinical directors for the Healthy Athletes – Special Smiles in March at the Special Olympics. They were joined by graduates and students to help with oral screenings for the athletes.
• Krueger and the Dental Hygiene students were featured in a recent issue of the Pinellas Park Beacon about their ongoing efforts to provide screening and sealant services in a local elementary school. As you may recall, the Rotary Club provided equipment needed for this project conducted as a part of the community course.