PRESS RELEASE STARTS BELOW--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Utah Dental Hygienists Association announces 2006-2007 Leadership
Salt Lake City, Utah – 16 Sept 2006 Alison Carlisi, RDH, BS was elected as the president of the Utah Dental Hygienists’ Association (UDHA) at the 2006 UDHA Annual Session in Salt Lake City.
Carlisi has been an active member of UDHA since her graduation from the Dental Hygiene program at Weber State University in 2002. Alison graduated with honors and received the Deans Leadership Award. She was the Voting Student, representing all students nationally, at the 2001 annual session of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA). She is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Ogden, and volunteers for the Civil Air Patrol-Cadet Program. Carlisi has been involved in numerous community service projects including dental sealant projects, the mobile clinic, and health fairs and has served as UDHA Fundraising Chair and Newsletter Editor. She also served on the Board of Utahn's For Better Oral Health, and two fluoride campaigns.
“I am excited and honored to have been nominated for this position,” says Carlisi. “I plan to uphold the traditions of UDHA by continuing with strong community involvement and overseeing the current legislative and mentoring projects sponsored by UDHA.
Along with Carlisi, many other UDHA officers were elected. Melinda Tateaccepted the nomination for president-elect, Doug Smitheywas selected as the vice president, SandraPierceas vice president-elect, and Peggy Bowmanand Karen Batemanwere elected as secretary and speaker of the house, respectively.
Karol Aldrich,RDH, BSDH, agreed to maintain her support as Immediate Past President, while UDHA continues to encourage 2005 President Lisa House to make a full recovery from a chronic illness. The newest additions to the board are secretary MariLyn Pickett, treasurer Laura Green, central component presidentRaeAnn Anderson, northern component president Lisa Burroughs, salt lake component president Amy Carpenter, and southwest component president Suzanne Jennings.
Chosen to represent Utah at the national level are delegates: Angie Carter, Sheri Eurick, Norma Mannos and Annalee Hull.
The dental hygiene profession was founded in the early 1900s. Today there are more than 120,000 registered dental hygienists across the U.S. who provide professional oral health care to help people maintain healthy smiles and healthy bodies.
The Utah Dental Hygienists Association was founded in the mid 1960s, hosting a few dozen members. In May 2006, the State of Utah licensed nearly 1600 dental hygienists. (1586 RDH licenses were granted licenses by the state this year). UDHA’s first statement in written policy is: “to improve the oral health of the public”
As the only professional organization in Utah that represents Dental Hygienists, UDHA proudly declares October National Dental Hygiene Month sponsored by ADHA. Dental Hygienists across the nation know that oral health directly impacts your overall health.
For more information about UDHA visit: www.udhaonline.org For free advise on how to achieve a healthy mouth and helpful tips on preventing dental disease, visit the ADHA site at www.ADHA.org
PRESS RELEASE STARTS BELOW-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salt Lake City, Utah – October 2, 2006 – The Utah Dental Hygienists’ Association (UDHA) announces the 14 th annual National Dental Hygiene Month. Sponsored by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), this event is a month-long observance of the importance of proper oral hygiene. The theme this year is “A Healthy Smile Lasts a Lifetime” with emphasis on establishing good habits early, for preventing childhood dental diseases.
The Utah Dental Hygienists Association was founded in the mid 1960s, hosting a few dozen members. In May 2006, the State of Utah granted licenses to nearly 1600 dental hygienists who benefit from the only dental hygiene organization in Utah that writes as their first purpose in policy: “to improve the oral health of the public”. UDHA further pronounces in general policy that “UDHA recognizes the dental hygienist as an educated professional who has graduated from a dental hygiene program accredited by the Council on Dental Accreditation and whose qualifications are confirmed by both didactic and clinical licensing examinations. Therefore, the Dental Hygienist, duly licensed in the State of Utah and subject to the disciplinary actions of a regulatory board, is responsible for the quality of treatment professionally rendered.”
That is the reason UDHA encourages everyone who has access to a dental clinic or private dental practice to schedule routine oral health assessment appointments. A tooth cleaning during National Dental Hygiene Month is a good idea before the rush of holiday treats begins! When you call, ask the receptionist if there is a hygienist on the team. Hygienists are prevention specialists that have many ideas to help prevent cavities from age 1 to 101!
UDHA recommends that you make sure you are receiving care from a properly educated and licensed oral health prevention specialist – a registered dental hygienist. Ask the person delivering care if she or he has graduated from an accredited program. If it is not in plain view, ask to see the license issued by the state to qualified practitioners. Get to know your hygienist by name and be sure to ask for your personalized home care instructions, including which prescriptions and over the counter dental products may be necessary for your specific needs. Remember: Prevention is the key to a healthy mouth. Discuss any questions or concerns you have about oral health, as part of your total health, with your dental hygienist – a prevention expert.
To prevent and treat disease, dental hygienists remove plaque (a stubborn film that contains bacteria), and calculus (tartar) both above and below the gum line. Dental hygienists know that a rubber cup polisher does not remove tartar, only stain. To prevent caries, dental hygienists provide nutritional counseling, apply fluorides and pit-and-fissure sealants.
Because they specialize in preventive oral health care, they are the perfect health care provider to educate the public on oral health and its effect on overall health. They know that cavities and gum disease are bacterial infections and that these bacteria do not stay in your mouth, but flow throughout your entire body. In an effort to insure total body health, the UDHA encourages you to visit your dental hygienist regularly. For more information about Utah hygienists log on to: www.udhaonline.org
For free information provided by the American Dental Hygienists Association on how to establish good oral health routines for your children log on to: www.adha.org
Happy Healthy Dental Hygiene Month and Happy Halloween!