Dental hygienists celebrate 100 years, Caring Clinician Award with Young Dental

During the 2013 RDH Under One Roof conference in Las Vegas, Young Dental hosted its fourth reception at the dental hygiene conference. Many dental hygienists who attended the “Dental Hygiene is 100 Years Young” event enjoyed a red carpet and those famous, bright Vegas lights, as well as the games of chance.

In conjunction with celebrating the 100-year anniversary of dental hygiene, the night was filled with recognizing the profession’s impressive past and looking on to the infinite future. A brightly lit “Welcome to Fabulous 100 Years Young” sign welcomed clinicians as they walked off the red carpet where attendees were able to embrace their inner celebrity and take pictures as they made their way into the reception area.

Throughout the reception, hygienists were able to play blackjack, craps, and roulette — playing for nothing more than chips and pride though! The Vegas-inspired games were only a portion of the activities that Young presented to guests. With music throughout the decades playing, clinicians enjoyed the cupcakes and open bar, participated in the ongoing raffles, and signed the Inspiration Wall, which asked the question “How Will You Inspire the Next 100 Years?”

Andrew Schwarz of Young Dental poses with Alison Stahl, the Caring Clinician Award recipient.

During the reception, the honorary Caring Clinician Award was given out to one very deserving hygienist. This award is meant to recognize and encourage dental hygienists who go above and beyond for both their patients and their community. This year’s award recipient, Alison Stahl, RDH, BS, was recognized for her efforts in community oral cancer awareness. In addition to winning the award itself, Alison’s trip to this year’s RDH Under One Roof was paid for by Young Dental.

To submit a nomination next year, visit ProphyWithAPurpose.com. Young Dental will be accepting nominees through June of 2014.

Alison is the third recipient of this relatively new award given by Young. She was nominated by her coworker and friend, Tricia De Dios, who described how Alison’s “compassion and commitment to her patients and profession led her to start, organize, and execute the biggest Oral Cancer Walk for Awareness the Oral Cancer Foundation has ever seen.” Last June dates her first organized walk, which raised over $70,000 for the Foundation with the help of over 600 participants.

For this year’s walk, Alison hopes to double — or even triple — last year’s impressive outcome. For more information on the walk, which is taking place at Busse Woods in Elk Grove, IL, please visit http://bit.ly/18LgMqf.

The Caring Clinician Award is meant to encourage dental hygienists to go above and beyond for both their patients and their community, and to recognize those who already do. Through the nomination of one’s self, a peer, or a friend, nominees are collected and then a panel of key opinion leaders selects the winner. Nominations for next year’s award will be accepted through June of 2014.