Linda Straub-Bruce delivers a presentation at an Erie, Pa., school.
Dr. William Hammerlee of Erie nominated Straub-Bruce for the award. The doctor praised his veteran dental hygienist for several public service efforts she initiated in the western Pennsylvania city. In his nomination, Dr. Hammerlee praised Straub-Bruce for coordinating a “Zoo Boo” event at the city’s zoo, visiting area schools for dental health presentations, and patient education efforts.
“In both 2009 and 2010, Linda coordinated with our Erie Zoo for the 15-day Zoo Boo event, where we handed out Trident and toothbrushes as an alternative to Halloween candy. Over 40,000 people attended both years!” Dr. Hammerlee said.
In addition to distributing the gum during school visits, Dr. Hammerlee said Straub-Bruce “hands out Trident to the patients in her goody bags and recommends it to most patients as part of their dental care regimen. She also creates a quarterly newsletter and has featured Trident and the benefits of sugarless gum.”
Straub-Bruce has practiced in Dr. Hammerlee’s office since her 1989 graduation from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. In addition, she is a licensed public health dental hygiene practitioner, which allows her to provide dental hygiene services independently in a public health setting.
Dr. Hammerlee has practiced dentistry in Erie since 1984.
Nominations for the Trident award was advertised in RDH and RDH eVillage from September to December 2010.
