The American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) and the Dental Assisting National Board Inc. (DANB) have selected the winners of the 2016 ADAA/DANB Scholarship, a program intended to help dental assistants turn their professional development plans into reality.
The scholarships were awarded to five dental assistants who demonstrate a strong commitment to career growth and lifelong learning in the dental assisting profession.
•Gina Conrad, CDA, RDA, FADAA, will apply her scholarship toward earning her associate’s degree in general studies. A dental assistant for 20 years, Conrad ultimately plans to become a dental assistant instructor. “Teaching a dental assistant program is in my blood and is my passion,” she says. “I love helping new dental assistants take their careers to the next level.”
•Nhung Ho will use her scholarship to complete the dental assisting program at Calhoun Community College in Alabama. “With this scholarship, I can carry out my dream to help deliver good oral health care,” she says.
•Alysha Houston is a dental assisting student who plans to use her scholarship to earn DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification once she completes her studies at Diablo Valley College in California. “Being DANB certified would give me pride and comfort that I am one of the best trained dental assistants, as DANB is the only national certification recognized by the American Dental Association,” she says. “This will help further advance my career.”
•Nichole Magnuson will use her scholarship to earn DANB CDA certification once she graduates from the dental assisting program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in North Carolina. “Being certified by DANB proves that a dental assistant is dedicated to excelling in the industry,” she says. “Therefore, having the certification, Iyou can take pride in knowing that I have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform at an exemplary level.”
•Robynn Rixse, CDA, FADAA, will use her scholarship to earn a bachelor’s degree in health-care administration. With more than 26 years in the dental field, Rixse wants to pursue her degree so she can move on to multioffice practice management or become a dental assisting instructor. “I know it will not be easy or inexpensive, but I believe I still have many good years to give to the dental profession,” she says. “I know that furthering my education is a sound investment.”
The ADAA and DANB launched the ADAA/DANB Scholarship in 2013 to help dental assistants advance their careers through professional development. It is open to all ADAA members in good standing. The winners may use the scholarships to fund professional activities, such as continuing dental education, DANB exams or certification, some expenses associated with ADAA Fellowship or Mastership, or registrations for dental conferences.
To learn about other scholarship opportunities for dental assistants, visit danb.org or adaausa.org.
