Dental hygienists, students recognized during National Dental Hygiene Month

Throughout October, the Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry celebrated National Dental Hygiene Month by recognizing dental hygienists and dental hygiene students who have made a positive impact on the lives of others.

As part of the department’s annual spotlight, three to four honorees were featured each week in an email series and graphical display for the School of Dentistry community.

Spotlights included:

• Week 1
  • Tamaya Dixon, Dental Hygiene Class of 2026
    Nominator comments: Tamaya consistently brings positivity and encouragement to every situation. She is always willing to help classmates, offers valuable insights, and truly embodies teamwork and professionalism in clinic.
    
    
  • Theresa M. Dufrene, RDH, MSDH, Dental Hygiene Class of 1999, assistant professor
    Nominator comments: Professor Dufrene is a tireless supporter of her students. She is always available to answer questions, offer encouragement, and provide guidance, making herself a trusted mentor and role model. Her dedication has not only shaped my clinical skills but also inspired me to approach patient care with a higher level of professionalism and humanity.
    
    
  • Mia Jackson, Dental Hygiene Class of 2026
    Nominator comments: She has consistently shown strong leadership skills, guiding our class with professionalism, kindness, and dedication.
    
    
  • Raha Naderi, RDH, BSDH ’09, MEd, assistant professor, director of community outreach
    Nominator comments: Professor Naderi is our remarkable director for community outreach, whose passion for providing care to underserved communities is truly inspiring. Her commitment to integrating service learning for students has created a nurturing environment where compassion and hands-on experience go hand in hand, preparing the next generation of empathetic professionals. Her dedication is evident in the countless hours she spends organizing community events during the week and providing care on weekends.
    
    
• Week 2
  • Seidy Banobre Lopez, Dental Hygiene Class of 2026
    Nominator comments: Seidy is a caring and supportive classmate who is always willing to help others with encouragement and knowledge. She also goes above and beyond for her patients, making sure they feel comfortable and well cared for. Her kindness and dedication shine through in everything she does, and I feel grateful to learn alongside her.
    
    
  • Alana Batiste, Dental Hygiene Class of 2026
    Nominator comments: Alana is passionate about dental hygiene and demonstrates her commitment by consistently volunteering at community events, where she educates the public on oral health and helps connect them with treatment resources. Her positive, bubbly personality instantly puts people at ease, making her approachable and inspiring to those she serves. She embodies true leadership through the confident, compassionate way she communicates and the genuine care she shows for every patient and community member she meets. Alana is the embodiment of what it means to be a dental hygienist — compassionate, kind, and a great listener. She truly cares for her patients and peers, and her positive, bubbly personality makes her a joy to be around. Any office would be lucky to have her.
    
    
  • Janice Jiao, RDH
    Nominator comments: She’s an absolute joy to work with and is fantastic toward her patients.
    
    
  • Victoria Patrounova, MHA, RDH, Dental Hygiene Class of 1999, associate professor
    Nominator comments: Professor Patrounova consistently fosters an inclusive, engaging learning environment. Her mentorship encourages critical thinking and compassion in both clinical and classroom settings. She is an exceptional role model who empowers students to reach their fullest potential.
    
    
• Week 3
  • Lyann Le, Dental Hygiene Class of 2026
    Nominator comments: Lyann’s dedication, leadership, and constant support have helped unite our class and promote excellence in oral health — both in and out of the classroom.
    
    
  • Jennie Nguyen, Dental Hygiene Class of 2026
    Nominator comments: Jennie demonstrates constant kindness and support to her peers and patients alike. She approaches each challenge with patience and positivity, making her an incredible teammate and future hygienist.
    
    
  • Courtney Routh, RDH, BSDH ’06, MSDH ’23, assistant professor
    Nominator comments: Professor Routh is very passionate about dental hygiene, and it shows in her lectures and when in the clinic. She makes learning exciting and interesting. She inspires me to be just as passionate about dental hygiene.
    
    
  • Ilona Rutkowska, RDH
    Nominator comments: Ilona has positively influenced patients and colleagues alike through her professionalism and excellent patient care. Her commitment to thorough, compassionate service sets a strong example for others.
    
    
• Week 4
  • Sumayyah King, RDH, MS
    Nominator comments: She is a conscientious instructor who always seeks to improve year over year and goes above and beyond to help students learn and grow in skill and confidence. A+!
    
    
  • Lejini Roy, RDH
    Nominator comments: Lejini’s warmth and professionalism shine through in her care for patients and her collaboration with coworkers. She is a model of reliability and compassion.
    
    
  • Haizu Truong, RDH
    Nominator comments: Haizu’s gentle, thorough approach to patient care reflects her deep commitment to excellence. She is a trusted clinician and a valued colleague who brings positivity and professionalism to every interaction.