DH Program recognized at TDHA Annual Conference, GHDS Student Poster Presentation

The Dental Hygiene Program at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry received recognition at the 80th Annual Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association Conference and Greater Houston Dental Hygienists’ Association Student Poster Presentation in February and March.

Taking place Feb. 3-6 at Marriot Houston Westchase, first- and second-year dental hygiene students joined faculty in participating in educational sessions at the TDHA conference.

Students gained valuable insight into the professional organization and enjoyed answering board questions during game shows as part of the welcome party. They were also able to sell handmade crafts and candles at the marketplace to fundraise for their graduation banquet.

Hannah Medrano, RDH, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene, received the TDHA Memorial Advanced Degree Scholarship. The scholarship total was $500.

Six students received scholarships. Recipients are as follows:

• Omega Seminars Jan Smith Memorial Scholarship: Caroline Choi, DH2
• Carus Dental Scholarship: Baraa Al-Karkhi, DH2
• Texas Dental Placement Network Scholarship: Reham Abuabeileh, DH2
• Nicole Eusebio Memorial Scholarship: Lilian Loh, DH1
• TDHA Student of Ethics & Compassion Award: Kennisha Allen, DH2
• Outstanding Student Dental Hygiene in Texas Award: Alexis Robichaux, DH2

Four groups of second-year students presented posters at the poster competition, and the program’s video presentation was well-received.

DS2 groups also presented at the GHDHS Student Poster Presentation on March 8, with two groups placing second and third respectively. Awardees were:

• Second Place: “Betel Nut Rush: A natural Stimulant with Catastrophic Effects” by Abuabeileh, Allen, Choi, and Olivia Young
• Third Place: “Correlation Between Osteoporosis and Periodontitis” by Arpine Janbazian, Nadia Saintot, and Sierra Tupolo.

TDHA is an organization of licensed dental hygienist volunteers. Its mission is to advance the dental hygiene profession, ensure access to quality oral health care, and to represent and promote the interests of dental hygienists.

GHDHS is a local level of the tripartite, American Dental Hygienists’ Association, whose mission is to improve the public’s health through advancement of the art and science of dental hygiene by ensuring access to quality oral health care, increasing awareness of the cost-effective benefits of prevention, promoting the highest standards of dental hygiene education, licensure, practice, research, and representing and promoting the interests of dental hygienists.