Dental Hygiene Professors Win State Awards
November 11, 2019
Dental Hygiene professors Dr. Luisa Dattoma and Dr. Jean Hall have received awards from the New York Dental Hygienists’ Association.
Dr. Dattoma won for Excellence in Mentoring, for exhibiting support, professional development, and role modeling to Association members and student-member dental hygienists over the years. Dr. Hall was recognized for extraordinary volunteer service on behalf of NYDHA, showing exceptional commitment and making a significant contribution to furthering the Association’s mission.
“It was such an honor to be recognized at the state level for my contribution to the profession of dental hygiene,” says Dr. Dattoma, who is also her department’s Academic Advisement Coordinator/BSDH Degree Completion Program.
Says Dr. Hall: “I am honored to receive this award for the work I did on a two-year statewide project titled ‘Mouth Care Without a Battle.’ Five dental hygienists around the state worked with skilled nursing facilities to incorporate an oral care regimen for residents diagnosed with some form of dementia. We served as coaches in developing and implementing regular oral care for their residents.”
Dr. Maureen Tsokris, Dental Hygiene chair, has high praise for her professors.
“The department is extremely fortunate to have faculty such as Dr. Dattoma, who goes above and beyond her role as educator. Additionally, Luisa has been a mentor for faculty within the department- she is most deserving of this recognition.”
About Dr. Hall she says: “Her role in the “Mouth Care Without a Battle” program is another demonstration of her commitment to the profession of dental hygiene, and the delivery of preventive oral health services for under-served populations. She is an amazing role model for our students.”
The New York Dental Hygienists’ Association, a constituent of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, is the professional association for dental hygienists in NYS. It supports the advancement of the art and science of dental hygiene, to ensure access to and delivery of quality preventive and therapeutic oral health-care services in a cost-effective manner.
Dr. Jean Hall
Dr. Luisa Dattoma
