TODAY news - October 2, 2003 - School of Dentistry news

Thursday, October 2, 2003 TODAY

School of Dentistry news

Dental hygiene students attend American Dental Hygienists’ Association annual meeting in New York
Faculty, students, and staff say ‘thank you’ to Dr. Ellstrom for his generous service

Dental hygiene students attend American Dental Hygienists’
Association annual meeting in New York

Presenting their research are dental hygiene seniors (pictured, from left): Sharisa Mellor, Kelly Noto, and Kristin Allen.

During the 2003 school year, Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association (SADHA) formed a leadership team in the School of Dentistry.

This team, which consisted of 11 seniors and one junior class SADHA representative, worked diligently to host fundraising events and provide services for community activities including dental screenings with the School’s Crest van, and a health fair where they provided oral health-care information to the community and gave out more than 2,000 toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Some of the fundraisers they organized included a car wash, See’s candy sales, and Crest Whitestrip sales. They also sold travel mugs.

The students’ goal was met when they raised enough money to attend the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) annual meeting in New York City.

Sixteen seniors and two junior students: Claudia Rodriguez, first-year dental hygiene, and 2003 graduates Dyanna Denney, Kelly Noto, Shawna Kirschenmann, Joyce Oh, Kristi Morgan, Sandra Garcia, Adrian Lugo, Kristin Allen, Miriam Skala, Sharisa Mellor, Becca Nutter, Heather Rosaasen, Vicki Sindell, and first-year dental hygiene students Aubrey Yost and Truc Nguyen attended the meetings. They were joined by Rhonda Hamerslough, assistant professor, dental hygiene, and SADHA advisor.

Five students: Vicki Sindell, Miriam Skala, Sharisa Mellor, Kristin Allen, and Kelly Noto were chosen to present their research through poster presentations.

The highlight of the meeting was the opening ceremonies where Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City, gave an inspirational speech. The group also attended a class specifically for dental hygiene students about oral cancer.

In addition, they learned about legislation by attending the house of delegates and interacting with students from other schools representing district IX.

According to Ms. Hamerslough, the new SADHA leadership team is planning to attend next year’s ADHA meeting in Dallas, Texas, and also have plans for several community projects.

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Faculty, students, and staff say ‘thank you’ to Dr. Ellstrom for his generous service

Merv Ellstrom, DDS, assistant professor and volunteer faculty member, pediatric dentistry department, poses with a chair with the University seal, a gift to him from the pediatric dentistry department.

On August 25, faculty, staff, and residents from the pediatric dentistry department in the School of Dentistry gathered for a luncheon thanking Merv Ellstrom, DDS, assistant professor and volunteer faculty member, for his contributions to the department.

Dr. Ellstrom lectures to second-year dental students and teaches in their lab. For more than 25 years he has also volunteered in the pediatric dental clinic.

In addition, intricate bronze sculptures he created (including a bust of Wilfred A. Nation, DDS, chair of the department from 1992 to 1996), adorn the pediatric dental clinic.

“ When they learned of this luncheon,” says Bonnie Nelson, DDS, chair, pediatric dentistry, “many people thought it was a going-away luncheon. Dr. Ellstrom is not leaving—we just wanted to honor him.”

John Peterson, DDS, MS, director, advanced education program in pediatric dentistry, and Todd Milledge, DDS, MS, associate professor, pediatric dentistry, also thanked Dr. Ellstrom for his generous service.

Dr. Ellstrom was given a hardwood chair carved with the LLU logo, and his wife, Karen, was given a bouquet of flowers.

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Thursday, October 2, 2003 TODAY