American Dental Hygienists’ Association Student Chapter Wins 2010 Community Service Award
Miami, June 18, 2010 - The Miami Dade College (MDC) student member chapter of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has been awarded the healthcare organization’s 2010 Student Member Community Service Award.
MDC will be presented with the award, a check for $3,000, during the ADHA’s annual plenary session on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at the Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
The chapter plans to use the prize for student travel to state professional meetings, its pinning ceremony, and additional community events.
The award recognizes outstanding student member community service projects that have brought oral healthcare education, screening, and/or services to those in need.
The College is one of three student chapters in the U.S. being awarded for exemplary community service efforts.
The MDC student chapter’s community service project was critiqued on its goals and objectives, participation level, the time involved, its target population, and the final outcome.
In the end, the student chapter was awarded the association’s top prize for its successful partnership with the Miami Beach Children’s Oral Health Initiative, where they conducted dental health screenings and seminars for more than 7,200 local elementary school children from low-income and uninsured families.
Nearly 3,000 cavities were detected as a result of the students’ visual assessment.
Every year, the ADHA allows its student member chapters to apply for awards and leadership opportunities, which are often sponsored by major corporations.
This year’s Community Service Award is being sponsored by Tom’s of Maine, a consumer products company that supports non-profit efforts across the country by donating a percentage of its profits back to the community.
Offered at the Medical Center Campus, the dental hygiene program is a two-year, A.S. degree program.
For more information about MDC’s dental hygiene program, call 305-237-4141/4142 or visit www.mdc.edu/medical.
Media-only contacts:
Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director
Tere Estorino, 305-237-3949, testorin@mdc.edu, MDC media relations director
Tarnell Carroll, 305-237-3359, tcarroll@mdc.edu, media specialist
Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist