ADHA Access April 2012 : Page 28

 Celebrating 25 Years of Dental Hygiene Entrepreneurship A Dental Hygienist Named to American Association of Dental Boards Executive Council ccess congratulates Joyce Turcotte, RDH, MEd, as she celebrates the 25th anniver-sary of her company, Profes-sional Learning Services, LLC (PLS). A business that started in the guest room of Turcotte’s Monroe, Conn. home, PLS offers cutting-edge, compre-hensive, quality continuing education courses for dental and health care professionals. +HUJRDOZDVWREHWKH¿UVW to offer dental hygienists an alternative way to stay on top Joyce Turcotte, RDH, MEd WKHODWHVWWUHQGVLQWKHLU¿HOG ZKLOHDOORZLQJWKHPWRIXO¿OO their state licensing requirements, promising to stay “one step ahead of tomorrow’s standards.” Turcotte celebrates this quarter-century achievement by hosting events featuring speakers and guests including Esther Wilkins, RDH, DMD; Robert Fazio, DMD; JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, PhD; Ann Eshenaur-Spolarich, RDH, PhD; forensics expert Henry Lee, MD; Carol Jahn RDH, MS; Judy Bendit, RDH, BS; Jane Weiner, RDH; and Mark Schweizer DDS, who will all be presenting cutting-edge topics and celebratory toasts at different locations in Connecticut throughout the year. Turcotte is still adding more courses for the year. To show her appreciation, she will thank attendees with tu-ition courtesies and other surprises. “I am well aware that my successes have been made possible by my loyal customers and supportive peers, ADA CERP and AADH, Inc. course recognition approval,” Turcotte explains, “It says a lot that I’ve been able to operate PLS as a small, local business all these years.” For more information on Turcotte and PLS, call 203-261-2857 or visit www.pls.org. A ccess recognizes Janet Brice McMurphy, RDH, who recently won election as dental hygienist-at-large on the Exec-utive Council of the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB). The AADB’s mission is to “serve as a resource by providing a national forum for exchange, development, and dissemination of information to assist dental regulatory boards with their obligation to protect the public.” McMurphy received her Janet Brice McMurphy, RDH dental hygiene degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC) in 1977. Over the years, she has worked in various private dental practices, with the last 22 years for one practice in Biloxi, Miss. McMurphy became very involved in what she calls “protecting her profession” while a student at UMC. During Mississippi’s 1976 and 1977 Legislative Sessions, with the backing of the Mississippi Dental Association, bills were introduced for a dental hygiene preceptor model to be implemented, which would have allowed dentists to train em-ployees “on-the-job” as dental hygienists. With the assistance of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, faculty and classmates, McMurphy joined a group of dedicated dental hy-gienists who lobbied the Mississippi Legislature to protect the dental hygiene profession and the program at UMC. In fact, in 1976 when the bill was sent to the governor for his signature, McMurphy and a fellow classmate met with the governor, and after explaining how the bill would be detrimental to the health and welfare of the citizens of Mississippi, he promptly vetoed the bill. In 1977, with more organized lobbying, McMurphy and her fellow dental hygienists managed to stall the bills in com-■ Dental Hygiene in a Changing World ADHA President Pam Quinones, RDH, BS, welcomed more than 250 attendees to the inaugural Dental Hygiene in a Changing World: Leading and Developing Your Career— a full day of insights and discussion geared toward re-envisioning and re-engergizing participants’ careers that also included a track for students and hygienists new to the profession. The symposium took place on February 25 in Chicago. Participants heard presentations from futurist Marcia Rhea, CAE; panelist Lillian Caperila, RDH, BSDH, MEd; and ADHA Executive Director Ann Battrell, MSDH. Also on the agenda were panel discussions, moderated by Quinones, that informed subsequent small group discussions among participants. Each panelist brought a wealth of information and experience from a different dental hygiene career pathway (see photo caption). The event was supported by Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products, A Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. and Premier Dental Products. In-depth coverage of the event’s content will appear in the May-June issue of Access . President Quinones with panelists. From left to right: Christine Charles, RDH, BS (research); Mary Pat Burgess, RDH, MBA (public health); Colleen M. Brickle, RDH, RF, EdD (educator); President Quinones; Lillian Caperila, RDH, BSDH, MEd (corporate) and Tammy Filipiak, RDH, MS (administrator). Photo courtesy of symposium attendee Carolynn Wahl, RDH, BS. 28 APR 2012 access

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Celebrating 25 Years of Dental Hygiene Entrepreneurship Access congratulates Joyce Turcotte, RDH, Med, as she celebrates the 25th anniversary of her company, Professional Learning Services, LLC (PLS). A business that started in the guest room of Turcotte’s Monroe, Conn. Home, PLS offers cutting-edge, comprehensive, quality continuing education courses for dental and health care professionals. Her goal was to be the first to offer dental hygienists an alternative way to stay on top the latest trends in their field while allowing them to fulfill their state licensing requirements, promising to stay “one step ahead of tomorrow’s standards.” Turcotte celebrates this quarter-century achievement by hosting events featuring speakers and guests including Esther Wilkins, RDH, DMD; Robert Fazio, DMD; JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, PhD; Ann Eshenaur-Spolarich, RDH, PhD; forensics expert Henry Lee, MD; Carol Jahn RDH, MS; Judy Bendit, RDH, BS; Jane Weiner, RDH; and Mark Schweizer DDS, who will all be presenting cutting-edge topics and celebratory toasts at different locations in Connecticut throughout the year. Turcotte is still adding more courses for the year. To show her appreciation, she will thank attendees with tuition courtesies and other surprises. “I am well aware that my successes have been made possible by my loyal customers and supportive peers, ADA CERP and AADH, Inc. course recognition approval,” Turcotte explains, “It says a lot that I’ve been able to operate PLS as a small, local business all these years.” For more information on Turcotte and PLS, call 203-261- 2857 or visit www.pls.org. Dental Hygienist Named to American Association of Dental Boards Executive Council Access recognizes Janet Brice McMurphy, RDH, who recently won election as dental hygienist-at-large on the Executive Council of the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB). The AADB’s mission is to “serve as a resource by providing a national forum for exchange, development, and dissemination of information to assist dental regulatory boards with their obligation to protect the public.” McMurphy received her dental hygiene degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC) in 1977. Over the years, she has worked in various private dental practices, with the last 22 years for one practice in Biloxi, Miss. McMurphy became very involved in what she calls “protecting her profession” while a student at UMC. During Mississippi’s 1976 and 1977 Legislative Sessions, with the backing of the Mississippi Dental Association, bills were introduced for a dental hygiene preceptor model to be implemented, which would have allowed dentists to train employees “on-the-job” as dental hygienists. With the assistance of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, faculty and classmates, McMurphy joined a group of dedicated dental hygienists who lobbied the Mississippi Legislature to protect the dental hygiene profession and the program at UMC. In fact, in 1976 when the bill was sent to the governor for his signature, McMurphy and a fellow classmate met with the governor, and after explaining how the bill would be detrimental to the health and welfare of the citizens of Mississippi, he promptly vetoed the bill. In 1977, with more organized lobbying, McMurphy and her fellow dental hygienists managed to stall the bills in com- Mittee, whereupon the bills died before making it to the floor of the Mississippi Legislature for a vote. Over the years, McMurphy has monitored a variety of issues affecting her profession by staying active and holding office in her local and state associations, as well as maintaining membership in ADHA. Her dedication and involvement led to her nomination by the dental hygienists in her district and ultimate appointment by the governor to the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners (MSBDE) in 2009. Two months after her appointment to the MSBDE, McMurphy attended her first AADB meeting. “I thought I was keeping abreast of the national politics involving dental hygiene issues until I attended my first AADB meeting in Hawaii,” McMurphy said. “What an eye-opener; I learned so much there.” When the term of the previous AADB dental hygienist-at-large was about to expire, McMurphy was approached by a group of southern dentists to run for the position. Immediately after delivering her position statement at the AADB meeting in Las Vegas, she headed for the airport to fly home, and she found out via text message she won the election. For many years this AADB position simply was called “member-at-large.” However, through a change in the bylaws at the same Las Vegas meeting, the AADB voted to change the name to “dental hygienist-at-large.” “As an RDH, I am protective of my profession,” McMurphy said. “I have done this for over 30 years. I feel as though I look at things from a ‘we as a dental team’ perspective. Protection of the dental profession must be a collaborative effort.” McMurphy believes this “dental team” mentality probably stems from the dental blood that runs in her family; her brother is a pediatric dentist, and she has two sons in dental school at UMC. Through her involvement with the MSBDE and the AADB, Mc- Murphy has learned that as a dental hygienist, she must stand her ground on issues and do her homework by researching facts and figures on a given issue to prepare for any discussion. “I have found that I will not make a statement without my ducks in a row now,” she said. “You have to know the facts in order to speak both intelligently and knowledgeably. When you present yourself as a level-headed, educated professional, you will be heard and respected.” For more information on AADB, visit www.dentalboards.org. For more information on McMurphy, email her at tigerfan@cableone.net. Dental Hygiene Educator Wins Award for Outstanding Article Published in the Journal of Dental Education Access congratulates Jonathan B. Owens, RDH, MS, on being named a recipient of the Olav Alvares Award for Outstanding Articles Published in the Journal of Dental Education (JDE). He was recognized at the American Dental Education Association meeting in March. His paper, “North Carolina Internists’ and Endocrinologists’ Knowledge, Opinions, and Behaviors Regarding Periodontal Disease and Diabetes: Need and Opportunity for Interprofessional Education,” was completed while Owens was a graduate student at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC), where he received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. “When I was in graduate school, I can remember thinking how research is not for the weak. I questioned the long hours it takes to do good research and what would happen if my research did not get published,” Owens said. “After emails and meetings with my thesis director, Rebecca S. Wilder, RDH, BS, MS, she would say, ‘You will finish your research and your research article will be publishable.’ Those words have been ringing so true for me.” Owens is an assistant professor and director of Dental Hygiene Admissions at Howard University College of Dentistry, Department of Dental Hygiene. He also served as president of the North Carolina Dental Hygiene Association for the year 2008-2009. JDE presents awards for the best articles every year to encourage junior faculty, allied and predoctoral students, residents, and fellows to conduct publishable research and to recognize those who have published outstanding work. For more information on Owens, please email him at jonathan.Owens@howard.edu. Mariam Pera is Access’ editorial and graphics assistant.

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Dental Hygiene in a Changing World ADHA President Pam Quinones, RDH, BS, welcomed more than 250 attendees to the inaugural Dental Hygiene in a Changing World: Leading and Developing Your Career—a full day of insights and discussion geared toward re-envisioning and reengergizing participants’ careers that also included a track for students and hygienists new to the profession. The symposium took place on February 25 in Chicago. Participants heard presentations from futurist Marcia Rhea, CAE; panelist Lillian Caperila, RDH, BSDH, Med; and ADHA Executive Director Ann Battrell, MSDH. Also on the agenda were panel discussions, moderated by Quinones, that informed subsequent small group discussions among participants. Each panelist brought a wealth of information and experience from a different dental hygiene career pathway (see photo caption). The event was supported by Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products, A Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. and Premier Dental Products. In-depth coverage of the event’s content will appear in the May-June issue of Access. President Quinones with panelists. From left to right: Christine Charles, RDH, BS (research); Mary Pat Burgess, RDH, MBA (public health); Colleen M. Brickle, RDH, RF, EdD (educator); President Quinones; Lillian Caperila, RDH, BSDH, Med (corporate) and Tammy Filipiak, RDH, MS (administrator). Photo courtesy of symposium attendee Carolynn Wahl, RDH, BS.

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