Donate
Each October, we celebrate the essential role dental hygienists play in the health of children by recognizing five outstanding dental hygienists during My Smile Matters, the official Dental Hygiene Month campaign of America's ToothFairy.
The dental hygienists below were nominated to be recognized for going above and beyond to help underprivileged kids in their communities. We chose five who stood out to receive prize packages that include a gift from Waterpik, a certificate of recognition, a Smile Guardian education resource kit for community outreach, and other fun swag.
Nominated by Erin Deckinga
Shankisha is committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of children who might otherwise lack access to comprehensive care. Her leadership and passion for public health have not only provided essential dental care to underserved children but have also inspired a collaborative spirit among various departments and professionals within her Florida community.
Shankisha recently spearheaded a Healthy Smiles Event at the State College of Florida where 150 school-aged children from Manatee and Sarasota Counties received free dental treatment. She secured the voluntary services of 11 community doctors, two hygienists, seven hygiene faculty members, and 44 senior and junior dental hygiene students.
By partnering with the occupational therapy, radiography, and dental hygiene programs at the State College of Florida, she ensured that the children not only received dental exams, cleanings, Silver Diamine Fluoride treatments, and fluoride applications but also sensory assessments and x-rays.
“What set the Healthy Smiles Event apart is the multidisciplinary approach Shankisha cultivated,” Erin told us. “This holistic approach is a clear reflection of her foresight in addressing the broader health needs of the children.”
In addition to the clinical services provided, Shankisha ensured that each child received patient education and nutritional counseling, equipping them with the knowledge to maintain their oral health long after the event. Each participant was also given a full goodie bag, adding a personal and caring touch to their experience.
“Shankisha’s ability to mobilize the community was nothing short of remarkable,” Erin added.
“This collaboration highlights her leadership and organizational skills, as well as her ability to inspire others to contribute their time and expertise to a worthy cause.”
Shankisha Sizemore’s work through the Healthy Smiles Event has had a profound and lasting impact on the community, particularly in the lives of the children and families she has served. Her dedication to improving public health, her innovative approach to care, and her ability to bring together diverse professionals for a common cause embodies the spirit of the Outstanding Hygienist.
Nominated by Laurel Sander
Lindsey Vizcay of Home Sweet Hygiene, a mobile dental hygiene practice based in Solano County, California, is a passionate advocate for children's oral health. She frequently volunteers her time to ensure that all children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to essential dental care.
Through her mobile practice, she removes barriers by bringing dental hygiene services directly to underserved communities, ensuring that children who might otherwise go without care are given the attention they need. Lindsey often offers free oral health screenings, cleanings, and fluoride treatments, and educates children and their families on the importance of proper oral hygiene. Her efforts focus not just on treating immediate issues but also on preventing future dental problems through education and hands-on care.
Lindsey often collaborates with local nonprofits, community events, and religious organizations to reach uninsured children or those with limited access to dental care. She has made it her mission to ensure that no child is left behind when it comes to oral health, and her impact on these communities is profound.
“What sets Lindsey apart as a caring and compassionate dental hygienist is her genuine dedication to each patient she encounters,” Laurel said when she nominated her friend. “Whether she is working with a nervous child at a community event or providing care to children with special needs in the comfort of their homes, she always takes the time to ensure that her patients feel safe, understood, and cared for. She doesn’t just see her patients as cases to treat but as individuals who deserve kindness and personalized care. Her gentle approach and ability to connect with children, especially those who may be anxious about dental visits, help them feel comfortable and empowered to take charge of their oral health.”
Lindsey’s commitment to building trust with her patients and her passion for making a positive difference in their lives is what truly makes her a dental hygiene rock star.
Nominated by Terri Trantow, Eileen Studders, DMD and Beth Wavrunek
Alyssa was our only Outstanding Hygienist candidate to receive three separate nominations. She has devoted her entire career to helping underserved children in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Despite receiving offers for more lucrative career opportunities, Alyssa has remained at Oral Health Partnership (OHP,) a nonprofit dental clinic that serves children who are uninsured or depend on government assistance to receive dental services. She stays because she loves the children she cares for and takes great pride in providing excellent and compassionate care for her young patients.
“She is a dental hygiene rock star!” Terri Trantow, executive director at OHP, said in her application. “She has lived our mission every day over the last 16 years to change the lives of our community’s children by providing access to excellent oral health services and education. She believes that we can and do make a difference for every kiddo we see in not only getting them healthy but keeping them healthy.”
As OHP’s lead hygienist, Alyssa also has a team of hygienists in three other clinics that she inspires to provide the same great care that she does. Her team members admire Alyssa for her genuine care, not only for the patients she serves, but also for her co-workers. She is a vital part of the team at OHP and her passionate and endless enthusiasm is contagious.
In her nomination application, Dr. Eileen Studders said, “Alyssa is our ‘go-to’ hygienist to treat our patients with special healthcare needs, trains our new hygienists, and is an all-around leader in the clinic. People ask for her to be their hygienist because she is kind, caring, and talented. She also shows compassion to our patients knowing the social struggles so many of them have, and makes each patient feel valued and special.”
Echoing her colleagues’ sentiments, Beth Wavrunak, the Community Dental Health Director at OHP also noted Alyssa’s dedication to her profession.
“She is extremely helpful to special needs and disabled kids,” she said. “Her patience and understanding make all the nervous kids happy and excited by the time they leave the dental office. She has many repeat patients that only want to see her and its because she always goes the extra mile with lots of hands-on education and TLC.”
Nominated by Brooke Fukuoka, DMD, FSCD
Dr. Fukuoka and Vaughn Hixson work together at Jerome Advanced Delivery Dental Clinic (ADD Clinic) in Twin Falls, Idaho. Their patients have special healthcare needs and complex medical histories.
“Vaughn is one of the most outstanding people I know,” Dr. Fukuoka told us. “He has proven this time and again in our clinic. We exclusively treat patients who have special needs and through the day he sees some pretty difficult patients. Some are verbally abusive to him, some physically and some are madly in love with him.”
Dr. Fukuoka nominated Vaughn for recognition because he treats every patient with love and kindness. Even for patients who have previously needed sedation in order to receive a cleaning, Vaughn provides treatment successfully. He is a team player and is always willing to lend a helping hand by providing the clinic with basic repairs and solving tech issues. He also has an extensive CV consisting of teaching at both hygiene schools and dental schools.
“There are so many wonderful things I could say about this man and what he has brought to our clinic,” Dr. Kukuoka added. “In a profession dominated by women he has never let that stop him. I can’t imagine the clinic without him. Simply the fact that he reaches patients who have never allowed anyone to clean their teeth makes him a rock star. He is humble and always looking for change and improvements. I have been impressed since the day I met him.”
Nominated by Debra Pochop
Tammi Engel of Atwood, Kansas was nominated by her colleague at Rawlins County Dental Clinic (RCDC) because she goes above and beyond to ensure that school students in 13 counties receive preventative dental care. Serving students in a region equal to the size of the states of Maryland and Delaware combined often means that Tammi must work extremely long hours on a tight budget.
Debra Pochop, CEO of RCDC also believes Tammi deserves recognition for the strides she has made in the lives of her patients with development disabilities.
“Tammi works tirelessly to give kids a positive introduction to dental care,” she told us. “Seldom is there a child that she can't get to cooperate and even have fun in her dental chair. When she started seeing this population many needed sedation for even the slightest care. Now they often come to the outreach room asking if they can see the ‘dentist’ and leave with a fresh smile and a few giggles in between!”
Congratulations to this year’s Outstanding Dental Hygienists!
We had so many excellent nominees this year! Choosing five winners was difficult, so we’re including a few here who we feel also deserve special recognition:
Nominated by Joseph Hendrick, DDS
Lori is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Dental Office Manager in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. She not only wrote model legislation for hygienists in North Carolina to be able to administer local anesthetic, she also championed the dental society to get behind her idea. Lori also represents NC hygienists on several boards including the dental board and the NC Caring Dental Professionals, her state’s wellbeing program.
In response to seeing many patients with anxiety and post-covid stress, Lori is completing her mental health and substance use counseling masters. She is not only a clinician but also an educator, CE provider, and dental lab owner where one of her favorite things to do is help restore smiles!
Nominated by Christine Nathe
Angela Cook of Albuquerque, New Mexico was nominated by her colleague at the University of New Mexico because she strives to obtain care and education for those most in need.
In her application, Christine Nathe told us, “Angela has coordinated our three school based dental clinics for years. She tirelessly ensures that all children receive preventive care, but more importantly, she gets them in for comprehensive dental care.”
Angela also focuses on additional initiatives the provide education, promotion, products and direct access to dental hygienists for all students, parents and teachers. Her passion motivates others to care for those in need. She has been active in leadership roles with the state and local dental hygiene associations.
Nominated by Vera Nelson
Katie works in the small, rural community of Jameson, Missouri, where most of the students are on free and reduced lunches. She volunteers at in the North Daviess R-III School District by holding screenings and encouraging the kids to brush and take care of their teeth.
“Katie always has a smile on her face,” Vera Nelson told us. “She is always willing to assist our health goals for our kiddos while helping those kids who are afraid to relax with her jokes and contagious laugh.”
Katie also works on her local Community Betterment Council to fund a Pocket Park for kids and a community center. This project was a dream of six women, with Katie spearing the group, that in four years time has acquired funds to save a historical cupola in the town of Gallatin and bring in activities for local families to enjoy.
