In this progressive dental practice, Courtney Lavigne, DMD, employs only clinical team members, and the dental hygienists are a part of all aspects of patient care. Carly Wilkins, RDH, and Stephanie Signore, RDH, along with Lavigne and the rest of the team, conduct weekly meetings to discuss the needs of all of the patients that week. In addition, they meet daily for a quick review of the patients on the schedule, so everyone in the office is prepared for the day. Wilkins and Signore are involved with all aspects of the patients’ care, from confirming insurance coverage, to providing dental hygiene services, making appointments, and checking them out at the end. In addition, it is common for Carly and Stephanie to come into a restorative visit to see how problems that were identified during their hygiene visits look like once the tooth is prepared and then restored. These hygienists have so much knowledge beyond clinical hygiene, and they are invaluable members of this team.

Meg Atwood, professor in the Dental Hygiene Department, has been a dedicated faculty member at SUNY Orange in Middletown, New York, for 36 years. She teaches head and neck anatomy, embryology and histology, and clinical instrumentation, and she supervises in the clinic. She also teaches oral health prevention and public health; both courses, her students can attest, are a passion of hers. Meg’s dedication has positively impacted not only her students but also countless individuals who have benefitted from her advocacy for the promotion of water fluoridation and the promotion of oral health, on a community, state, and national level. In addition, she is extensively published and has provided continuing education courses, served on the peer review board of several dental hygiene publications, and reviewed content for dental hygiene textbooks.

SUNY Orange has recognized her commitment and has awarded her the SUNY Orange President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

When asked what advice she would offer to our readers, she said, “Use evidence-based science. Do all you can to prevent dental disease. Dental decay is preventable, but if we miss our chance, it’s gone. See children before the age of 1 for their first dental screening and then at appropriate intervals after. Support water fluoridation. Collaborate with other healthcare professionals in any way you can. It’s our future. Support your colleagues. We are all in this together and we can all be winners. It's not a competition. Be an active member of the ADHA.” She continued by saying, “I have been in this profession for a long time. I still love it, and I think I am more passionate about prevention, teaching, and learning than ever. How lucky am I?”

How lucky are we to have a colleague like Meg?!

We want to hear about it! Send us a team photo with a few words about how great you work together for a chance to be featured on our social media. One lucky team will also be included in our next issue! Send your entries to: idhteam@aegiscomm.com