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American Dental Hygienists' Association and Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. Announce Honorees of HYGIENIST HERO(R) Recognition Program

Posted on: Friday, 19 June 2009, 07:30 CDT

Dental Hygienists Acknowledged for Educational Activities Beyond the Call of Duty

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Dental Hygienists' Association and Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. announce the honorees of the HYGIENISTS HERO(R) Recognition Program that salutes dental hygienists' outstanding commitment to promoting oral hygiene in their local communities. The honorees were recognized at the opening ceremonies of the American Dental Hygienists' Association Annual Session June 16-24 in Washington, DC.

To be considered for the HYGIENISTS HERO(R) Recognition Program, dental hygienists submitted essays that described their inspirational, self-funded activities that enhanced oral healthcare in their communities. A few of the many accomplishments recognized through this program include:

• The creation of an international Special Olympics Special Smiles program through which a team of nearly 300 volunteers from around the world screened and treated athletes at the first-ever "Miles for Smiles" mobile dental unit
• Providing oral health and nutrition education to underserved elementary school children through creative instruction, books and costumes
• Collaborating with a local association to send 500 oral care kits to troops in Iraq
• Educating young women about oral health during pregnancy and the importance of establishing good oral hygiene habits with their newborns

This program is a joint partnership between American Dental Hygienists' Association and Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.

"These dental hygienists are making such a positive impact on the oral health of our nation through their inspiring efforts to educate all Americans on proper at-home oral care techniques as well as increasing access to professional oral care," said ADHA President Diann Bomkamp, RDH, BSDH.

"We are proud to support the HYGIENISTS HERO(R) program and honor dental hygienists who truly go above and beyond the call of duty," said Ellen Guritzky RDH, BS, Product Director, Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. "We applaud the efforts of the honorees and their many accomplishments that have helped to improve the oral health of America one mouth at a time."

Dental hygienists educate on the "front-lines" of dental care and are often the first and last professional to speak with patients about the importance of preventive oral care and the essentials of a complete daily oral care regimen including brushing, flossing and rinsing.

Members of the ADHA's Council on Public Health selected ten honorees. In addition to being honored at the ADHA's Annual Sessions, honorees will receive special recognition in their local communities. HYGIENISTS HERO(R) honorees will identify a health-oriented charity of choice to receive a $1,000 donation that will be made in the honoree's name.

The 2009 HYGIENISTS HERO(R) Honorees are:

• Jennifer Via Clayton, RDH of Boise, ID
• Denise Maus, RDH, BS of Wichita, KS
• Linda Meeuwenberg, RDH, MA, MA of Winter Park, FL
• Ilya Babiy, RDH, BSDH of Portland, OR
• Patricia Doyle, RDH, BS, FADPD of Seattle, WA
• Judith Shimamoto, RDH, BA of St. Louis, MO, presently living and working on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands
• Diana L. Corbin, RDH of Flint Hill, VA
• Dona Gabzdyl, RDH, BS, MBA of Elk Grove Village, IL
• Lisa Handa, BS, RDH, RDHAP of San Mateo, CA
• Jessica Huffman, RDH, BSDH of Charlotte, NC

For more information about the HYGIENISTS HERO(R) Recognition Program, please visit www.HygienistHero.com or www.jjdentalprofessional.com.

American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA)

ADHA is the largest national organization representing the professional interest of more than 150,000 dental hygienists across the country. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. For more information about ADHA, dental hygiene or the link between oral health and general health, visit ADHA at www.adha.org.

Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.

Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. is a leader in the consumer oral health and whitening market with LISTERINE(R) Antiseptic Mouthwash, LISTERINE(R) TOTAL CARE Anticavity Mouthwash, LISTERINE(R) WHITENING(R) Quick Dissolving Strips, LISTERINE(R) WHITENING(R) Pre-Brush Rinse, LISTERINE(R) WHITENING(R) VIBRANT WHITE(TM) Pre-Brush Rinse, LISTERINE(R) WHITENING(R) Pen, LISTERINE(R) SMART RINSE(TM), LISTERINE(R) AGENT COOL BLUE(R), REACH(R) toothbrushes, REACH(R) floss, and REMBRANDT(R) tooth whitening products.

SOURCE Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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