Join usFaculty and Alumni Activity
Brags & Congrats
October 2013
JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, PhD, was an invited speaker for the ADHA/Santa Fe Group meeting on Transforming Dental Hygiene Education.
Dr. Gurenlian presented "From Whence we Came: The Evolution of Dental Hygienists' Practice and Curriculum Development" on September 19, 2013.
September 2013
Congratulations Karen Portillo ! She received a $7050 grant to buy portable dental equipment to start a dental sealant program for youths in Pocatello.
Dental health programs receive grant to fix gaping lack of dental care problems among youth
June 2013
Karen Portillo, Assistant Professor, Department of Dental Hygiene was recently awarded a grant in the amount of $5979.00 from the Ronald McDonald House of Charities of Idaho to implement the Greenacres Elementary Dental Sealant Program. This money will be used to purchase a mobile dental unit so that children can be provided sealants preventing tooth decay, and the pain and suffering associated with this chronic disease of children.
Denise M. Bowen, RDH, MS, published a paper entitled "History of Dental Hygiene Research" in the Special Commemorative Issue of the Journal of Dental Hygiene June 2013. JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, PhD, coauthored with Ann Spolarich, RDH, PhD, the paper "Advancing the Profession Through Doctoral Education" in the same journal.
April 2013
On April 20, JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, PhD, was honored as the recipient of the Excalibur Award from Bishop Eustace Preparatory High School for her excellence in the profession of dental hygiene.
March 2013
The faculty and graduate program students and alumni from the Department of Dental Hygiene conducted presentations at the American Dental Education Association Meeting held in Seattle Washington as follows.
Dr. Ellen Rogo and Leciel Bono (graduate student) presented a workshop entitled "A Panoramic View of Professional Development from Student to Educator" on Saturday, March 16, 2013.
Lisa Welch (alumnus), Dr. Rogo, Kathleen Hodges, and Dr. Beverly Hewett presented a poster entitled "The Transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections via Oral Sexual Contact" on Monday, March 18, 2013.
Dr. Rogo and Karen Portillo, RDH, MS, presented their poster, "Stages of Online Learning Communities" on Monday, March 18, 2013.
Ann Wetmore (alumnus) co-presented a workshop (with Jana Mannen) on "Mapping the Terrain of Effective Clinical Management" on Tuesday, March 19, 2013.
Dr. JoAnn Gurenlian presented "Thesis Process and Considerations" as part of the workshop on Thesis vs. Non-Thesis Scholarly Activity: Moving the Profession Forward on Tuesday, March 19, 2013.
February 2013
Karen Portillo, RDH, MS
The Department of Dental Hygiene, under the direction of Karen Portillo, RDH, MS, conducted their Give
Kids a Smile Program, treating 91 children from the surrounding Southeast Idaho area and providing
almost $19,000 worth of oral health care services at no charge. Dental hygiene faculty, students and
dentists volunteered their time over two days to provide preventive oral health care to these children.
Tara Johnson, RDH, PhD
Dr. Tara Johnson has been selected to serve as the Poster Session Chair for the International Association
of Dental Research/American Association of Dental Research General Session from March 20-23, 2013
in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Johnson is being recognized for her contributions to substantial research for
the profession.
January 2013
Kathleen Hodges, RDH, MS
Kathleen published a manuscript "The Power of Selection" in the January 2013 issue of
Dimensions of Dental Hygiene.
December 2012
JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, PhD
JoAnn presented "Future Directions: Putting the Pieces Together" at the Interprofessional
Conference entitled "The Oral Systemic Link: Creating Collaborative Initiatives" held on
December 10, 2012, at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.
In the December issue of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene was the article "Risk Assessment for Autoimmune Diseases" coauthored by JoAnn Gurenlian and Ann Spolarich.
Frieda Atherton Pickett
"Nonfluoride Caries Prevention" was published in the December issue of Dimensions of Dental
Hygiene by Frieda Atherton Pickett, coauthoed by Ruth Tornwall.
Kandis Garland, RDH, MS
Kandis Garland was featured in the December issue of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene with her
article "Separate the Facts from Fiction".
November 2012
Kathleen O. Hodges, RDH, MS
Kathleen Hodges published the manuscript "Maximize the Benefits of Mouthrinse" in the
November issue of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene.
Lisa Moravec, alumnus of the MSDH Program, has published "Habits for Healthy Practice" in the same publication.
October 2012
Jacqueline Freudenthal, RDH, MHE published a paper entitled "Risk Management in Pain Control," and Elena Francisco, recent alumnus, co-authored a paper with Vicki Dodge, current MSDH student, entitled "Identify Moderate Caries Risk." Both articles appeared in the August 2012 issue of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene.
Kandis Garland, RDH, MS published an article "The Battle Against Biofilms" in the September issue of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene
July 2012
Merri L. Jones, RDH, MSDH, alumnus of the MSDH Program, just published an article called Team Approach in the July issue of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. Congratulations!
Kandis V. Garland, RDH, MS, Assistant Professor, in the Department of Dental Hygiene was appointed tot he American Dental Association National Board Dental Hygiene Examination Test Construction Committee. This is a two- year appointment. In addition, Kandi was invited to write the proceedings from the recently held Organization for Safety, Asepsis, & Prevention Symposium. Congratulations!
June 2012
Please join me in recognizing Kandis Garland, RDH, MS, and Elena Francisco, MSDH, RDHAP (alumnus) for being appointed to the Peer Review Panel 2012 of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, and Kathleen Hodges, RDH, MS, for her article "Reduce the Bacterial Load" that appeared in the June issue of Dimensions.
Congratulations all!
45th Annual National ADEA Allied Dental Program Directors' Conference in Chicago, Illinois
JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, PhD and Kristin Hamman Calley, RDH, MS, created and presented the paper "Promoting Social Networking in Graduate Dental Hygiene Education" at the 45th Annual National ADEA Allied Dental Program Directors' Conference on June10, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois.
Advances in Practice CE Mini-Conference in Mesa, Arizona
JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, PhD presented "Considerations for Treating Women with Cancer" at the Advances in Practice CE Mini-Conference sponsored by the National Center for Dental Hygiene Research & Practice on June 13, 2012 in Mesa, Arizona.
ADHA Annual Session in Phoenix, Arizona
"Building Online Learning Communities in a Graduate Dental Hygiene Program" Poster Session by Ellen J. Rogo, RDH, PhD and Karen Portillo, RDH, MS.
"Precision Grip Strength in Dental Hygiene Students" Poster Session by Lisa J. Moravec, RDH, MS (alumnus), Kathleen O. Hodges, RDH, MS, Ellen J. Rogo, RDH, PhD, and Deanna C. Dye, PT, MA, PhD.
"The Role of the Dental Hygienist on the Cleft Palate Team" Poster Session by Sara L. Beres, BA, RDH, MSDH (alumnus)
"Lotions, Motions and Potions: What Should You Recommend?" Continuing Education Workshop by Denise Bowen, RDH, MS and Jacqueline Freudenthal, RDH, MHE.
Tonette L. Hollingworth, RDH, and MSDH student, served as District X Trustee representing Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming Dental Hygienists' Associations.
May 2012
Please join me in congratulating our alumnus, Lidia Silva, and faculty Kathleen Hodges and Kristin Calley for their research article entitled, "A Comparison of Dental Ultrasonic Technologies on Subgingival Calculus Removal: A Pilot Study" that was published in the Spring edition of the Journal of Dental Hygiene.
Denise Bowen, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Dental Hygiene, published an article entitled, "Flossing or Alternative Interdental Aids?" in the Spring edition of the Journal of Dental Hygiene.
March 2012 - ADEA Conference in Orlando, Florida
JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, PhD, professor and interim graduate program director, Department of Dental Hygiene, co-presented two workshops with Ann E. Spolarich, RDH, PhD, titled "Creating an International Online Doctoral Program in Dental Hygiene" at the American Dental Education Association Annual Session on March 20 and 21, 2012 in Orlando, Florida.
Ellen J. Rogo, RDH, PhD, associate professor, and Leciel K. Bono, RDH, BS and graduate student, Department of Dental Hygiene, co-presented a workshop titled "Engage Students in Legislative Advocacy" at the American Dental Education Association Annual Session on March 18, 1012, in Orlando, Florida.
Ellen J. Rogo and Colleen Stephenson, RDH, BS, and graduate student, in the Department of Dental Hygiene, co-presented a TechExpo titled "Using Hands-Free Computer Technology in Education to Enhance Patient Care" at the American Dental Education Association Annual Session on March 20, 2012, in Orlando, Florida.
March 2012
Kathleen O. Hodges, RDH, MS, Professor in the Department of Dental Hygiene recently published a paper on "Restore Periodontal Health" in the February issue of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene.