ADHA Announces Recipient of 2008 Colgate Community Outreach Award

Chicago—August 11, 2008—The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has named the Grand Rapids Dental Hygienists’ Society of Michigan (GRDHS) as a recipient of the 2008 Colgate Community Outreach Award. GRDHS was honored during the second plenary session at ADHA’s 85th annual session Albuquerque, N.M., on June 21st.

ADHA, in conjunction with Colgate, presented this award in recognition of the volunteer efforts of ADHA component associations and individual members who have conducted significant outreach programs that focus on preventive oral health care. The winning component associations demonstrated collaboration with appropriate non-dental and dental partners, innovation and creativity in application of proven strategies, and a congruence of program strategies with established objectives.

GRDHS was honored for their work in a Community Dental Health Outreach program which provided free preventive and restorative dental services to 132 underserved adults and children.  GRDHS partnered with the West Michigan Dental Foundation and Mel Trotter Ministries to provide the services valued at more than $59,000. 

ADHA is the largest national organization representing the professional interests 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 http://www.adha.org

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