2004 Pfizer/ADHA Award Presented to Mary C. George

Chicago—July 15, 2004—The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) has named Mary C. George, RDH, BS, MEd, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, as one of six winners of the 2004 Pfizer/ADHA Excellence in Dental Hygiene Award.

The award, sponsored by Pfizer Inc, honors dental hygienists who exhibit excellence in dental hygiene through outstanding accomplishments that impact the practice and future of the dental hygiene profession. Winners must be active members of ADHA for a minimum of 10 years.

George, an active member of ADHA for 37 years, was recognized for her work, both in clinical and educational settings, to advance the profession of dental hygiene. Currently, she is an associate professor and director in the Division of Allied Dental Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. During her time at UNC, she developed a master’s degree program in dental auxiliary teacher education, which has become the school’s current master of science degree in dental hygiene education. George regularly volunteers her time in the local community by making oral health care available to the underserved, as well as serving on an American Dental Education Association task force that published “Improving Oral Health Status of All Americans: Roles and Responsibilities of Academic Institutions.”

The recipients were honored during a special luncheon at ADHA's 81st annual session in Dallas on June 27. They each received $2,500 and a commemorative award, as well as round-trip transportation and lodging for the session.

ADHA is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of the more than 120,000 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 the 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.

Pfizer Inc is the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical company, providing a broad range of human and animal pharmaceuticals, as well as consumer products.

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