KEEPING IN TOUCH - MAY 2023

ODC was successful this year with many dental professionals returning to the in-person event.

ODAA hosted two continuing education courses:

5 STEPS TO PRACTICING DENTISTRY PAIN-FREE: Evidence-based Ergonomic Strategies for Career Longevity, by DR. BETHANY VALACHI

Oregon DANB EFDA Exam Preparation; Infection Control (ICE), Radiation Health & Safety (RHS), Oregon Expanded Functions – General Dental Assisting (ORXG), by Ginny Jorgensen and Christina Becker.

In addition, ODAA hosted a student luncheon for 135 students and instructors who attended. The Mary Gaines scholarship was presented by Michael Jenkins, Mary’s son.

More information about Mary Gaines (pictured above), her involvement in the Dental Assistant Profession, and her life can be found on our website, in the Winter issue of our yearly Newsbulletin 2022.

Mary Gaines Scholarship 2023 Award Recipients

Two Chemeketa Dental Assisting Program students, Emely Gazares and ShayLynn Miller in the amount of $1,250.00 each.

After each speaker gave their presentation, they drew a door prize ticket from a basket and 6 students were the lucky winners to receive a gift.

Jen Price from DANB and the DALE Foundation presented “Building A Rewarding Career As A Dental Assistant”

Alyssa Kobylinsky and Stacy Kimsey presented their stories of becoming interested in dental assisting and how the pathways they have followed are different but both have led to their current successful positions.

The final presentation was given by Dr. Cassondra Phillipsen who is the executive director of Medical Teams International. She was an excellent, energetic speaker and a perfect end to a fun program for the students.

ODAA Representatives at the 2023 Oregon Dental Conference

We had several interested dental professionals visit the ODAA courtesy table to purchase pins, keychains, socks, watches and to get questions answered by the ODAA board members.

Overall, ODAA ODC 2023 was a great success!

Ginny Jorgensen, Vice President

ODC Committee Chair