Member News
July 2010, 2008 edition

Jackie S. Perry, RDH, MSDH

Jackie S. Perry, RDH, MSDH, was recently awarded with the Old Dominion University Dental Hygiene Outstanding Alumnus Award for 2010.

“Winning this award is something I never expected or even dreamed would happen,” Perry said. “I was the first person from my mother and father’s families to even go to college. I received my RDH in 1973 and then returned to complete my [bachelor’s and master’s degrees in dental hygiene]. The MSDH was in 2003, 30 years after the RDH, and my father, who was my most fervent supporter and my inspiration, was still alive to see me receive it.”

ODU selects and recognizes an outstanding alumnus selected from among graduates of the undergraduate or graduate program. This individual has made significant contributions in advancing the art and science of dental hygiene.

“I was very fortunate to have been selected to attend the ODU dental hygiene program,” Perry said. “It is one of the most prestigious programs in the nation. ODU prepared me to be an outstanding dental hygienist, and I have always been extremely proud to be one of its graduates.”

Frieda Atherton Pickett, RDH, MS

Contemporary Pediatrics recently announced its selection of the top 10 articles of importance to general pediatrics published from March 2009-February 2010. Included is a simplified blood pressure table for hypertension screening of pediatric patients developed by Frieda Atherton Pickett, RDH, MS, in collaboration with David Kalber, MD, PhD, MPH (Pediatrics 2009; 123(6)e972-e974, August 2009). “This is so satisfying, to have one’s work honored,” Pickett said.

“I presented this research at the National Dental Hygiene Research Conference last June in Bethesda and received many positive comments and word that several dental hygiene programs would include it in their clinical practice manuals for vital sign evaluation in pediatric individuals,” she said.

“With the increase in hypertension in pediatric individuals and the finding of target organ damage in adolescents (for the first time—formerly, it was in texts that individuals did not develop damage to CV system until 20s or 30s), it is clear that all health care professionals should monitor blood pressure in the pediatric population. The proper cuff size must be secured, and the Simple Table would be used to identify the child/adolescent who needs to be referred for medical evaluation of blood pressure,” she continued, adding that it is believed that if medical therapy is initiated early, target organ damage (such as left ventricular hypertrophy) can be prevented.

“Just think,” said Pickett, “monitoring BP in the dental office and referring indicated individuals for medical evaluation could save lives.”

Michelle Vacha, RDH, BS

Michelle Vacha, RDH, BS, was recently honored with the 2010 Hometown Community Service Hero award from the Pikes Peak chapter of the American Red Cross in Colorado.

“The great news of this award came after another stressful day of the rollercoaster ride I experience in developing this non-profit program and working in private practice,” Vacha explained. “The reason this award has particular meaning is this quote in the notification: ‘I am pleased to inform you that a committee of community leaders met this morning and although there were a lot of deserving nominees, they felt that you best exemplify an American Red Cross Hometown Hero for your wonderful work with seniors who need dental care.’

“To know community leaders are aware of and value our program is huge,” she continued. “I am hoping the media exposure for this program will continue so we may bring attention to the needs of the elders in our community and the importance of good oral health. This is my opportunity to educate the public about needs of seniors and the relationship between oral/systemic diseases.”

Vacha received the award because of the work she has done with her non-profit organization, Senior Mobile Dental. Senior Mobile Dental actively works with the elderly population at assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, along with other long-term care centers, to provide professional mobile dental hygiene services to their residents.

“The need was obvious,” she said, explaining why she started her business. “Living in Colorado, I had the opportunity to increase access to care easily with our independent practice regulations. My action was to form a nonprofit program to bring professional dental hygiene services to this underserved and neglected population. I decided to create it as a nonprofit so that every senior citizen may be served. I did not want financial difficulties to prevent access to care.”

For more information about Vacha’s organization, visit www.SeniorMobileDental.org.

This edition of Member News was prepared by Frances Moffett.