Dental hygiene students excited to kick off semester with annual picnic
The Beginning is a Picnic
The annual West Virginia University School of Dentistry Department of Dental Hygiene orientation picnic is a multipurpose event. While it is a time to review policy and explain expectations, it is the first meeting of all students and faculty in the program prior to beginning of the fall semester.
Click to see a photo gallery from orientation 2021.
The Middle is Work
The WVU program is the first and only four-year integrated Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene. The first two years, students spend much of their time in liberal arts and science classes, most on the downtown campus, before beginning lab and clinical instruction their junior and senior years at the Health Sciences Center.
The End is Sweet
Small classes and a low faculty-to-student ratio promote teamwork within the Department of Dental Hygiene. It contributes to the bonds formed in each class.The 2021 class sizes are:
Seniors - 21 students
Juniors - 23 students
Sophomores - 23 students
Freshmen - 16
These 16 students who make up the Dental Hygiene Class of 2025 attended their first orientation picnic August 17. They are pictured at the top of the page and include:
Abbie Ash, Kristen Blair, Martyna Brumley, Lauren Burke, Grace Dempsey, Sidney Fix, Rebecca Good, Sofia Henline, Megan Hutcherson, Chloe Johnson, Gillian Pierrard, Olivia Reagan, Cierra Satterfield, Caitlin Scott, Evelyn Tabb, Julie Watts
When asked what they most looked forward to this semester, the majority of returning students were eager to get back to in-person classes and activities.
Leaders are Forever
All dental hygiene students become members of the Student American Dental Hygienists' Association or SADHA. Through the professional organization, members dedicate themselves to building the future of their new profession.
WVU School of Dentistry SADHA leadership for 2021-2022 includes:
President: Jordan Clark
VP: Reese Prezioso
Secretary: Kelsie Bishop
Treasurer: Emma Rice
Senior Historian: Madelyn White
Junior Class Representatives: George Harris and Kailey Cullen
Junior Historian: Hannah Nicoletti
Sophomore Class Representatives: Ava Mele and Maddie Atwell
Sophomore Historian: Lauren Byrnside
Alumni for Life
Not every day is fun and games. But, they are both guaranteed on orientation day. SADHA representatives plan most of the orientation picnic to include team-building exercises and friendly competition. Generous donors ante up prizes for winners. Caitlyn Rastetter, dental hygiene alumna and founder and CEO of Dental Hygiene Nation, continues to support her alma mater donating items from her product line which was created to bring humor and a sense of community to the learning and working world of dental professionals.
