Lawmakers welcome hygiene students for advocacy day in Charleston
Students from dental hygiene programs at BridgeValley Community and Technical College, West Liberty University and West Virginia University School of Dentistry joined board members from the West Virginia Dental Hygiene Association in Charleston February 11, 2022 to meet with state lawmakers and advocate for legislation that supports oral health and wellness for residents.
WVU Student American Dental Hygiene Association president Jordan Clark and vice president Reese Prezioso, along with faculty members Dr. Cindi Shockey and Ashlee Sowards, represented Morgantown.
Delegate Amy Summers and Senator Ron Stollings both took time to speak with the students and present them with a legislative citation honoring and recognizing the active role hygienists play promoting oral healthcare through assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of oral health services. There are 990 active practicing dental hygienists in West Virginia.
Gina Sharps, legislative chair of the West Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association, is a 1993 graduate of the WVU dental hygiene program.
She thanked both lawmakers on the WVDHA facebook page.
“Thank you, Amy Summers, for meeting with the WVDHA leadership and students. The citation recognizing the profession of Dental Hygiene and its many contributions to health care was much appreciated,” Sharps wrote.
“Ron Stollings, year after year you never disappoint. Thank you for your recognition of student leadership. Taking the time to speak to students will make a lasting impression of the value of legislative champions,” Sharps wrote.
