The Anthony Westwater Jong

Memorial Community Dental Public Health Student Awards

Two awards were established in 2006 in memory of the late Anthony Westwater Jong and in recognition of his commitment to community-based dental public health, his strong and highly acclaimed mentoring of students, and his emphasis on the importance of state, local and community based public health action: The Anthony Westwater Jong Memorial Community Dental Health Pre-Professional Awards sponsored by Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, and The Anthony Westwater Jong Memorial Community Dental Health Post-professional Award sponsored by OMNI Preventive Care, A 3M ESPE Company.

The 2008 recipients of The Anthony Westwater Jong Memorial Community Dental Public Health Pre-Professional Awards are:

Betsy Mae Preheim, RDH 2008, a recent graduate of the Dental Hygiene Program at Clark College in Vancouver, Wash. After graduating high school in 2000, Betsy spent four years in the Air Force. She became interested in the homeless population of Clark County and the oral health issues they faced while enrolled in a dental public health class. After conducting a needs assessment and an access-to-care survey, Betsy took the lead, collaborated with community partners and organized and facilitated a dental health day that provided over $20,000 worth of dental services to homeless people. Betsy believes an important element of public health is reducing health disparities for the under-served and hopes to continue in this effort.

Adrienne Archidiacono, DMD 2009, a fourth-year dental student at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. In her freshman year Adrienne joined BU’s American Student Dental Association, serving as its Community Outreach chair. From the start, Adrienne began planning local community health projects, which have grown every year under her leadership. This past year, she expanded oral health promotion at a local Boys and Girls Club to include a sealant and fluoride program. Adrienne’s involvement in community health dentistry has expanded her interest beyond clinical-based procedures. She wants to take her career beyond the confines of the operatory through planning and implementation of programs that will improve oral health care at a local and national level.

Maciek Dolata, DDS 2010, a third-year student at The University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Maciek has displayed a keen passion for oral public health. He is interested in the way dental services are provided to under-served populations and in mechanisms to improve their delivery through greater efficiency, effectiveness, and better quality. Maciek played a leading role in a study investigating the current status and operation of community dental clinics in Michigan, for which he won a first prize in a student research competition. He plans to expand his knowledge, skills and understanding of public health in order to improve the oral health status of the public.