In June and July 2020, LIDHA spotlighted a local AAS and BSDH Class of 2020 graduate. Our intention was to spotlight our colleagues as they achieve continued success in the dental hygiene profession. We hope to encourage membership in the ADHA and active community participation through example and support.
• June 1st Spotlight:
Marissa Burke has been an orthodontic assistant for four years. She received her AAS in dental hygiene at Farmingdale State College in May of 2020. She is continuing her education towards earning her Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene!
• June 2nd Spotlight:
Georgia Doulos is a Class of 2020 graduate of the Dental Hygiene program at Farmingdale State College. She is “beyond excited to enter this rewarding career and cannot wait to see what the future holds as a dental hygienist.”
• June 3rd Spotlight:
Iris Quintanilla has been a dental assistant for nine years. She received her AAS in dental hygiene at Farmingdale State College in May of 2020. She would like to become a team member in private practice. She would also like to participate in community outreach programs.
• June 4th Spotlight:
Georgia Marinakos is a graduate of the Dental Hygiene Program at Farmingdale State College. She has been working in the dental field for the past 7 years and has previously completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences in 2018.
• June 5th Spotlight:
Corinn Kennedy is a recent graduate from Farmingdale State College’s Dental Hygiene Program. During her time in the program, she was secretary for the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Corinn and her research group won first place at Farmingdale’s research symposium for their poster presentation titled “Triclosan: Are there more risks than benefits?”. She had gone on to present with her group their poster at the Greater New York Dental Meeting as well as the New York Dental Hygiene Association Saratoga conference. As Corinn is very excited to join this profession, she is hoping to continue to participate in the community by practicing on a mobile dental unit as well as work clinically in periodontics.
• June 6th Spotlight:
Liliya Pletmin has been working in the dental field for about 15 years and is very proud to have graduated with an AAS in Dental Hygiene from Farmingdale State College in May. She is very excited to start a new career!
• June 7th Spotlight:
Alexis Volka graduated from Farmingdale State College’s Dental Hygiene program in May. She achieved Dean’s List status during her time there and was awarded 1st place during Farmingdale’s research symposium for her chosen topic on the risks and benefits of triclosan. Before beginning the dental hygiene program, she worked as an assistant with expanded function for 8 years. She found it rewarding to provide care to those with dental anxieties. Now that Alexis has made the transition into dental hygiene, she hopes to enhance patient experience and remove the stigmas attached to the dental hygiene appointment. She is excited to embark on this new journey and looks forward to her future as a dental hygienist.
• June 8th Spotlight:
Amber is a people person who is passionate about helping others. It has been her dream to do dental missions in underserved countries. She had the privilege of being president of her graduating class and hopes to further her skills as a leader in the future. Although Amber is new to the dental field, she feels right at home in her new profession and thinks it is a great fit for her. She is quite eager to finally practice as a dental hygienist very soon.
• June 9th Spotlight:
Kerrin Poidomani was a dental assistant for 2 years before starting the Dental Hygiene Program at Farmingdale State College. She is eager to start her career “in this rewarding field as a hygienist!”
• June 10th Spotlight:
Zarmina Sajjad has been working in the dental field as an assistant for six years. She has attended Stony Brook University and received her Bachelor of Science degree. She received her AAS in dental hygiene at Farmingdale State College in May of 2020. Her volunteer work includes Doctors Without Borders and Give Kids a Smile. In her spare time, she loves traveling, reading, and dancing.
• June 11th Spotlight:
Christine is a graduate of the Dental Hygiene program at Farmingdale State College. She received her AAS in Dental Hygiene in May 2020 and is excited to continue her education for a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene.
• June 12th Spotlight:
Nidia Arita is a graduate of the Dental Hygiene Program at Farmingdale State College. She has worked as a dental assistant for nine years and is passionate about the dental field. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts from St. John’s University.
• June 13th Spotlight:
Rebecca Desson is a graduate of the Dental Hygiene Program at Farmingdale State College. During the program, Rebecca and her group won first place at Farmingdale’s research symposium! Their poster title was “Triclosan: Are there more risks than benefits?” They participated in the GNYDM and NYDHA Saratoga conference. Rebecca is very excited to start her rewarding career as a dental hygienist!
• June 14th Spotlight:
Fatemasugra Rehmatulla received her AAS in Dental Hygiene at Farmingdale State College in May of 2020. She loves working with children and is also interested in participating in community outreach programs providing care for underserved populations especially in her home country in East Africa.
• June 15th Spotlight:
Jessica Knowles graduated with an AAS degree in Dental Hygiene from Farmingdale State College in May. She is looking forward to working as a dental hygienist in an environment where she can grow professionally while providing exceptional treatment to patients. She has previously achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
• June 16th Spotlight:
Katrina Mok has recently graduated from the Dental Hygiene Program at Farmingdale State College. Throughout the past two years she has been shadowing and assisting in two different offices. She is extremely grateful for the people that have guided her to where she is today. As a recent graduate she is eager to start her career and is looking forward to the upcoming challenges that may cross her path.
• June 17th Spotlight:
Catherine Cubias has been a dental assistant for 5 years and is excited to continue in the field as a dental hygienist. Now that she’s done with school, she can’t wait to get back to Citi Field (once social distancing rules no longer apply) and cheer on her favorite baseball team. Catherine adds “Let’s Go Mets!”
• June 18th Spotlight:
Kristen Retus has been working in the dental field for 9 years. She is excited to begin this new journey as a dental hygienist and to make smiles brighter!
• June 19th Spotlight:
Diana Vidal recently graduated from the Dental Hygiene program at Farmingdale State College and received her AAS this May 2020. She is the first of her family to graduate from an institution of higher learning as she comes from immigrant parents. She is extremely excited to start this journey into such a fulfilling and rewarding field.
• June 20th Spotlight:
Nicole Dezendorf just graduated with an AAS in Dental Hygiene and earned a BA in English with a minor in Creative Writing from SUNY New Paltz in 2011, allowing her to clean your teeth and talk to you about literature simultaneously. She has been a dental assistant for 9 years, which led her back to school in pursuit of a new career. She is especially grateful for the encouragement and support of her fellow hygienists, as well as her family, friends, coworkers and classmates. This has also been her second time in college during a pandemic [H1N1,] which she thought was noteworthy. Nicole is excited to continue in the dental field as a hygienist and keep the world smiling bright. “What’s madness but nobility of soul at odds with circumstance?” -Theodore Roethke, “In a Dark Time”
• July 1st Spotlight:
Nicollette Micozzi just graduated in 2020 with her Bachelor Degree in Dental Hygiene. Upon completing her Associate Degree in 2018, she knew right away that she wanted to continue her education. Nicollette wants to participate in community events and her dream goal is to volunteer on a dental missions trip!