WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.— Pennsylvania College of Technology students achieved second- and fourth-place honors in the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association’s “informative posters” event for college students.
A poster titled “Transforming Treatment for Transplant Patients,” presented by Tara L. Roupp, of Lewisburg, and Kimberly R. Bergenstock, of New Columbia, placed second among more than 40 entries from across the state.
Taking fourth place was “Going Green: Innovative Products for Periodontal Prevention and Maintenance,” presented by Madilyn G. Serenko, of Williamsport, and Erin K. Gohn, of Spring Grove.
Students from Pennsylvania dental hygiene schools were invited to present updated information on new and relevant topics for the benefit of Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association members. The posters were judged by a panel of association members. Those placing in the top 10 received cash awards.
Also representing Penn College in the event were students Sarah C. Bennett, of Williamsport, and Jordan E. Rockey, of Bellefonte, whose poster was titled “Bad to the Bone? Can Excessive Occlusal Forces Cause Periodontal Disease?”
The students were supervised by Bridget E. Motel, instructor of dental hygiene, and Lisa E. DeVito, part-time instructor of dental hygiene, who serve as advisers for the Penn College chapter of the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association.
“These students put a great deal of time, energy and dedication into researching their respective topics,” Motel said. “The presentations they created provided Pennsylvania hygienists with valuable information applicable to direct patient care.”
Students developed their poster topics as part of the Periodontics II course. Preparation and presentation of posters to the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association was an optional, extracurricular opportunity.
“We are so proud of our students,” said Shawn A. Kiser, director of dental hygiene. “Despite all of the pandemic-related challenges they are working through, they still put forth the extra efforts required to excel at the state-level conference.”
The poster session is typically part of the association’s annual session, the Keystone Dental Health Conference, but was held online this year due to the pandemic.
Penn College offers an associate degree in dental hygiene and is one of two higher education institutions in Pennsylvania that offer a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. Registered dental hygienists, who already hold an associate degree, can complete their bachelor’s degree coursework online. For more information about these and other degrees offered by the college’s School of Nursing & Health Sciences, call 570-327-4519 or visit www.pct.edu/nhs.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.