FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WEST ALLIS, WIS., May 21, 2009 – The Wisconsin Dental Association Foundation recently awarded $14,500 in scholarships to 13 dental and hygiene students in the state.

Four Wisconsin students in their third year at Marquette University School of Dentistry have received $2,500 each after demonstrating academic achievement, motivation, character and financial need in their scholarship applications.

Kayla Marie Danzinger of Durand was inspired to pursue a career in dentistry in fifth grade. When she needed braces, she realized proper dental hygiene and esthetics influenced a person’s confidence and overall well-being. Danzinger’s family dentist encouraged her to apply for a summer position as a dental hygienist, her initial career goal. That experience helped her decide to pursue dentistry.

Summer Drews worked as a receptionist in her father’s Rhinelander dental practice throughout high school. When her mother suggested she become a dentist, “It was like a light bulb went off,” Drews says. She enjoyed working with patients and observed the creative solutions her father brought to dental challenges. Unfortunately, Dr. Collin Drews passed away in February. Ms. Drews is managing the practice while she completes school and looks forward to continuing her father’s dental legacy in northern Wisconsin.

Volunteering in a small clinic during a church mission trip to rural Kentucky helped convince Christine Jones of Onalaska that dentistry was her professional calling. Jones became interested in health care careers during high school and was attracted to dentistry’s combination of science and artistry. During the mission trip, Jones witnessed the difference dentists made in the community and decided dentistry was for her.

Kenosha resident Carolyn Strash enjoyed and excelled at biological sciences during high school. She wanted to pursue a career that would use that knowledge, but it was her family dentist and orthodontist who unknowingly helped her focus on dentistry. Their kindness and expertise convinced Strash to follow in their footsteps. She looks forward to practicing in southeastern Wisconsin.

Nine dental hygiene students enrolled in technical colleges across the state have each been awarded $500. All hygiene scholarship recipients are Wisconsin residents and selected on academic achievement and financial need. The schools, their scholarship recipients and students’ cities of residence include:

• Chippewa Valley Technical College – Kelsey Baumgartner of Almond
• Fox Valley Technical College – Shantel Bouzek of Brownsville
• Madison Area Technical College – Recipient to be named at later date
• Milwaukee Area Technical College – Recipient to be named at later date
• Northcentral Technical College – No WDA Foundation scholarship was awarded in 2008, so two recipients were identified this year: Sara Smith of Loyal and Megan Solinsky of Stevens Point
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College – Andrea N. Becks of New Franken
• Waukesha County Technical College – Tamara Ritger of Newton
• Western Technical College – Karina Boyea of Tomah   

“I was first intrigued by the dental hygiene profession after I completed a career survey in middle school and then …by watching my own hygienist. I worked as a dental assistant after high school graduation while waiting to be accepted into the WCTC hygiene program. Although I loved my work as an assistant, I’m passionate about being able to educate patients on improving their oral hygiene,” said Ritger.

NEWTC student Becks believes a smile is everyone’s first impression and she’s committed to helping educate patients about good dental health.

The WDA Foundation was created as the charitable arm of the Wisconsin Dental Association in 1957. A qualified, tax-exempt corporation, the foundation provides scholarships to dental and dental hygiene students attending accredited schools in Wisconsin. It also gives financial support to projects providing dental care to the underserved and other dental-related philanthropic endeavors. The foundation also administers the Donated Dental Services program.

Established in 1870, the WDA is headquartered in West Allis. With more than 2,900 members statewide, the WDA represents the vast majority of practicing dentists in Wisconsin. Its members are committed to promoting professional excellence and quality oral health care. The WDA is one of 53 constituent (state-territorial) dental societies of the American Dental Association - the largest and oldest national dental association in the world. For more information on the WDA or the WDA Foundation, call 414-276-4520 or visit www.wda.org.

CONTACT:                 Carol S. Weber, APR, Director of Public Relations
PHONE:                     414-755-4108
E-MAIL:                     cweber@wda.org