WEST ALLIS, WIS., Nov. 27, 2012 – West Bend resident and general dentist Dr. Kathleen Roth received the 2012 Wisconsin Dental Association Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her significant contributions of time, energy and expertise to organized dentistry throughout her 38-year career.
Roth was one of eight individuals and four organizations who received a Pyramid of Pride from the 3,145-member statewide organization for dentists and dental hygienists at an evening banquet on Nov. 16 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Milwaukee.
An outstanding leader, Roth served as president of her local dental society and the WDA. In 2006, Roth was the third Wisconsin dentist to be elected president of the American Dental Association.
In addition, Roth has served on governing boards for the WDA Foundation, National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped, National Museum of Dentistry, America Dental Education Association and America’s Dentists Care Foundation. She also worked tirelessly on the WDA Mission of Mercy state committee.
A 1974 Marquette University School of Dentistry graduate, she has been on the Dean’s Advisory Council since 1995. She currently chairs the school’s “Building for the Future” Fundraising Committee.
Fellow dentists have welcomed Roth into three honorary professional organizations, including the Pierre Fauchard Academy, American College of Dentists and International College of Dentists.
Thomas Witkowski of the Town of Brookfield was this year’s WDA Foundation Philanthropic Award recipient. As WDA Insurance and Services Corp president, Witkowski has led the company’s support for such foundation programs as Donated Dental Services and MOM. He has been a member of the Wisconsin State Dental Golf Tournament Committee since 2003 with proceeds supporting the foundation’s philanthropic outreach.
Two organizations were honored with 2012 Friends of Dentistry Awards for ongoing contributions to the mission of the WDA. America’s Dentists Care Foundation helps state dental associations provide oral health care to residents in need while raising public awareness of barriers to care. ADCF has provided equipment and expertise in support of successful WDA and WDA Foundation MOM events since 2009.
First Supply of La Crosse also received a Friend of Dentistry Award for its ongoing commitment to WDA MOM projects. The company has provided the thousands of dollars worth of PVC pipe needed to make countless plumping connections that help turn convention centers and high school gyms into temporary charitable care dental clinics.
WISC-TV 3 (CBS) in Madison was recognized with a Media Awareness Award for helping get the word out about the fourth WDA and WDA Foundation Mission of Mercy to prospective patients and the general public. WISC-TV 3 also regularly covers other important dental health topics, such as community water fluoridation.
Dr. Brian Hodgson, a Brookfield resident with a pediatric dental practice in Lake Geneva and an assistant professor at MUSOD in Milwaukee, received a Media Relations Award. He was recognized for serving as a WDA spokesperson on children’s oral health and community water fluoridation.
Crivitz residents and general dentists, Dr. Joel Supita and Dr. Jamie Mandigo received Media Relations Awards for sharing important dental messages through weekly “advertorials” in the Peshtigo Times. Their commitment to increasing public oral health awareness benefits both the community and dental profession.
Dr. Allison Dowd, a Middleton resident and Fitchburg pediatric dentist, earned the New Dentist Leadership Award. Her dedication to organized dentistry is reflected in memberships in the ADA, WDA, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Wisconsin Society of Pediatric Dentists and the PFA. She was the 2012 WDA MOM local chair and is state vice chair for MOM in 2013. For more than nine years, Dowd has donated pediatric dental services in the central Wisconsin area. She also is a faculty member at the Meriter Hospital Max Pohl Dental Clinic. Her legislative outreach efforts on behalf of the Tooth Party have had a positive influence on the dental health of the people of Wisconsin.
WDA Political Action Awards went to Manitowoc resident and Green Bay general dentist Dr. Christopher Hansen and Eau Claire resident and oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Jeff Jones. A member of the WDA Legislative Committee, Hansen has been an active participant in numerous state and national campaigns. Jones’ personal relationships with state legislators in his area make him a valuable and trusted resource on dental health issues.
The 2012 WDA Award of Honor was bestowed on the Dane County Dental Society. The DCDS has advanced the art and science of dentistry by consistently offering quality continuing education opportunities to its members. DCDS is also involved in the Dane County Oral Health Coalition and partners with the Department of Public Health of Dane County. This local dental component was well-represented at the 2012 WDA InSession and MOM.
