Students, faculty showcase expertise at annual ADHA Conference

Students and faculty represented the School of Dentistry at the American Dental Hygienists’ Association conference.

Held in July in New Orleans, LA, the annual event celebrated education, research and connection across the dental hygiene profession.

As part of the conference, Cyndee Stull, DHSc, MDH, RDH, director of the Division of Dental Hygiene, and Michelle Arnett, RDH, MS, associate professor of dental hygiene, were invited to present a training on using brief motivational interviewing for HPV vaccination discussions.

“Jazz up your HPV Communication Confidence Using Brief-Motivational Interviewing” was an opportunity to share Stull and Arnett’s Skills-Based Motivational Interview Training, which “has gained momentum for dental educators and clinicians,” according to Arnett. “HPV-related oral cancers are outpacing oral cancer related to tobacco and alcohol use. Dental providers are instrumental in screening for oral cancer and providing patient-centered counseling for the prevention of oral cancers.”

“It has become apparent in recent years that dental hygienists perceive their role in oropharyngeal cancer and desire to learn more about how to talk to patients about HPV and advocate for the vaccine,” explained Stull.

Attendees enjoyed learning about how to use the motivational interview training, and Stull and Arnett appreciated the chance to share their message with hygienists from across the country.

“I hope attendees learned the philosophy of the ‘Spirit of MI’ to support patient autonomy, which is key to evoke positive behavior change,” reflected Arnett. “Brief-motivational communication strategies are translatable to many health topics. I believe the attendees have the skill set, knowledge and confidence to assess their patients’ motives, raise awareness and support behavior change for the prevention of HPV-related oral cancers.”

Stull, similarly, hopes that “attendees left feeling empowered for HPV discussions, and that they are encouraged to seek out more training to improve their confidence.”

In addition to the presentation, Stull was honored with the ADHA Standout Seven Administrator Award, which honors seven “individuals who show exemplary dedication and innovation within their specific dental hygiene role,” according to the association.

“It was an honor to be nominated and receive this award, specifically because it is a reflection of the hard work our division has done to influence the advancement of the dental hygiene profession,” she reflected. “The award gives me the motivation to continue leading the division toward our mission of graduating a diverse dental hygiene workforce who are leaders in healthcare innovation, and supporting collaborative efforts with other professionals to achieve holistic wellbeing of persons and populations.”

Brooke Schmeling, BSDH ’24, Mackenzie Judy, BSDH ’24, and Rylee Burnett, BSDH ’25, presented in the Undergraduate Student Professional Presentation Program, with a presentation entitled “Using a theoretical framework to apply motivational interviewing for improved oral home care regimens.”

The learners worked hard to create a presentation that showcased the ways motivational interviewing can be used to create a personalized home care regimen with a patient. “Our goal was not only to explain the concept, but also ensure the information was practical for everyday use,” explained Burnett.

The experience of presenting and attending the conference was exciting for the students, who enjoyed collaborating with other professionals and showcasing their knowledge. “To see our work presented to a room full of skilled dental professionals was an amazing experience,” said Judy.

Schmeling appreciated “being able to present on something my group and I were so passionate about, and showing our work on a national stage”

Burnett, who took the lead in presenting the information, called it “an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

The students also enjoyed the overall experience of the conference, networking and learning from other professionals.

“It was wonderful to be surrounded by people who share a passion for dental hygiene and oral health awareness,” said Burnett. “I was reminded to always remain curious, because there is always more to learn.”

Judy, who returned to school to complete the final days of the dental hygiene program after the conference, looks forward to implementing what she learned at the conference as a new provider.

“I learned the importance of staying open-minded, always staying updated on recent evidence-based information to best provide patient care and giving myself grace as I enter the workforce and apply all I have learned in school,” she said. “I also learned the importance of being part of the ADHA as a dental hygienist, advocacy for our profession and how much we can all learn from each other.”