The Candace M. Jones Dental Hygienist of the Year Award is presented annually to a dental hygienist who has demonstrated accomplishments in career progression, contributions to the agency as demonstrated by awards, leadership, and continued learning and education. The award was instituted in 2006 to promote the recognition of dental hygienists who have made a significant contribution to:

• The advancement of the nation’s oral health;
• The advancement of dental public health as demonstrated by leadership in his/her work;
• Serves as a role model to others.

This award was named in honor of CAPT Candace Jones for her commitment to improving the oral health of underserved populations and her dedication to the USPHS. CAPT Jones joined the USPHS in 1988 and has served in the Indian Health Service with a short detail to the Health Resources and Services Administration. CAPT Jones was instrumental in developing the dental hygiene billets and including dental hygienists as part of the Health Services category. She is a past Chair of the HS-PAC and the Council on Public Health for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and a Past President of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry

Past Year Awardees:
2011 Michelle Bleth-Weber
2009 CDR Karen Sicard
2008 CDR Beth Finnson
2007 LCDR Lori Goodman
2006 CDR Denise Goudelock

Junior Dental Hygienist of the Year

This award is granted annually to hygienists in the Indian Health Service who demonstrate a significant contribution to the advancement of oral health. The awards are evaluated for excellence in the core dental hygiene functions: clinical, education, advocacy, and administration or leadership.

Eligibility:
Any Commissioned Corp Dental Hygienist at the rank of 0-4 and below, with at least one year of service in the USPHS at the time of award submission, is eligible. Candidates may self-nominate. Dental Hygienists who are current voting members of the DHPAG Executive Committee are ineligible during their term with the DHPAG.

Nomination criteria:
Email the cover sheet, Narrative (which addresses the four criteria provided), and CV to:

LTJG Paige Geffre
paige.geffre@dhs.gov

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