McWherter named program director for Dental Hygiene

Jayne McWherter, R.D.H.

UT Dental Branch Dean Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., announced that Jayne McWherter, R.D.H., has been named program director for the School of Dental Hygiene. McWherter had been serving as interim program director since June 2007. She is a 1975 graduate of UTDB and earned a certificate in dental hygiene. She entered practice while continuing her education at the University of Texas Medical Branch, School of Allied Health Sciences in Galveston. In 1981 McWherter earned a bachelor of science degree in health care sciences with a certificate of proficiency in teaching. In 1985, she earned a master's degree in allied health education and administration from the University of Houston.

McWherter has been a Dental Branch faculty member for more than 20 years, and during that time, she has directed 14 courses in the dental hygiene curriculum, held an administrative position as clinic coordinator and facilitator, and served as president of the UTDB Faculty Senate. She also participated in a collaborative effort between the UT Health Science Center at Houston and the UT TeleCampus, operating at the UT System administration level and serving as course director for one of four courses offered in the dental hygiene distance education degree completion program.

Sanford J. “Sandy” Fenton, D.D.S.

Dr. Fenton, Pediatric Dentistry chair,
speaks on 'dental home' concept

Professor Sanford J. “Sandy” Fenton, D.D.S., chair of the UTDB Department of Pediatric Dentistry, was a guest speaker at a Sept. 18-19 meeting of experts to discuss the concept of a dental home. The event was sponsored by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau in Washington, D.C. The meeting, one of a series over the past several years addressing cutting-edge maternal and child oral health issues, was convened by the bureau in the context of increased national focus on the oral health needs of young children.

Donna Warren-Morris, R.D.H, receives the trophy from Desi Knuckles of Procter & Gamble.

Procter & Gamble teaching award
goes to UTDB faculty member

Donna Warren-Morris, R.D.H., is the winner of the 2007-08 Procter & Gamble Teacher Excellence Award. She was recognized at the Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association meeting in September in Austin. The award comes with a $500 cash prize and a traveling trophy, which is now on display at the Dental Branch.

Warren-Morris is an associate professor in the Periodontics Department of the UT Dental Branch School of Dental Hygiene. Each year Procter and Gamble recognizes a strong, effective teacher who demonstrates outstanding teaching skills, whether in the classroom or clinic. While research, publications and various other activities are important, the company considers outstanding teaching to be key to producing competent dental hygienists.

Pink foil yogurt lids can advance cancer research A collection box is now in place outside the UT Dentists faculty practice office on the first floor (Room 101) to collect Yoplait® yogurt lids in support of breast cancer research through the company's "Save Lids to Save Lives" program. For every pink lid dropped off, Yoplait® will donate 10 cents to Susan G. Komen for the Cure,® up to $1.5 million, with a guarantee of at least $500,000. The money goes to cancer research and treatment throughout the country. Chrystal Pierce, R.D.H., encourages everyone to participate by dropping off clean, pink Yoplait® yogurt lids. To join the online team, UT Dental Branch, and to view the team's lid tracker, visit http://www.yourlidmatters.com/. The team code is 112002. Pierce stressed that the lids should be washed and dried before going in the box, and only the pink foil lids should be dropped off - not the plastic caps on some Yoplait® products. Questions? Contact Pierce at 713-500-4200 or Chrystal.Pierce@uth.tmc.edu.