VCDHA Newsletter Fall 2009

I get to see Elaine's work everyday. She has incorporated these words into her life and into her students thinking. Each of her students is required to give time in the community and at the Free Clinic I am involved in. Elaine built this into the program curriculum. Each of those students shares the knowledge Elaine has given them and many of them return after graduation to volunteer again.
Patients who sit in her chair are enlightened daily as Elaine is insistent on staying up to date on the latest information on disease prevention and identification. She uses chair time to be in relationship with the patient and to enlighten patients about their oral and full body health. She has identified diseases and more over given patients information for disease prevention on a daily basis. Elaine shared with me that her patients are like a puzzle, she loves working with them so that she can find that one missing piece, that one thing that explains what is happening in their life that created what she sees in their mouth. She said "When I put myself in relationship with the patient I often find that one piece that is missing, they share with me their life, their habits and their dreams. I love being able to help them bring health to themselves. I was once confused about a patients oral health after root planning. He just was not healing right. I had reviewed his health history each visit and finally asked him again about his diet. He shared with me that he had not been eating much as his wife was ill. The missing piece was right there. When I told him that if he wanted to take care of his wife he had to take care of himself.  Things changed. I was able to refer him to meals on wheels and in a small way help solve his problem. "
If that was not enough, when it comes to public education then Elaine's presence in the community and nation is. Elaine lost her beloved brother in a tragic train "accident" that was unnecessary and truly preventable. Some would retreat and be a victim. Elaine refused to do that, she used the media coverage and public exposure as a means to educate others on the problem with the trains so that the situation could be changed. Elaine was part of the solution making sure that no else had to experience the pain she had endured.
Elaine has done more for the community than any hygienist that I know. It all started in dental hygiene school when Elaine took her community dental hygiene class. Elaine was hooked. She has been involved in many community activities ever since, working with our local dental hygiene component, dental society, Free Dental Clinic and local dental hygiene program at Oxnard College. Her goal is to improve dental care and knowledge to thousands of adults and children.
Elaine wanted all the students involved in the local dental hygiene component so she developed a program. Her program gets them involved while in school and then mentors and matches students after graduation to a job in the component. This program has grown our component and help student's transition into being a member smoothly. Elaine is truly the favorite teacher of thousands of students and they depend on her not only because of the education she provides but the support and encouragement. I cannot help but think of the thousands of patients that are receiving superior care because Elaine insists that the students develop superior clinical skills and patient education skills.
I think the accomplishment Elaine is most proud of is when she helped implement a grant for brushing, flossing and a weekly fluoride rinse program for school age children. Ten years later she began to teach community dental health at Oxnard College Dental Hygiene program. She had come full circle. Now her dental hygiene students provide the education and fluoride varnish treatments to thousands of children each year. Her current project involves implementing a xylitol program in school districts where the children will be given xylitol mints after eating their breakfast and lunches. This will help prevent and reduce tooth decay from lack of brushing after meals. This will be a habit they will continue through education and example for life.
Elaine is never satisfied. She is never content with the minimum. She is always looking for another way to change the lives of her students, her patients and the community. Her visions and work will be seen for generations to come. Her unimaginable dreams are now a part of the community and make a difference in the lives of thousands. It is a pleasure to nominate this highly deserving dedicated hygienist for this award. 
 Sincerely, Noel Kelsch RDHAP