WVU dental hygiene students help facilitate statewide oral health summit
When dental professionals from across the state gathered for the annual West Virginia Oral Health Summit, students from the West Virginia University School of Dentistry were on hand to facilitate breakout sessions covering important topics for improved oral health.
Students Ava Kelly, Kyra Kerr, Yazna Riddick, and Katelyn Ross represented the School as moderators for two sessions each. The four students are seniors in the B.S. in Dental Hygiene program.
“We are grateful for the invitation for our senior dental hygiene students to participate,” Elizabeth Southern Puette, RDH, MSDH, assistant professor in the Department of Dental Hygiene, said. “They were stellar additions to the conference experience, and I’m proud to see them dedicate time to service and leadership opportunities.
“Conferences such as the WV Oral Health Summit provide our students with a great environment to meet oral health professionals from the state and national level and to reinforce the importance of lifelong learning in our career.”
This year’s summit, hosted by the WV Oral Health Coalition, was held in Bridgeport on Sept. 5 and featured multiple plenary sessions and breakout sessions and a vendor fair. The event gives oral health professionals, advocates, and community members the opportunity to discuss the latest advancements, share best practices, and collaborate on innovative solutions to enhance oral health for all.
The breakout sessions shared information with participants about the youth vaping epidemic, access to care for vulnerable populations, human papillomavirus (HPV) and its connection to oral health, and skills for interacting with pediatric patients.
“The Oral Health Summit gave me the chance to learn from and engage with others dedicated to improving oral health in our communities,” Riddick, of Bensalem, PA, said.
As the moderator for ‘Catch My Breath: A Rapid Response to the Youth Vaping Epidemic,’ she said the session provided her with the tools to educate parents and youth on the effects of vaping, a skill she can carry into her career.
“This experience reinforced the importance of staying informed and involved in addressing emerging public health issues. It inspires me to continue seeking out professional opportunities after graduation so I can make a meaningful impact on my community through ongoing learning and advocacy for oral health.”
In addition to the student moderators, Puette served as a featured speaker for the HPV session along with Lauren Wright, DSc, MPH, program director for Mountains of Hope Cancer Coalition. Their presentation, titled “HPV, HPV Vaccination, and My Dental Office: What’s the Connection?,” focused on prevention, identification, and treatment for positive oral health outcomes.
Meghan Bastin, DMD, MPH, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, also participated in the event as a representative of the West Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. With support from chapter president Dr. Kenda Martin, Dr. Bastin shared public health and pediatric dentistry information with attendees, including the WV Oral Health Report Card and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on nonrestorative treatments for carious lesions.
The event was organized by WV Oral Health Coalition Executive Director Gina Sharps, MPH, RDH. Sharps is a graduate of the WVU School of Dentistry and a Professional Fellow of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.
Students enrolled in the WVU School of Dentistry dental hygiene program receive strong patient care experiences with a science and liberal arts education. Extensive hands-on curriculum ensures students are confident and prepared to meet the public's oral healthcare needs. For more information, visit go.wvu.edu/dental-hygiene.
Photo at top: Yazna Riddick, Kyra Kerr, Elizabeth Southern Puette, Katelyn Ross, Ava Kelly and Dr. Meghan Bastin
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jw/9/17/25
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