Vigil receives prestigious dental hygienists’ award

Mary Vigil, RDH, owner and operator of Grand Mesa Dental Hygiene in Delta, was recently awarded the prestigious Ethel Covington Award. Ethel Covington was a Denver dental hygienist, who as an educator influenced the profession of dental assisting. She authored a book in 1948, "The Efficient Dental Assistant."

This was the first book published used in teaching dental assistant duties in the dental office.

The award was presented by Colorado Dental Association president Dr. Ken Peters at the Colorado Dental Hygienists' Association 90th annual session held in Denver Oct. 5 and 6.

The Ethel Covington Award is given to a Colorado dental hygienist who exhibits the following characteristics:

• Improving the oral health of the public.

• Advancing the art and science of dental hygiene.

• Representing and protecting the interest of the dental hygiene profession.

• Improving the professional competence of dental hygienists.

• Fostering research in oral health.

• Providing professional communications in a manner consistent with the American Dental Hygienists' Association Code of Ethics.

Vigil has been involved with furthering the dental heath of Delta County residents and providing services for such programs as Head Start, BELA Preschool, Western Colorado AHEC Caring for Colorado, the Family Literacy and Resource Program, school screenings and Region 10 AAA, which provides dental prevention services for older adults. She has also participated in "Cavity Free at Three," a co-location research project with Pediatric Associates and the University of Colorado.

Vigil says she owes her passion for dental hygiene to her mentor and father, Murray Powell, DDS (deceased), her husband Don who encouraged and supported her in opening a dental hygiene practice with direct access to care, and her friends and patients in Delta who have supported her over the past 10 years.

• < Prev
• Next >