As we prepare to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Lucy Hobbs Award, we reflect on Dr. Lucy Hobbs Taylor, the first woman in America to graduate with a dental degree and an instrument she most certainly had at her disposal – the tooth key. At one point in her autobiography, written in the third person, Lucy discusses her rise to prominence, after so many trials and tribulations: “Her reputation widened, until all Iowa knew of the woman that pulled teeth.”…

Last year, with the passing of Dr. Bettie R. McKaig, the first female vice president of the American Dental Association on February 3, dentistry lost one of its vibrant leaders. Her momentous firsts for women in the profession on international, national and regional levels offer even more inspiration because they were achieved by a person completely dedicated to patient care. Benco Dental honors women in dentistry year round through its Lucy Hobbs Project, but during March and Women’s History Month also…

As two successful Black women in dentistry, Dr. Deborah George, BSN, DDS and Dr. Nicole McGrath Barnes, DDS, FACD continue to trailblaze the way for aspiring young women of color to close the diversity gap in dental medicine. Their dedication to their careers and their communities has helped thousands gain access to adequate oral healthcare. Both women are alumni honorees of Benco’s Lucy Hobbs Project, which honors Dr. Lucy Hobbs Taylor who earned her dental degree in 1866, advancing equality…

According to Dr. Rella Christensen at the Driving Dentistry Forward podcast, restorative materials may be on the horizon that will “allow you to have all your bad habits and still control dental caries?” At least that’s her hope. The recipient of the Lucy Hobbs Project Industry Icon award shares her inspirational level of knowledge as a clinical researcher – and some lighthearted moments — in a discussion with Chuck Cohen, Driving Dentistry Forward podcast host, and Benco Dental Managing Director….

Last year, with the passing of Dr. Bettie R. McKaig, the first female vice president of the American Dental Association on February 3, dentistry lost one of its vibrant leaders. Her momentous firsts for women in the profession on international, national and regional levels offer even more inspiration because they were achieved by a person completely dedicated to patient care. Benco Dental honors women in dentistry year round through its Lucy Hobbs Project, but during March and Women’s History Month also…

Though Dr. Lucy Hobbs Taylor was not alive 100+ years ago to witness American women win full voting rights with the ratification of the 19th Amendment, she definitely forged a path to equality for her gender. By the time she had turned 28 (on her birthday, March 14, 1861)  Dr. Lucy Hobbs had opened a solo dental practice in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1866, when Dr. Hobbs earned her dental degree after defying nearly a decade of resistance, her goals aligned with other…

Dentistry, like every profession, could never move forward without all types of action takers: mentors, icons, innovators, humanitarians, clinical experts, women to watch, trailblazers. On #InternationalWomensDay, consider this collection of wisdom from a handful of award-winning women in dentistry. Spotlighted in 2020 by The Lucy Hobbs Project and Benco Dental, these seven women affect positive change every day and offer inspiration for us all. Nominate an inspirational woman in dentistry? Celebrate #InternationalWomensDay by nominating her for a 2021 Lucy Hobbs…

In 1981, U.S. Congress initiated the first Women’s History Week beginning March 7 of the following year. That led to Women’s History Month in 1987, and according to womenshistorymonth.gov, in 1995 U.S. presidents began annually designating the month of March as a celebration of the contributions women have made to the nation. Benco Dental honors women in dentistry year round through its Lucy Hobbs Project (Join free of charge every day!), but throughout March and Women’s History Month also recognizes…

Stepping outside the familiar. Fine-tuning clinical skills. Placing the needs of others above their own. Student-run mission trips at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry provide these opportunities and countless other life-changing moments for energetic young professionals. Funding can be a challenge, though, and in 2019, the Benco Family Foundation took action to assist. Chelsea Watkins, left, and Jessica Dinh. In 2019, Jessica Dinh and Chelsea Watkins (shown at top with a young patient) participated in student-run mission…

As leader of the world’s source for dental safety, Michelle Lee dedicates her talents to one mission: ensuring that “every dental visit is a safe visit.” The Executive Director of the Organization for Safety Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) draws from more than 30 years of experience in the dental and healthcare industries and a natural ability for networking to make that magic happen. Prior to OSAP, Lee worked at DDS Staffing Resources as president and CEO, where she specialized in…