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…

Dr. Maria Maranga revels in the role of “connector”. Yesterday, the American Dental Association House of Delegates voted the Aquebogue, New York endodontist as its second vice president, and she plans to put that proficiency to work immediately for 163,000 ADA member dentists across the U.S. “As an organization we must connect members with the tools they need to succeed in practice. As leaders we need to connect to the next generation to mentor our future leaders,” said Dr. Maranga,…

Meet the founder of two institutes and a university bachelor’s program, a front runner of advanced dental surgical techniques, an advocate for the oral care of 28,000 children and counting, the mind behind 100-plus medical devices and technology, an engineer of empowerment, and a unifier of oral health and medicine. They are Lucy Hobbs. Dr. Lucy Hobbs Taylor earned her dental degree in 1866, advancing equality for her gender. She defied nearly a decade of resistance, leading with clinical proficiency…

Though Dr. Lucy Hobbs Taylor was not alive 100 years ago today 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, no less!)  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…

As part of our new profile series on dental students and recent graduates, Alicia Briscoe, a third-year student at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, shares her experiences and advice with other dental students around the country. Check out her feature on our Instagram page! What’s been most fun in dental school? Learning about the various aspects of dentistry and how it’s much more than just “teeth,” also, the addition hands-on training. I know that once I start seeing…