Megan Moore
RUNNER UP WINNER
School: Indiana University School of Dentistry
Graduation: December 2028
Bio: My dream is to use my career in dental hygiene to give back to the community that has given so much to me. Some of my biggest passions are my faith, dance, oral health, and the youth. It is so important to give children great dental experiences so they will continue to choose to take care of their health. As a current NFL cheerleader, I would love to partner with our organization when I graduate to offer free cleanings at low income schools in our city. Bringing our mascot, cheerleaders, and other special components could elevate their dental experience to be such a positive one. I truly believe that my knowledge of dentistry and the great impact of the NFL team in my city could intertwine to leave lasting, generational impacts. I hope to inspire others to discover how their passions can connect to make a difference.
Atiria Simms
RUNNER UP WINNER
School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Graduation: May 2027
Bio: I am a senior dental hygiene student at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a passion for oral health education, research, advocacy, and improving access to care for underserved populations. My experiences as a student have strengthened my commitment to advancing the dental hygiene profession and exploring the many ways dental hygienists can make an impact beyond the clinical setting.
At VCU, I serve as Advocacy Chair for the Student Chapter of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (SCADHA), Dental Hygiene Liaison for the American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), and Co-Chair of the Academia and Research Committee for the ADEA District 4 Cabinet. I also served as a student delegate for the Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association (VDHA) House of Delegates. Through these roles, I have promoted oral health awareness, encouraged collaboration among dental and dental hygiene students, and continued to develop my understanding of professional leadership, governance, and advocacy.
Research and education have become important parts of my professional journey, and presenting has reinforced my interest in evidence-based practice and shown me how research can inform patient care and contribute to the future of dental hygiene. Attending professional conferences and participating in virtual events have also allowed me to connect with hygienists in different roles and explore career opportunities beyond traditional clinical practice.
My long-term goals include pursuing a master’s degree in dental hygiene and eventually a doctoral degree in public administration. I aim to make significant contributions in dental hygiene education and research, and advocating for policies that improve access to oral healthcare and support the profession’s continued growth. I also aspire to become one of the relatively few registered dental hygienists to own a practice. I envision creating a prevention-focused practice centered on individualized care, patient education, and expanding access to preventive services. Ultimately, I hope to build a career that combines clinical practice, education, research, and advocacy. I want to support future dental hygienists, inspire others to explore opportunities within the profession, and help make preventive oral healthcare more accessible to the communities that need it most.
Gabrielle Conrow
GRAND PRIZE WINNER
School: Shawnee State University
Graduation: May 2027
Bio: I am so thrilled to bring back the systemic knowledge I have learned. So many in my community could benefit from a genuine conversation about the interactions between the mouth and the overall body. Simply explaining to them that a healthier mouth can improve other health problems they are facing is enough to at least sway many of the members in my community, I believe. I hope to use my career to reach my patients, use my career to teach students at local career centers, and use my future career to build different programs throughout the local rural community schools to share the message about oral healthcare. I think my community needs more than just the oral homecare instructions- they need it to be personal. A personal connection to periodontal disease. A personal conviction to take care of their mouths. I hope to also go to collaborate with local girl scouts or boy scouts ( I am a former gold award girl scout ) to create a free box with healthcare supplies, instructions, and education in our community. This brings together professionals with passionate, driven youth. Overall, I want to use my future career as an RDH as a platform to jump off of as I work to educate my community.
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