(Bradenton, Fla., May 3, 2024) — Fifteen dental hygiene students from State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF), were honored with their white coats and dental hygiene pins on May 1 at SCF’s Neel Performing Arts Center. The ceremony commenced with warm greetings from Toni McLeroy, Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene, and Michelle Nunez, the class president. Joleyn Carriveau, a dental hygienist, past president of the Florida Dental Hygienists’ Association, esteemed Home Dental to You owner, and an independent professional educator at Waterpik Inc., graced the event as the community guest speaker.

Throughout the evening, student excellence was celebrated through various awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in patient care, patient education, community service, and academic proficiency. Manatee Dental Society provided grant funding for the award recipients. The recipients were:

• Academic Achievement Award: Mariah Yoder
• Patient Education Award: Mikayla Brito
• Colgate Star Award: Rita Intriago
• Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler Award: Angelica Wilches

Furthermore, the West Coast Dental Hygienists’ Association acknowledged Michelle Nunez, a student who exemplified leadership qualities in the field of dental hygiene.  

It is worth noting that SCF’s dental hygiene students have consistently achieved a 100% pass rate on the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam. The white coat ceremony marks a significant milestone for many graduates, signifying the conclusion of licensure board examinations, including the dental hygiene clinical exam earlier in the day.

For information about SCF’s dental hygiene program, visit SCF.edu/DentalHygiene.