Activity Coming Up!

You've asked for it, we've got it! We are thrilled to announce an upcoming activity for our dental community. Join us for a free family picnic on Monday, July 15th at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. Then continue the fun at the Salt Lake Bees game by purchasing a $10 discounted ticket (regularly $30!) to join the Alliance in our group of seats as we watch the Bees take on the Sacramento River Cats. As an extra fun perk, that night is Super Hero night and there will be fireworks after the game! Come one, come all as we join together for wholesome family fun and as we welcome dentists and their loved ones from around the state of Utah!

Festivities begin at 5:30 PM at the Rice Terrace Pavilion in Liberty Park (700E 900 S Salt Lake City, UT), but please remember to RSVP by July 1st so we know how much food to provide. You can send your RSVP and any questions to Janette Sonnenberg at  (801) 580-0123 or at janettesonnenberg@gmail.com. Following the picnic, the game at the ballpark will begin at 7:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you there!

Dental Health Fair 2019

The morning of Friday, April 26th, Alliance members worked together with community members to put on a dental health fair for underprivileged school children. As part of the Utah Dental Convention, Alliance members and friends taught over 200 first grade students to "SMILE" at five different interactive stations. Following the stations, students enjoyed the presentation of the iconic dental health marionette show our Alliance members have been doing for years.

Students from James E. Moss Elementary joined us for last year's health fair, and were more than excited to be welcomed back. New to this year's festivities were first graders from Lincoln Elementary as well as dental assisting students from AmeriTech College, who helped demonstrate and participate at the five stations.

Elementary students were bused to the Salt Palace Center. Stacia Chavez, outgoing president of the Alliance, led the students through the Convention Center to our meeting room. "There were a lot of people who got huge smiles on their faces when we were leading the students through the Convention Center to the health fair," Chavez said.

The excitement didn't stop there, however. Upon return to the schools following the dental health fair, teachers of the students commented that the kids were interested with tons of questions about their teeth and things they had learned while at the fair. Melanie Roundy, Alliance member and co-organizer of the health fair, commented that the students learned about things that "we take for granted. They just had no idea. Many have been in refugee camps and what we teach them makes a big impact."

Students are sent home with a dental health kit that includes a toothbrush, floss, toothpaste, stickers, pencils, and various other educational materials about dental health.

The Alliance sends a HUGE thank you to Melanie Roundy and Becky Richards, our dental health education board members, for all of the preparation, arrangements, hours, etc. that they put in to make this health fair a success yet again!

"S" -- Shine at Brushing

Students learn to brush their teeth through the use of oversized teeth models.

Baylee, Melissa, and Betty get the students excited to brush their teeth!

With Betty Cowley's help, students get to take a look at what really is chomping inside those mouths.

Ready, Set, Brush -- indeed!

All hands on deck as Melissa Haws teaches about brushing teeth

For some of these students, this is an introduction to the "how to" of brushing.

Baylee, Melissa, and Betty work together to teach how to brush.

Teamwork is dreamwork.

Enthralled students!

Hands-on experience!

Baylee Haws sure knows how to wield that toothbrush!

"M" -- My Mouth is Important

Julie Thomson reads to her audience.

Checking her notes, Julie makes sure they cover it all.

Accurate books on dental health are a great teaching resource.

Dixie Poole helps the students identify and become familiar with their own teeth.

"I" -- I Fight Decay

Shawn Schouten uses a germ puppet to educate her group.

Students look on as Paula explains how teeth decay and how dentists help people have healthy mouths.

Paula Davis leading her group in the fight against tooth decay!

Shawn answers questions while dental assisting students look on in the back of the group.

Students were ready to learn and anxious to ask questions.

Fight tooth decay!

"L" -- Learn to Floss

Janette and a student show the crowd how pudding can be wiped off the surface of teeth (fingers) but will not come out from between the "teeth" until flossing occurs.

Sharon greets students as they rotate in to her station.

Janette Sonnenberg works one-on-one with a student to demonstrate the need to floss.

Sometimes, even dinosaur teeth need flossing!

Heidi Jones teaches how to hold floss.

Sharon Wiest shows students how to properly floss -- on a dinosaur puppet!

Now that's a big piece of floss! After this demonstration, students had a blast using oversized floss and tooth t-shirts on peers to practice getting clean down in between the teeth.

"E" -- Eat Healthy Foods

As we know, eating healthy foods goes a long way to keeping good oral hygiene. At this station, Teresa Theuer and Cathy Robinson taught students about the sugar content of various foods, and played a magnetic foods game to help the students learn to identify what foods are best.

Students loved all the games they got to play along with their learning!

Cathy helps the students identify healthy food choices.

Our goal is to help students become proficient at choosing good oral hygiene for themselves. Here, Teresa looks on to ensure these students understand what foods to choose.

Each group of students rotated around so as to see every station.

Is it healthy or unhealthy?

Teresa Theuer and Cathy Robinson teach the students about Eating Healthy Foods

Marionette Show and Closing

Stacia Chavez greets the students as they gather to review what they learned about "SMILE" at all five stations.

Shawn, Cathy, Paula, and Julie help Dr. FossilRock tell his story and remind us to "Brush, brush, brush, brush, brush your teeth!"

Paula and Sharon work together to tell the marionette story.

Shawn and Cathy delight the crowd with the show's musical adventure of dental health.

Cathy, Shawn, Julie, Paula, and Sharon are very practiced at the marionette show, as they've been working together for years teaching students across Utah about dental health.

2019 Alliance Luncheon

On Friday, April 26th, we enjoyed our annual Alliance luncheon in association with the Utah Dental Association Convention. Highlights of the event included a guest speaker of Elaine Dalton, over 90 attendees, and a "changing of the guard" to welcome in our new board, as well as a delicious lunch, door prizes, and many connections and conversations. Our view from the Sharon Room of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building was unmatched, and our centerpieces, made by our very own Melissa Haws, literally lit up the table. We welcome all new and returning Alliance members, and we are so delighted to have had the chance to meet you at our luncheon!

Attendees check in at the entrance table, run by Teresa Theurer and Cathy Robinson.

Janette Sonnenberg (2019 AUDA President), guest speaker Elaine Dalton, and Stacia Chavez (2018 AUDA President)

Elaine Dalton spoke to us about a "Reason to Smile" and reminded us of the power of women and the power of our Alliance. We can make a difference in doing what we do, and we should never doubt the validity or power of our good influence in our communities. Elaine posed the question, "Have I done what I was put on earth to do?" and challenged us to do all we could to be able to answer "Yes!"

Elaine Dalton, speaker at our luncheon

New President Janette Sonnenberg and Most Recent President Stacia Chavez
(I spy one big set of teeth!)

Attendees gather and chat immediately after the luncheon.

Attendees gather and chat immediately after the luncheon.

Attendees gather and chat immediately after the luncheon.

From Our President:

We are so lucky to live in the great state of Utah and to have so many natural resources and beauty surrounding us.  Every time I stop to take in the scenery, I'm left in awe.  The same can be said about other resources surrounding us in the dental community.  We have wonderful organizations and people constantly aiding our cities and towns.  The Alliance to the Utah Dental Association is one of the best resources for dental health that is offered in Utah.  As our motto says, we come together to promote oral health, ensure the well being of the dental family, and further responsible legislation in regards to dentistry.

The essential constituents of our organization are clearly the spouse members who donate time, effort, supplies, and money; we participate to help others in need and what better way than to join forces with the workforce that provides so many blessings to us.  As a vital branch of the Utah Dental Association, AUDA works with dentists to provide dental health education in classrooms, medical offices, and at community events. The results are immeasurable as more and more people start taking a proactive approach to their own dental health.

The benefits are many, and the need continues to grow as Utah's population increases.  More volunteers are absolutely necessary for the organization to continue so successfully. Instead of thinking "I just can't give any more _______ (time, effort, money, supplies,) why don't we start saying to ourselves, "If I can just give this much, it will help someone in need."  Do what you can and join us in such a rewarding and needed cause as we continue to keep Utah beautiful, one healthy smile at a time.

Stacia Chavez

President

Alliance to the Utah Dental Association

2017-18 DUES are due:)

Are you  interested in:

 

· Dental health education projects in your community    

· Practice management information

· Dental health education projects statewide

· Meeting people with similar concerns

· Helping other members with a project       

· Well being of the dental family

· Learning more about Alliance benefits

· Legislative issues impacting dentistry  

· Having a mentor/buddy

· Meeting other spouses and having fun

...Then Becoming a member of the AUDA is for you!

JOIN US!

 

 

AUDA Membership

The three membership categories:

Active Member – If you are the spouse of an active, life or retired UDA member, or the spouse of a deceased UDA member, you qualify for this membership.  The cost of this membership is only $70 annually.  This includes membership in the Alliance of the American Dental Association.

Student Spouse Member - If your spouse or significant other is a dental student you qualify for this membership.  The annual cost of this membership is only $5 and your membership year will run September 1 through August 31.

Contributing Member – Supporters of the Alliance can show their support of the AUDA by paying a membership fee of $70 annually.  Examples of members that qualify for this category of membership are spouses of Alliance members (i.e. the dentist) adult children working in the dental practice, dental staff members, and professional colleagues in the dental industry. 

 MEMBERSHIP RUNS SEPTEMBER 1 THROUGH AUGUST 31.

Dues can be paid with Dentist UDA dues -- or send to Teresa Theurer, AUDA treasurer.

 

 

 

 

AUDA President's Message

HI! My name is Melissa Haws. As a mother of 4 children, a wife to a dentist, a business owner, Utah Alliance president, a photographer, and a newly called Stake Primary President - I guess you could say that life can be crazy at times. Quite often there is so much going on that it’s hard to FOCUS on what’s important. 

Over the last ten years I have developed a love and a passion for taking photos.  Recently, I discovered that photography is a great metaphor for life.   “ Life is like a camera. “Focus” on what’s important, “capture” the good times. “Develop” from the “negatives,” if things don’t work out take another shot.”

We all could use a reminder to FOCUS on the GOOD and IMPORTANT thing of LIFE.

 For me personally, volunteering and serving as a member of the Alliance of the Utah Dental Association has given me the opportunity to be involved in what I see as IMPORTANT THINGS.  I’ve enjoyed giving back while serving with other spouses of dentists throughout the great state of UTAH.  I have come to understand more fully that together, as spouses of dentists- we have the opportunity to make a difference.  

This year has been a treasured one for me serving as the President of the AUDA.  It has allowed me the opportunity to FOCUS and see the GOOD things happening in DENTISTRY and ORAL HEALTH.  Being a member of the Alliance has inspired me.  It has given me an avenue, and a passion to be part of the good in the world.  It offers many great things like; Give Kids a Smile, Healthy Smiles from the Start, Oral Health Education, Legislation, and friendships.

For me, it’s been an eye opener to see how your simple impact with service can surpass all your expectations, and bring much JOY.  Together with other great Alliance members we have felt compelled to share and give what we can.

 I came across a great book Unselfish-love thy neighbor as thy selfie by Paul Parkinson.  This book highlights 99 untold inspiring stories.  As I read the stories and looked at the photos in this book I thought a lot about the Alliance. The Alliance has reunited my faith in humanity and provides countless services opportunities.  It has inspired me to FOCUS a little more closely on giving back. 

“Making one person SMILE may not change the whole world, but it will change their world.” 

Alliance members have the opportunity to make a difference.  Whether, your service is on a small or large scale, it makes a difference!  I invite you all to attend and experience all the great opportunities  the Alliance has to offer.   FOCUS with me, on being part of a volunteering opportunity to do good. The Alliance provides an avenue to be part of important things, a very full-filling aspect of life.  It’s my hope that we will all focus on the GOOD! Be the GOOD!