Contact: Amy Gilliam

Bryan Christensen and Molly Thurmond

Now in its 93 rd year, the Hinman Dental Meeting attracts more than 23,000 dental professionals annually to participate in lectures, courses, and special programs designed for dentists, hygienists, assistants, laboratory technicians and office staff. Technical exhibits, totaling more than 900 booths, showcase new products, equipment and services.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 21, 2005) -- Two University of Kentucky College of Dentistry third-year students, Molly Thurmond of Franklin, Ky., and Bryan Christensen, of Murray, Utah, were all smiles after they were awarded national scholarships from the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Society.

The awards were presented Saturday, March 19, at a special luncheon held at the 93 rd Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta.

Thurmond is currently ranked second in her class. She is interested in general dentistry and plans to join a private practice in the future.

“Molly is a dedicated student who excels in the classroom and plays an active role as treasurer for both her class and the local University of Kentucky American Student Dental Association Chapter,” said Dr. Sharon P. Turner, dean, UK College of Dentistry. “She is confident young lady who is appreciated by her patients, faculty and classmates for her sincere, responsible attitude. She will be an outstanding professional.”

Christensen, Class of 2006 vice president, is currently ranked first in his class. He is also an active participant in student research.

“Bryan is an exceptional student who is highly regarded by the students, faculty, staff for his enthusiasm and great attitude,” Turner said. “He is an involved class officer and a regular participant in the Saturday Morning Clinic program at UK. His commitment to dentistry and his strong aspirations for post doctoral education will only ensure Bryan’s ability to succeed in all his professional endeavors.”

This year, the society provided scholarships and gifts totaling more than $250,000 to dental, hygiene and laboratory technician students at 33 southeastern colleges and universities, as well as dental education groups and clinics. This amount is the largest awarded since the inception of the Hinman Scholars’ Program in 1986. Recipient schools are located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Society has promoted continuing education in the dental profession since 1912. It began granting scholarships to dental students in 1986, adding dental hygiene students to the program in 1989 and laboratory technician students in 2003. Recipients are selected by the dean of each school’s dentistry, dental hygiene and laboratory technician departments and must be junior student members of the American Dental Association (ADA) as well as place in the top 10 percent of their class.

Student recipients of the scholarships are known as “Hinman Scholars.” In addition to receiving scholarship money, Hinman Scholars were invited to attend the Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta.

Now in its 93 rd year, the Hinman Dental Meeting attracts more than 23,000 dental professionals annually to participate in lectures, courses, and special programs designed for dentists, hygienists, assistants, laboratory technicians and office staff. Technical exhibits, totaling more than 900 booths, showcase new products, equipment and services.

The Hinman program meets the continuing education requirements set by the Academy of General Dentistry and State Boards of Dentistry. For additional information about the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting, visit the Web site.