University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences Professor Karen Skaff recently won the Alfred C. Fones Award from the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA). The Alfred C. Fones Award is given to someone who has made lasting contributions to the dental hygiene profession for more than 25 years. Skaff received the honor at the 93rd Annual Session of the ADHA Center for Lifelong Learning held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in June.

Skaff is the former chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences and a professor in the Division of Health Sciences Education and Research. In 2014, Skaff was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry. In 2011, she won the Richard Kingston Award for Teaching in the College of Health Sciences. Skaff has more than 30 published presentations, papers and other scholarly work.

Skaff started her oral health education in 1968 studying oral hygiene at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Dental Medicine. She earned her bachelor's degree in education from California State University, her master's degree in dentistry from Columbia University, and her doctoral degree in educational policy studies and evaluation from UK.

The ADHA strives to help dental hygienists achieve their full potential as they look to improve the public's oral health. ADHA ensures hygienists access to quality oral health care, promoting dental hygiene education, licensure, practice and research.

Media Contact:  Laura Dawahare, Laura.Dawahare@uky.edu, (859) 257-5307