Honorary Membership

Honorary Member Award presented to Donna Nelson-Rinehart
ADHA President, Jean Connor (left) and NMDHA President, Cindy Purdy (right) present Donna (center) with NMDHA's highest honor, honorary membership.

Honorary Membership to the New Mexico Dental Hygienists Association (NMDHA) is one of our most prestigious awards. An honorary member is not a licensed hygienist but a person who values preventive oral health care, has had a positive impact on the dental hygiene profession and served as an advocate in community partnerships. Since 1959, NMDHA has awarded this honor to five individuals. At the 2007 Annual Session, our association presented Donna Nelson-Rinehart with NMDHA Honorary Membership.

During Ms. Nelson-Rinehart’s career as a dental representative she was also a dedicated mother focused on her children’s oral health care habits. At every semi-annual visit for her children she wanted to know how oral diseases started, what she could do the prevent them and the status of each and every one of her children. She wanted them to have healthy gums and be cavity free. Donna has always been a proactive proponent of oral health, instilling basic oral hygiene rituals in her children and their friends and educating other mothers about the importance of good daily oral care habits.

In 2000, Oral B recruited Donna as their New Mexico, West Texas, and Southern Colorado dental professional representative. This was her dream come true. Donna’s passion for optimal preventive care and love of people, especially dental hygienists made her an instant success. Her warm personality, knowledge of her products and her determination to do whatever it takes to prevent dental disease were remarkable. Dentists and dental hygienists across all three states switched to Oral B products for their patients because of Donna’s dedication.

Oral B trusted and respected Ms Nelson-Rinehart’s opinion about where they should invest their community donations of products or dollars. Donna played no favorites; she has always treated everyone as equals. Urban, rural or individual community projects Donna did her best to help raise oral health awareness. School presentations, community health fairs, mission trips and our state “Hygienists Make Healthy Smiles Program” were all recipients of Donna’s efforts and hard work to stay true to her mission.

Times change, companies evolve and Donna was called to Sullivan Schein Dental. Her employer might have changed but Donna did not. She continues her commitment to oral health care throughout New Mexico. Sullivan Schein believes in Donna just like the dental hygienists in New Mexico do. Donna, thank you for the passion and commitment to ensure we continue the fight in preventing oral disease and strive towards a lifetime of healthy happy smiles for everyone. Donna Nelson-Rinehart our 2007 NMDHA Honorary Member.

Lisa Esparza RDH MSDH