Special Coverage | 2007 BreathRx Hygienist of the Year

BreathRx Hygienist of the Year

Beverly Hills embraces a new breed of celebrity: Dental hygienists.

by Thais Carter | photography by Bob Torrez

Rewarding. Flexible. Relational. Fun. These are the words typically used to describe a career in dental hygiene. It’s rare that anyone uses the word “glamorous” to describe a day, let alone a decade, in the profession. Yet, for the five well-deserving BreathRx Hygienist of the Year finalists, long overdue opportunities for glamour and recognition were the focus of a three-day getaway in Beverly Hills.

Following the dynamic launch of the BreathRx Hygienist of the Year award in 2006, Discus Dental set out to, once again, find five people who represent the passion, drive, and commitment of the dental hygiene profession. CEO Robert Hayman originally developed the idea as part of a group brainstorming session at Discus Dental. “The award was originally designed to honor the unsung work that hygienists do day in and day out,” Mr. Hayman says. “It was a way for BreathRx to give back to the people who had been such influential supporters of the brand.”

narrowing the field

Hundreds of hygienists sent in application forms, curriculum vitae, patient and colleague evaluations, and care plans, all hoping they could be the one. “Last year’s applications were strong, so going into year two we had high expectations,” says Mark Gersh, director of professional oral hygiene products for Discus. “We ended up, however, very impressed with the qualifications of all the candidates. It was difficult selecting the final five.”

When the chosen ladies finally got the call congratulating them, no one could have been more surprised than the finalists themselves. “I stopped breathing actually,” Lori Totten, RDH, remembers with a laugh. The other ladies—Pamela de Leon Lim, RDH; Arvie Malik, RDH, BS; Rene Stephenson, RDH; and Anastasia Turchetta, RDH—also voiced feelings of shock, being overwhelmed and (believe it or not) speechlessness.

Hailing from across the United States—North Carolina, Michigan, Texas and California—the women represent a diversity of style, technique and gifts, with each one bringing something special to the mix that qualified her to be considered for Hygienist of the Year.

star treatment

Accompanied by their Discus hostesses, the finalists arrived separately at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel. Each one was greeted with a dazzling bouquet of flowers, a photographer, and representatives from Discus and Modern Hygienist. “Based on suggestions from last year’s finalists, we brought the contestants in a day earlier this year,” explains Steve Miller, director of event marketing for Discus. “We wanted to give them more time together as a group.”

From the entryway, the ladies were ushered to their rooms, which featured gorgeous views, Sprinkles cupcakes—Oprah’s favorite—and an overstuffed gift basket of goodies (for a peek into the basket, see “Fantastic Freebies,” right). With ready smiles, the women quickly adapted to their entourage. “I don’t remember how I got to my room exactly,” Ms. Malik says, “but I know I felt like a queen.”

After a casual dinner and drinks, it was time to rest up for the whirlwind to come.

Date with Dorfman
The first stop for the finalists was a tour of the Century City Aesthetic Dentistry facility, office of Dr. Bill Dorfman, co-founder of Discus Dental and one of the doctors behind ABC’s “Extreme Makeover.” Scheduled in between morning appointments and a taping for the Tyra Banks show, Dr. Dorfman still managed to give the ladies his undivided attention, speaking to them candidly on a variety of topics—from the impact of “Ugly Betty” on “Extreme Makeover,” to match-making, writing his book, and future goals. Several of his dental hygienists also stopped by to offer their congratulations. Each finalist left with an autographed copy of Dr. Dorfman’s book, Billion Dollar Smile:



California dreamin’. Clockwise from top left: Anastasia Turchetta is warmly greeted at the Beverly Wilshire by Steve Miller, Discus’ director of event marketing. Rene Stephenson sinks into one of the hotel’s cushy beds. Riding around in a limo all week gave the ladies—here, Ms. Turchetta and Arvie Malik—a chance to bond and debrief. Lori Totten with Robert Hayman, CEO of Discus Dental, at the progressive dinner. To start the evening, Mr. Hayman offered a toast to the ladies. Finalist Pamela de Leon Lim “holds hands” with George Clooney outside Mann’s Chinese Theater. The finalists were so popular, even Elvis wanted in on the act. Atop the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, the ladies clown around for paparazzo Bob Torrez. A highlight of the week, the finalists pose with Dr. Bill Dorfman, co-founder of Discus Dental, at his office.

A Complete Guide to Your Extreme Smile Makeover.

On the way out, everyone commented on the doctor’s approachability and candor. Summing it up, “He seems like your ordinary dentist; just a lot of fun,” Ms. Stephenson says.

Access Hollywood
From meeting a celebrity to playing celebrity, the finalists were whisked away to Mann’s Chinese Theater—a Hollywood landmark—and the adjacent Kodak Theater for pictures. Tourists were heard whispering about just who these five women were; a few even began videotaping the finalists. After taking a few snapshots with Captain Jack Sparrow, Batman and Elvis impersonators, the ladies left—faux Oscars in hand—for lunch at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Lunch break
Walking out onto the patio of the Beverly Hills Hotel’s Polo Lounge, the shady palm trees, big white umbrellas, and quiet hum of conversation make it seem like another world.

Amidst conversations about anesthesia, dental assisting, movies and lingual bars, the group almost didn’t notice when Magic Johnson, Demi Moore and Matthew Perry also made their way outside. No words were exchanged with the L.A. elite, but the ladies didn’t mind bcause in the end, “It felt really natural,” Ms. Turchetta explains. “The stars were like normal people and we felt like we were part of it.” (continued on page 2)

1 of 3