Austin Oral Surgery, Benco Dental hosted a Giving Back event with the Lucy Hobbs Project to support the @Refuge Ranch for DMST in Austin on March 29.

In honor of women’s history month, Austin Oral Surgery hosted its first annual Lucy Hobbs Project Regional Event, “Empowering Women in Dentistry.” View images: Click here.

The event was organized with Benco Dental’s national initiative named to honor Dr. Lucy Hobbs Taylor, the first woman in the U.S. to earn a dental degree.  The Lucy Hobbs Project is designed to empower women in dentistry through education and networking opportunities. The Austin Oral Surgery event aimed to foster awareness about sex trafficking and provide tips for helping victims.

Attendees earned four continuing education credits and had the opportunity to dine, network, shop and learn. The event was also a fundraiser for The Refuge for Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST). The Refuge for DMST is a non-profit, therapeutic, residential community and foster-placement agency for girls ages 11 through 19, who have been rescued from sex traffickers.

“This program is designed to empower women through networking and education. We will be bringing awareness to our community about sex trafficking in the Central Texas area as well as raising money for The Refuge for DMST,” says Renee Dixon, Marketing Director for Austin Oral Surgery.

“When you do an oral exam, certain conditions inside the mouth can indicate a victim, so the dental community is in a unique position to make a big difference.”

Austin Oral Surgery has been serving the community for nearly 50 years. Doctors James Fricke and Sam Fason established Austin Oral Surgery with one goal in mind: to put patients first. Austin Oral Surgery continues that legacy of patient-centered care today, treating patients with a wide variety of oral/maxillofacial needs from wisdom teeth removal and corrective jaw surgery to dental implants and more. The practice has grown to include 13 board-certified maxillofacial surgeons and 12 locations throughout Central Texas. For more information, visit www.austinoralsurgery.com

Want to become a Lucy Hobbs Project Member?

Founded by Benco Dental, The Lucy Hobbs Project is a national program focused on innovation, networking and giving back. Ten thousand members strong, the program helps women in all facets of dentistry – dentists, dental assistants, hygienists, receptionists, sales representatives and others – to use their voices as a force for change. Named for Dr. Lucy Hobbs Taylor, who in 1866 became the first American female to earn a degree in dentistry, the Project offers free membership. To join, visit our website.

Today, nominate an outstanding woman in dentistry – a mentor, an innovator, a clinical expert, a humanitarian, a woman to watch, an industry icon.

Share a Lucy Hobbs Project Award nomination before the April 26 deadline.

Annually, Benco Dental pays tribute to the first woman in the U.S. to receive a dental degree – Dr. Lucy Hobbs — by honoring six pioneering women in the dental profession with an award created in her name: The Lucy Hobbs Project™ Awards.

At Benco’s annual Lucy Hobbs Project Celebration (Register today for October 3 – 5, 2019 in Chicago), the dental community is invited to honor award recipients in six categories:

• Woman to Watch: An up-and-coming leader who utilizes her position to create positive change,
• Industry Icon: A trailblazer who is consistently recognized and admired for her work in dentistry,
• Mentor: An advisor who recognizes the importance of supporting, educating and encouraging others,
• Innovator: A groundbreaker who demonstrates a willingness to implement new technologies and business processes without fear of potential failure,
• Humanitarian: An altruist who works tirelessly for a cause that benefits the well-being of others, and
• Clinical Expert: A skillful practitioner who embraces advancements and integrates them into patient care.

Individuals and organizations are invited to submit nominations. Self-nominations are accepted.

Want to nominate? Click here!