Feltham named Hygienist Hero

FALLBROOK — At the 85th annual session of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) national conference, held June 18-25 in Albuquerque, NM, Erika B. Feltham was honored for her commitment to volunteer work throughout Fallbrook and North County in her specialized field of oral hygiene.

Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products sponsored the “Hygienist Hero” award that was given to just nine hygienists selected from all across the United States.

“From improving access to professional oral care to educating on proper home oral techniques in creative, awe-inspiring ways, these nine hygienists have truly helped to improve the oral health care of America one mouth at a time,” said ADHA President Jean Connor, RDH.

Feltham has been employed by Dr. Edwin Stewart in Fallbrook for 19 years and has performed much of her volunteer work through the local “Smiles Project” and also through the Fallbrook, Bonsall and Camp Pendleton school districts.

She received an inscribed trophy as well as a large financial stipend from Johnson & Johnson that will in turn be donated to the Smiles Project for use to help the dental needs of the underprivileged in this community.

Feltham likes to quote an unknown author who once said, “As a blossom cannot tell what becomes of the effects of its fragrance, no one person can tell what becomes of his/her influence.”