Baker named Nebraska Dental Hygienist of the Year

Nicole Baker, clinical instructor in the department of dental hygiene, received the 2018 Dental Hygienist of the Year award at the Nebraska Dental Hygiene Association (NDHA) Annual Session in April. The award recognizes her contributions and commitment to the dental hygiene profession.

Nicole Baker

Baker graduated from the UNMC College of Dentistry with her bachelor’s degree from the West Division Dental Hygiene Program in 2008. Soon after, she joined the college as a faculty member in Gering.

She has held a variety of committee and officer roles with the NDHA and the Panhandle Component of the NDHA. In addition, she received her Dental Hygiene Public Health Authorization for treating children and adults in the state of Nebraska, which allows her to serve children at sealant programs and residents at local nursing homes.

Baker is a dedicated advocate for dental hygiene education and access to preventive oral health services for underserved communities, especially in rural Nebraska.

“I feel extremely honored and humbled to have been nominated and to have received such an award,” she said. “I know I would not have been able to receive this award without the inspiration of my seniors, mentors, and colleagues at the College of Dentistry, the support from my family, and the opportunities in leadership that the NDHA has provided me.”