Stephanie Bass RDH
I graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center Dental Branch / Houston in 1993. I joined the ADHA/TDHA/GHDHS tripartite as a student and renewed my membership as soon as the dues arrived in the mail. There was never a question to join; it was my duty as a professional. I began my first six years out of hygiene school active as a CPR instructor. I felt that I wanted to be more involved, so in 1996 I chaired the telephone committee, subsequently leading up to co-chairing TDHA Annual Session in 1997. I have been a delegate for TDHA Annual Session every year since being Chair of TDHA Annual Session.
During this time I started taking classes at HCC towards my Bachelors degree. Once there I maintained a 4.0 and became a member of the PHI THETA KAPPA International Honor Society and graduated with an Associates in Arts with Honors. In 1998 Harold Henson convinced me to move up and forward, so it was 2 years of 2nd Vice President and Public Relations Chair, which allowed me the privilege of being a member of TDHA’s Public Affairs Council. My experience on the PAC for the last few years allowed me an invitation to the AMS committee (Area Media Spokesperson), which I was honored to accept. In 1998-2000 I was privileged to work with Betty Waedemon and many others to develop the Carver Institute’s Dental Health Education Program for the Spanish Village residents. Since the development of the Internet and email, the society needed to get plugged into the rest of the world, so I developed and currently maintain the GHDHS website. Recently, the inception of web-employment has developed and doing very well. After my experience with our website, I received the opportunity to update the TDHA’s website. It is such a joy to do so much for the hygiene profession.
If all this wasn’t enough, I then got pregnant with twins in the fall of 1999! In the beginning of 2000, I was asked to serve on the Dental Hygiene Community Liaison Committee from my alma mater. Thank you Nina for the opportunity to help the hygiene school advance. During the summer of 2000, just before Bailey and Christian were born, I began as newsletter chairman for the Fort Bend Friends and Neighbors community organization. I was instrumental in changing their layout to look more professional, more like ours.
From 2001-2002 I served as President of GHDHS, which allowed President-elect and Immediate Past President positions. After the Presidency I have continually served on local, state and national committees. These include: Professional Education Council (state and local), Nominations (state and local), Ways and Means (Local), Hy-Pac (local), Student Affairs Council (State), Technology Committee (State), TDHA Trustte, Delegate (State and National). I am also very proud to have been asked by my very good friend, Harold Henson, to be a guest speaker to the UTHSC at Houston to present a lecture on Compensation, Salaries and Wages for the last three years.
I was featured on the cover of RDH Magazine w/ my twins during National Children's Dental Health Month: February 2004. Please read more about that here. The cover talks about my hobby of selling on eBay as a Powerseller.
During my 13 years of professional dental hygiene I have also participated in many volunteer activities, most every year possible. These include Girl Scouts, San Jose and NAM Sealants Across Texas, Star of Hope shelter, tobacco both at the rodeo, Senior Days at a nursing home, career days, health fairs.
I work two days a week in a General Practice in Sugar Land, TX.
My latest accomplishment has been completing my Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Dental Branch in May 2006. Please see our photo.