HPC Celebrates National Hygienists Week and Administrative Professionals Day in April

National Dental Hygienist Week | April 7-11

Every April, we celebrate National Dental Hygienist Week to recognize the invaluable contributions of dental hygienists and their dedication to promoting good oral health—an essential component of overall well-being.

With over 200,000 dental hygienists across the United States and nearly 3,000 in Kansas, these professionals play a crucial role in preventive care. Working under a dentist’s supervision, dental hygienists clean teeth, assess oral health and detect signs of gum disease, cavities, and other conditions. Beyond treatment, they empower patients with the knowledge to maintain lifelong oral hygiene habits.

Becoming a dental hygienist requires rigorous education. Students complete prerequisite coursework before pursuing a dental hygiene certificate or associate degree, typically a three-year program. Many go on to earn a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Dental Hygiene to expand their expertise.

In Kansas, dental hygienists can obtain an Extended Care Permit (ECP)—Level I, II, or III—allowing them to provide care in schools, nursing homes and other community settings with indirect supervision, increasing access to essential oral healthcare.

A special thank you to Christina Cook, RDH, ECP II, Dental Operations Manager and Dental Hygienist, and Rowena (Row) Arensman, RDH, Dental Hygienist, for their unwavering dedication to our patients. This dynamic duo consistently goes above and beyond to ensure excellent care!

Let’s take a moment to appreciate and celebrate all dental hygienists—especially Christina and Row at Health Partnership Clinic—for their commitment to healthier smiles and healthier lives!

Celebrating National Administrative Professionals’ Day | April 23

Every year, on the Wednesday of the last full week of April, we celebrate National Administrative Professionals’ Day—also known as Secretaries Day or Admin Day—to recognize the invaluable contributions of administrative support professionals. These dedicated individuals keep organizations running smoothly, providing essential support to teams and leaders alike.

Today, we give a special shoutout to Nikki Balden, Administrative Assistant, at HPC! Nikki plays a crucial role in supporting our Senior Leadership Team, coordinating meetings and schedules, assisting with HR functions, and taking notes for Continuous Quality Improvement meetings. She also meticulously records minutes for the Board of Directors, Finance and Quality Improvement Committee’s monthly meetings, among many other responsibilities. Nikki’s dedication and efficiency keep HPC organized and thriving—we are incredibly grateful for all she does!

Nikki shares her passion for her role:

“My favorite part of my job is the people I get to work with and seeing our HPC mission put into action through them each day. I have a great amount of respect for our Senior Leadership and have seen firsthand how they live and lead our mission. Every person in our organization plays a vital role—from our front desk staff to our providers. We are lucky to have a team that truly cares about the communities we serve, and I am proud to be part of it. Whether I’m working behind the scenes or in a more visible capacity, I know I’m contributing to something that has a meaningful impact on people’s lives.”

Join us in thanking and celebrating Nikki and all administrative professionals for their hard work, dedication and commitment to keeping our teams and organizations running seamlessly!

Stay tuned for May, when we celebrate Patient Services Representatives and Nurses!