Dear Members of the Award Committee,
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Mariela Leyba, RDH, for the Heart to Hand Award. As the Dental Director at Santa Fe Community College and as the Co-Chair of the New Mexico Oral Health Coalition [NMOHC], I have had the distinct pleasure of working closely with Mariela for many years and can say without hesitation that she is a dedicated, skilled, and compassionate professional who exemplifies the highest standards of dental hygiene care and Oral health education.
In her role as a dental hygienist, Mariela consistently goes beyond providing excellent care for the patients. She demonstrates her knowledge of dental health, and her technical proficiency. I appreciate her ability to connect with underserved patients and put them at ease—especially those who may experience anxiety about dental procedures—is remarkable. She is a public health hygienist with the State of NM. Most of the time she works with the schoolchildren providing them with oral screenings, education, and sealants. She has to collaborate closely with the school staff and the school nurses and keep a great relationship with them. She also serves as the Nm State HeadStart Hygienist Laison [DHL]. The DHL project is a partnership between the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety. Under this project, Mariela volunteers to help promote oral health for pregnant women and children enrolled in Head Start. This has allowed her to have contact in each state to grow her network and learn about successes and challenges in other states in terms of oral health.
Mariela is also a leader within our NMOHC, often taking on additional responsibilities. She is active in keeping up with the latest advancements in dental hygiene techniques and technology, regularly attending continuing education courses and workshops. Her commitment to professional development is evident in her ability to apply new knowledge in ways that improve patient care and enhance the overall efficiency of our practice. As the Co-Chair of the NMOHC, she organizes and leads the meetings, and she brings qualified speakers. She has the potential to learn, and she seeks guidance as needed.
Beyond technical skills, it is her people skills that make her truly stand out.
In summary, Mariela is exceptionally deserving of the Heart to Hands Award. Her dedication to excellence in patient care, her commitment to continuous learning, and her impact on our team make her a good dental hygienist. I have no doubt that Mariela will continue to make significant contributions to the dental profession.
Thank you for considering this recommendation. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Aamna Nayyar, BSc, BDS, GPR, DDS