Melissa Calhoun's research focuses on a basic problem in children's oral health: gaps in the guidance meant to prevent early childhood caries. She is one of six dental hygienists named in the 2026 GUM/RDH Award of Distinction.
Independent search results did not identify an official announcement confirming the 2026 GUM/RDH Award of Distinction, its judging criteria, jury or follow-up activities involving the six named recipients.
The range is striking. Available independent results do not include official pages from professional organizations, universities or employers that confirm the biographical details linked to Melissa Calhoun, Lisa Curbow, Karen Davis or Marion Manski.
Six routes through modern dental hygiene
Calhoun, MSDH, RDH, receives the research distinction for designing and publishing a national study based on the theory of planned behavior and dental hygiene practice. The study identified gaps in anticipatory guidance for the prevention of early childhood caries.
She has also taken those findings into education and professional advocacy. The goal is stronger preventive care. A Reuters search result about a person with the same name concerns a former schoolteacher and an arbitration dispute, not dental hygiene. It does not independently verify this profile.
Lisa Curbow, BAAS, RDH, CDP, represents full-time clinical practice. She has more than 27 years of experience and works with patients who have special health-care needs.
A separate study discussed by Newswise examined the relationship between effort-reward imbalance and dental hygienists' intention to leave the profession. That research addresses workforce pressures and does not confirm the 2026 award, its recipients or the projects attributed to them.
Karen Davis, BSDH, RDH, built her award-winning career outside conventional clinical practice. She founded Cutting Edge Concepts, a continuing education company.
Her programmes draw on lessons from a personal journey shaped by resilience. That journey includes her late husband's battle with cancer.
Education and access are clinical work too
Marion Manski, MS, RDH, has worked in dental hygiene education for more than 40 years. She has mentored thousands of students and faculty.
Her work also includes curriculum development, advocacy for expanded practice and professional leadership. The recognition places long-term teaching and scope-of-practice advocacy alongside direct patient care.
Kaila Mooney, RDH, brings the public-health category into clear view. In Arkansas, she restored preventive dental services for underserved children after grant funding ended.
School screenings and fluoride treatments continued through community partnerships. Mooney also kept pressing for health equity.
That focus on prevention connects with an earlier professional profile about the way clinical care, teaching, research and prevention support oral and overall health across Latin America.
Richard Robinson, BS, RDH, is the new RDH recipient. As a new graduate, he combines patient education with mentorship.
Through MY WHY, a nonprofit, Robinson works to raise awareness of dental hygiene careers and improve access to those careers for underserved youth. That work looks ahead.
A milestone for GUM and RDH
The 2026 awards also mark the 25th anniversary of the GUM/RDH Award of Distinction. GUM was formerly known as Sunstar and has returned to its original name. The name stands for Gentle Uletic Massage.
The company's history goes back to 1923. That year, Dr. John O. Butler introduced toothbrush innovations designed to gently clean and massage the gums.
This year is also the 45th anniversary of RDH magazine. The magazine was founded in 1981.
Since then, dental hygiene has grown into a profession with clinicians, researchers, entrepreneurs, academics and public-health specialists.
GUM and RDH magazine chose recipients whose work shows that breadth. Calhoun's research informs prevention. Curbow's clinical practice addresses special-care needs. Davis expands professional learning.
Manski strengthens education and advocacy. Mooney protects access for underserved children. Robinson works to build the next generation of the workforce.
Independent search results did not identify confirmed direct quotations from the recipients, award organizers, regulators or professional associations about the 2026 honours. Searches for the award's wording led mainly to unrelated 2026 awards in other fields.
The judging process, announcement dates and official statements therefore remain unconfirmed outside the supplied account.
The six recipients represent the practical reach of dental hygiene. Better prevention depends on evidence and clear guidance. Better care depends on access and the patient's experience.
A stronger workforce needs education and mentorship. Taken together, the six award categories present dental hygiene as part of oral and systemic health care in classrooms, clinics and communities.
