Articles

HCC Dental Hygiene students win first at state conference

By Andi Atkinson

Mar 24, 2025

(left to right) Priscilla Alaniz, Kelsey Dumba, and Nohemi De Leon 

A Dental Hygiene trio from HCC Coleman College for Health Sciences took the top spot in the Scientific Student Poster Presentation at the Texas Dental Hygiene Association’s annual conference March 1 in San Marcos, Texas.

Priscilla Alaniz, Nohemi De Leon, and Kelsey Dumba not only won the statewide event but also took home a $500 prize. The teammates received guidance and mentorship from Michele Giles, Dental Hygiene faculty sponsor. 

At the competition, the students presented, “Metformin: Impact on Periodontal Hard Tissues.” The presentation focused on how the medication metformin can potentially improve periodontal hard tissues for approximately 42% of American adults with periodontal disease.

The HCC Dental Hygiene students defeated teams from two- and four-year institutions, including Texas A&M University College of Dentistry and UT Health School of Dentistry.

On March 5, the trio went on to compete at the Greater Houston Dental Hygienist Association conference and finish second with a $150 prize.