[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8289]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              CENTENNIAL OF THE WYOMING DENTAL ASSOCIATION

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I am honored to recognize the Wyoming 
Dental Association as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. This 
historic milestone marks the success of the organization's efforts to 
assist its members in their mission of achieving the highest level of 
patient care for Wyoming.
  Life on the frontier posed many challenges for Wyoming's first 
dentists. Pioneer practitioners often traveled long distances through 
rugged terrain to treat their patients. Armed with rudimentary tools 
including forceps, pedal-powered drills, and whiskey to kill the pain, 
these circuit riders treated patients with little or no oversight. 
Seeing a need for standardization, the Wyoming Legislature created the 
Wyoming Board of Dental Examiners, which required all practicing 
dentists to register with the State. In 1916, several licensed dentists 
joined to form the Wyoming Dental Association, an organization 
dedicated to supporting the State's dentists. From that day forward, 
the association's members dedicated themselves to advancing the 
practice of dentistry.
  Thanks to extensive progress made in technology and medical care, 
modern oral health care has dramatically improved. Today there are over 
500 licensed dentists in Wyoming. Our State's dentists are dedicated to 
their patients' health, not only providing dental care but also 
educating the public on the importance of oral hygiene. Every dentist 
has adopted a professional code of ethics and works to maintain the 
highest standards of excellence.
  The Wyoming Dental Association is a leader in promoting dental 
hygiene. Through its dedicated advocacy and leadership, the association 
collaborates with the Wyoming Legislature, local government agencies, 
and nonprofit organizations to help the people of Wyoming. Their 
achievements are impressive.
  In particular, dentists around the State volunteered hundreds of 
hours to complete Wyoming's Oral Health Initiative, which was designed 
to gauge the overall dental health of residents. The initiative 
provided stakeholders with valuable data that led to the development of 
strategies to improve education and access to care. Thanks to the 
Wyoming Dental Association's participation in this crucial study, the 
State is advancing dental health care to new levels of success.
  After 100 years, the Wyoming Dental Association is stronger than ever 
thanks to its incredible leadership. The dedicated efforts of the 
association's executive director, Diane Bouzis, and its current board 
of directors continue to improve the services its members receive. 
Thank you to President Mike Shane, President-elect Dana Leroy, Vice 
President Lance Griggs, Secretary-Treasurer Deb Shevick, and ADA 
Delegates Rod Hill and Brad Kincheloe. We also acknowledge the hard 
work of the State's district directors, including Lorraine Gallagher, 
Brian Cotant, Steve Harmon, Paul Dona, Aaron Taff, and Leslie Basse. 
These incredible individuals serve the association and their patients 
with great integrity.
  Thanks to the strength of the association's membership, we can always 
count on Wyoming's dental practitioners to come to Washington. They 
provide up-to-date information and input about the major concerns and 
issues facing the industry. Our entire State benefits from their 
advocacy. It is always great to meet with John Roussalis, Earl 
Kincheloe, Mike Keim, Bob Pattalochi, David Okano, Tyler Bergien, Brian 
Hokanson, and Carl Jeffries. These fine folks are excellent 
representatives of the profession.
  The Wyoming Dental Association is a remarkable organization committed 
to improving dental health care in all of Wyoming's communities. I am 
pleased to offer my sincere appreciation to the members of the Wyoming 
Dental Association as they celebrate their centennial.

                          ____________________