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San Francisco City Hall Lights Up in Purple in Honor of National Dental Hygiene Month
A vibrant display of purple lights filled San Francisco鈥檚 Civic Center on the evening of Tuesday, October 18, marking a high-profile visual celebration of National Dental Hygiene Month.
With San Francisco City Hall lit up in purple, several of the Dugoni School鈥檚 dental hygiene students and faculty joined other members of the San Francisco Dental Hygiene Society (SFDHS), a component of the California Dental Hygienists鈥� Association, on the plaza in front.
Michael Long, BSDH, RDHAP, a part-time faculty member in the school鈥檚 Dental Hygiene program, reached out to San Francisco City Hall to request the light display.
Long explained, 鈥淭he color purple is synonymous with dental hygiene and has been the official color of dental professionals since 1897. It is said to signify compassion, purpose and inspiration. This lighting of City Hall during National Dental Hygiene Month has been seen all over the State of California and beyond. Greetings and well wishes have been coming in from near and far 鈥� it鈥檚 truly inspirational.鈥�
鈥淚t was an absolute honor to be recognized by the City and County of San Francisco as they lit City Hall in purple,鈥� added Long. 鈥淚 saw pride on the faces of all who attended. Dugoni School鈥檚 dental hygiene students were beaming with enthusiasm and jumping for joy. A new tradition in San Francisco has begun!鈥�
Garren Llorens, DH 鈥�23, remarked, 鈥淚t was an incredible opportunity to be a part of! Visiting City Hall and viewing the lights in recognition of our future career was not only breathtaking, but monumental for the profession.聽Hopefully this will ignite the spark for dental hygienists to receive the recognition that has been long overdue!鈥�
Dental Hygiene students have been active in other public activities in recent months. Students from the Class of 2023 helped provide dental screenings and fluoride treatments to children during a pop-up event serving families in San Francisco鈥檚 Bayview neighborhood in September.
At the California Dental Association鈥檚 CDA Presents conference in September, dental hygiene students joined San Francisco Dental Hygiene Society volunteers at the CDHA booth. The students discussed the profession with CDHA members and enjoyed networking with other hygienists and students who were also attending the conference.
Dental hygiene students also provide ongoing care to the public at the Dugoni School鈥檚 Dental Hygiene clinic in San Francisco. Services include dental and general health screenings, preventative care (teeth cleanings), X-rays, sealants, fluoride treatments and blood pressure screenings. The clinic offers a no-charge oral health assessment at the first appointment. To make an appointment at the Dental Hygiene clinic, call 415.929.6408 or learn more on the clinic website.
