A local hygienist is a “Dental Hygiene Superhero!”
Out of hundreds of nominations across Canada, Cobourg’s own Mary Ito who owns Northumberland Dental Hygiene Clinic was one of two honourable mentions in the competition by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association.
The contest was called, “Canada’s Dental Hygiene Superhero Unmasked” and hygienists were nominated from every province and territory.
Donna Lee from Vancouver, British Columbia, was picked as Canada’s Dental Hygiene Superhero and the two honourable mentions went to: Mary Ito of Cobourg, Ontario, and Lisa Chovin of Sturgeon County, Alberta by the seven judges.
The competition recognized the important work hygienists do and the roles they play as primary health care providers in communities across Canada.
“It is wonderful to see dental hygienists making a real difference in the lives of everyday
Canadians,” says Sophia Baltzis, CDHA President.
“Reading their stories and seeing what a positive impact dental hygienists have on the oral health of their clients is incredible!”
Dental hygienists were nominated primarily by clients, but also by colleagues and employers, and were evaluated on their client focus, social responsibility, leadership, integrity, respect, and transparency.
Ito was born and raised in Cobourg and is a wife and mother of two and has been a dental hygienist for 27 years.
While on vacation earlier this year Ito was first notified she was nominated as one of 21 finalists out of 818 for the competition, and to her surprise, she was told in June as being picked as a honourable mention.
At first she was unaware of who even nominated her, but later learned it was the Northumberland Oral Health Coalition.
“I’m honoured that someone would think enough of what I do to nominate me,” said Ito speaking to Today’s Northumberland.
Always greeting people with a warm smile, Ito has always been someone who loves her profession and Cobourg.
Northumberland Dental Hygiene Clinic is proudly celebrating its 10th anniversary.
“Being born and raised in Cobourg, I’ve always been proud to be apart of this community and the many people who have supported me over the years. It’s very rewarding and I love what I do.”
Part of the submission written by the Northumberland Oral Health Coalition states, “Mary has been instrumental in advocating for the less fortunate in our society. She has always considered it crazy that a person without funds can get a painful open wound treated at the local hospital but cannot get a painful toothache fixed without paying out-of-pocket with money s/he doesn’t have!”
“To this end, she worked with NOHC to establish the first low-cost dental clinic in the county at the Port Hope Community Centre. In addition, Mary annually participates in Gift From The Heart (GFTH) Saturday and has been known to extend the offering of free dental cleanings to the days or weeks to follow for clients in need who she couldn’t squeeze in to see on the day of the event.”
“As a result of regularly lobbying her local elected officials for the need to improve access to dental care, she is on a first name basis with Northumberland County’s local member of provincial parliament”
One of the Northumberland Oral Health Coalition’s projects is supporting a dental table at a local church lunch program.
“Guests from the program are provided with the tools to maintain oral hygiene; many of these items are donated by Mary. The guests who require dental treatment, and most do, are referred
to Mary’s clinic first for dental hygiene care and then on to a dentist or clinic that will accept
the provincial payment plans. Mary accepts all government funded dental plans and if the
person cannot pay, she finds a way to help them do so through various community sources.”
Ito also is a pipe major for the Cobourg Legion Pipes and Drums and is an accomplished bagpiper who often donates her time to play at community events such as weddings and funerals. Ito travels to Prince Edward Island in October to receive the award.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
