黑料正能量 has named its dental clinic on campus in memory of Erma Neal Thomas, a WCC alumna whose work in the dental field made a significant impact on the lives of others.
The Erma Neal Thomas Dental Clinic was officially dedicated at a ceremony filled with Thomas鈥檚 family, friends, and former colleagues.
Thomas was a 1973 graduate of WCC鈥檚 Dental Hygiene program. She became one of North Carolina鈥檚 first public health dental hygienists and worked in that role for 26 years, screening and teaching over 10,000 children each year in Wayne County Public Schools and Goldsboro City Schools.
Often called the 鈥渢ooth lady鈥� by elementary-school children, Thomas taught toothbrushing techniques and worked to create policies that brought school-based and community water fluoridation to Wayne County. She trained teachers, pioneered the first fluoride mouth rinse program, and coordinated the first dental sealant program in the state.
鈥淓rma鈥檚 knowledge and advocacy of dental hygiene transformed the field, both locally and on a larger scale,鈥� said WCC Dean of Applied Technologies Ernie White. 鈥淎s we name our dental clinic in her memory, it is a permanent reminder of what she valued for decades: education, public health, and above all, service to others.鈥�
In addition to her work in public health, Thomas served as president of the Southeastern Dental Hygienists鈥� Society and the North Carolina Dental Hygienists鈥� Association. She earned several awards throughout her career, including the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor awarded by NC鈥檚 governor.
Edna Hensey, one of Thomas鈥檚 colleagues and close friends, spoke at the dedication ceremony about Thomas鈥檚 career that spanned decades.
鈥淓rma was a leader in all that she did,鈥� Hensey said. 鈥淭ogether with colleagues, she not only served her community here in Wayne and surrounding counties but also changed the face of dental public health across the state. This is a fitting legacy for such a wonderful public health servant and person.鈥�
WCC鈥檚 dental department operates its dental hygiene clinic for the public. Students in the College鈥檚 Dental Hygiene program receive hands-on experience working with patients under the guidance of their instructors, honing their skills while providing service to the community.
The Erma Neal Thomas Dental Clinic naming was made possible by a donation from Thomas鈥檚 family.
Thomas鈥檚 daughter, Cathy, said her mother learned about the naming of the clinic before she passed. 鈥淪he promptly began crying joyful tears,鈥� Cathy said. 鈥淪he loved dental health, and we鈥檙e so very proud of her legacy. This school and this clinic offered Mom great training that led to a wonderful career.鈥�
The dental clinic accepts patients at various times each semester. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the clinic at 919-739-6780.
About 黑料正能量
黑料正能量 is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC鈥檚 mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.