Source: American Dental Hygienists' Association
Practicing dental hygienist and ADHA member Vickie Nardello was successful in her bid for reelection to a seventh term in the Connecticut State House after winning a decisive 55 percent of the vote on Nov. 7. Vickie serves on the Public Health Committee and has been successful in working with other legislators and members of the dental community to pass legislation that promotes increased access to oral health-care services and more funds for the oral public health infrastructure. Her service as representative of the 89th District has also been marked by legislative successes in managed care, consumer protection, and environmental issues.
Dental hygienists have been very supportive of Vickie's campaign. Despite a nationwide effort to unseat her based on her support of an advanced practice dental hygienist, she was victorious in all of her precincts. Her opponent raised the most money ever spent for a state legislative race. However, through hard work and tremendous support from the dental hygiene community, Vickie secured her bid for reelection, maintaining her position as the only practicing hygienist elected to a state-level office — that the ADHA is aware of — in the country.
"Legislative campaigns are not won easily. Over the years, I have come to know many dental hygienists personally, and they have been generous in their support of my efforts. The skills I learned from being an ADHA delegate gave me excellent preparation for the legislature. I am proud to represent the profession, and I hope in the future that there will be more dental hygienists elected to public office."
During her next term in office, Vickie plans to continue her work to promote oral health and access to care for the residents of Connecticut. Vickie will also continue to practice as a public health hygienist in the Hartford School District.
