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On October 26, Krysti Campbell (DDH’13) will be presented with an Outstanding Alumni Award for her many contributions to her profession and her community. Here, she answers a few questions about her work and her thoughts on receiving an OAA.

What are you looking forward to doing/who are you looking forward to seeing at DentDays 2024 and why?

I haven’t visited Halifax since I graduated 11 years ago, so I’m thrilled to see how much the city and campus have evolved. I’m especially eager to check out the new clinic and reconnect with any former professors who might still be there. Additionally, I’m excited to present a CE course. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while and it feels perfect to start my international presentations at the place where my dental hygiene journey began.  

What is your best/funniest memory from your time in the Faculty of Dentistry as a student?

It’s tough to choose between three favourites: the Halloween parties on campus, where I loved seeing all the inventive dental-themed costumes; the pumpkin carving competition, where again it was great to see the creativity of faculty and students alike; and, although it might be a bit unconventional, the Dental Pub Crawls – my class would gather, play games, and update our dental student-themed shirts to better fit our identity as dental hygiene students.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

he most rewarding aspect of my job is helping patients recognize the link between their oral health and overall well-being. When Type 2 diabetic patients come to their appointments prepared to tell me their HbA1c levels and seek blood work after noticing increased bleeding, or when patients promptly get tested for sleep apnea after I explain its oral signs and effects, it’s incredibly fulfilling. While I also appreciate the satisfaction of chiseling away stubborn calculus or revealing the bright smiles behind deep stains, the real reward comes from seeing patients grasp the oral-systemic connection and make meaningful lifestyle changes based on our discussions during their appointments.

What does receiving an OAA from the Faculty of Dentistry mean to you?

Before I learned about my nomination, I would read the bios of past OAA recipients whenever the emails were sent out and I was always impressed by their significant contributions to the oral health field and their personal accomplishments. I never thought I would be among such distinguished individuals. Receiving an OAA from the Faculty of Dentistry is incredibly meaningful. It signifies not just a personal achievement, but also the Faculty’s recognition of diverse voices, especially coming from a small Caribbean nation. This award is a profound and humbling acknowledgment of my journey from a quiet student aiming to make a modest impact in my community to being honoured by such a prestigious institution. It also reflects the calibre of students HÂþ»­ and the Faculty of Dentistry produces: remarkable leaders making a difference in their own communities.