Health Literacy in Dentistry Contest

Hunt School of Dental Medicine student recognized by American Dental Association

Michael Lou

Michael Lou, a first-year student at the Hunt School of Dental Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, was named one of three runner-up winners in the 2022 American Dental Association’s annual Health Literacy in Dentistry essay contest. Lou received a $500 award for his essay.

The theme for this year’s essay contest was “Not Just Teeth: Why the Dental Team Is Essential for My Overall Health.” Participants were asked to write an essay that reflected the importance of the oral-systemic connection, and how regular dental care is critical to a patient’s overall health.

Students from 24 dental schools participated in this year’s essay contest.

Launched in 2015, the ADA’s Health Literacy in Dentistry essay contest aims to increase students’ knowledge of healthy literacy principals and build their skills in writing in plain language.

Read the ADA’s winner announcement here.