Holly Ann (Halliburton) Dees, a 1999 Llano High School graduate, received the prestigious 2008 Outstanding Student Dental Hygienist in Texas Award.

In February, the Texas Dental Hygienist’s Association held its annual convention at the Omni Hotel in Austin, where the award was presented to Dees. She was the only dental hygienist student presented with the award.

The criteria for selection included TDHA/SADHA participation, legislative activities, volunteerism, professionalism, and academic excellence.

Dees was also recongized for her exceptional efforts in creating and leading the first-ever Student American Dental Hygienist “Team Building Project.”

As a result of those efforts over 1,500 economically disadvantaged children across Texas, grades Pre-K through fifth, received oral health educational goodie bags.

This award is the highest honor a student is able to achieve while obtaining a dental hygiene education and her family was honored to be present.

Dees will graduate from Austin Community College in May and plans to seek a master’s degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Texas at San Antonio.