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Meet our 2024 OAA recipients, Dr. Linda Blakey and Krysti Campbell (Photos contributed)

It’s time to mark your calendars for DentDays 2024, coming up on October 25-26. One of the highlights of this fun and varied weekend is the presentation of Outstanding Alumni Awards (OAA) to alumni who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to their community, profession, society at large, or to the Faculty of Dentistry.
 
This year’s deserving OAA recipients are Dr. Linda Blakey (DDS’89) and Krysti Campbell (DDH’13), who have both demonstrated great leadership, a willingness to put their hands up to volunteer, and an impressive commitment to their patients and their profession.
 
Linda Blakey
Virtually as soon as she graduated and returned to the St. John’s/Mount Pearl area of Newfoundland to practise, Linda Blakey became involved in organized dentistry, both provincially and nationally.
 
At a provincial level, she has been a member of no fewer than nine Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association (NLDA) committees, becoming chair of several of them. She also served on the NLDA executive committee, including as president in 2011-12.
 
The Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Board also received her support, first as a board member, then chair. Most recently, she served as a committee member on the Dental Act Review 2024.
 
In 2013, Blakey became involved with the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) when she served on the Audit Committee. Other committees and working groups followed and she also served on the CDA board of governors. She currently chairs the Newfoundland Dental Licensing Board.
 
When the NLDA decided to set up an outreach clinic to offer free dental care to patients in need, Blakey was part of the committee who worked to make the Gathering Place happen. In addition to being actively involved in running the clinic with other dentists, she also volunteers there regularly, and encourages others to volunteer.
 
In addition to her many other achievements, Dr. Linda Blakey has mentored and guided many young female dentists in the early stages of their career, encouraging them to participate in organized dentistry. She has also volunteered within her community, particularly with the St. John’s Seastars Synchronized Swim Club.
 
Krysti Campbell
After graduating with her diploma of dental hygiene in 2013, Krysti Campbell returned home to The Bahamas where she immediately began to make an impact on the lives of her patients and on the dental health profession.
 
In addition to her clinical practice, Campbell devotes many hours to advancing oral health through her volunteer activities. In collaboration with The Bahamas Dental Council and The Bahamas Dental Association, she has dedicated her time to providing dental screenings and cleanings to the Emergency Children’s Hostel, displaced victims of Hurricane Matthew, breast cancer survivors, and patients who don’t have regular access to care. She also participates in dental screening initiatives for World Oral Health Day.
 
Campbell demonstrates her ongoing commitment to the advancement of the dental hygiene profession in The Bahamas through her involvement with The Bahamas Dental Hygienists Association (BDHA). In 2018, after surveying the needs of current dental hygienists, Campbell submitted eight recommendations to The Bahamas Dental Act, six of which were accepted. These recommendations have expanded the scope of practice for dental hygienists, demonstrating Campbell’s commitment to her profession.
 
In 2022, Campbell received her Master of Public Health degree, with a concentration in health promotion, education, and behaviour, and obtained her Certified Health Education Specialist qualification. She speaks regularly at conferences and gives talks and seminars on oral health education and promotion topics. Recently she was selected as a recipient of The Bahamas 40 Under 40 Most Influential and Successful Young Professionals Award 2024 for her contributions to dental hygiene and oral health education.
 
Congratulations to Linda Blakey and Krysti Campbell, our 2024 OAA winners! The awards will be presented at a ceremony during DentDays on October 26. Please plan to be there.