Nebraska Dental Assistants Association      

2025 Newsletter

 

A message from our President:

Serving as President of the NDAA has once again been an incredibly rewarding experience this year. One of my favorite aspects of this role is the opportunity to advocate for the dental assisting profession. I truly enjoy collaborating with my peers and other professional members of the dental team. Working together to find solutions that prioritize the best outcomes for patients across Nebraska is both fulfilling and exciting.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the NDAA board members and committee officers for their dedication and active participation in our executive board meetings throughout the past year. Their commitment to making our association a priority has been instrumental in preparing for a successful and enjoyable annual session.

This year’s annual session is scheduled for Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Cornhusker Marriott in Lincoln. The morning will feature a collaborative session with the Nebraska Dental Association. Following that, we will host our annual luncheon, the House of Delegates meeting, and conclude with educational sessions on key topics such as Infection Control and Bloodborne Pathogens.

I feel truly fortunate to work alongside such a passionate and driven group of board members and committee chairs. It has been an honor to guide our association into another successful year, and I look forward to the continued growth and accomplishments of the NDAA in 2026.

 

Crystal L. Stuhr, CDA, BS. LDA

NDAA President 2024-2025

 

NDAA Annual Session

April 11, 2025

The Lincoln Marriot Cornhusker Hotel - 333 South 13^th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508

All speaker bios and NDAA Registration can be found online at nebraskadentalassistants.org

$0 for NDAA members, $100 for non-NDAA members (Late fees apply after March 31)

 

Morning Session

              7 AM – 8 AM Check-in

              7:30 AM – 11:30 AM NDAA will join NDA (please see website for detailed schedule)

              11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Exhibit Hall

Afternoon session

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Luncheon & Awards, House of Delegates, Installation of Officers

1:30 PM – 4:30 PM NDAA will provide speakers (please see website for detailed schedule)

 

 

 

 

Nominated Officers:

The Nominating Committee submits the following slate of officers and their qualifications for election to the 2025-2026 Nebraska Dental Assistants Association Board:

 

Qualifications:

I, Crystal Stuhr, accept the nomination for the office of President. My qualifications include being a member of NDAA/ADAA for 24 years and a dental assistant for 26 years. Have attended 25 NDAA Annual Sessions serving as a delegate 23 times. I have attended 10 ADAA Annual Sessions and served as a delegate 10 times. I am currently serving as NDAA President. I have served as President and President-elect of both NDAA and LDAS. Additionally, I have served as Vice President for LDAS. Have served as chair of several state and local committees.

I, Cindy Cronick, accept the nomination for the office of President-Elect. My qualifications include being a member of NDAA/ADAA for 52 years and a dental assistant for 53 years. Have attended 29 NDAA Annual Sessions serving as a delegate 24 times. I have attended 10 ADAA Annual Sessions and served as a delegate 8 times. I am currently serving as NDAA Board President-Elect. I have served in all offices except for Treasurer for NDAA and all offices except Vice President for ODAS. I have served as the 8^th District Trustee for ADAA. Additionally, I have served on numerous committees for ADAA, NDAA, and ODAS.

I, Renae Zarybnicky, accept the nomination for the office of Vice President. My qualifications include being a member of NDAA/ADAA 7 for years and a dental assistant for 13 years. Have attended 9 NDAA Annual Sessions serving as a delegate 9 times. I am currently serving as NDAA Vice President. I have served as a Board Member of NDAA. I have also served as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer on LDAS. Additionally, I have served as chair of several state and local committees.

I, Amanda Skuban, accept the nomination for the office of Secretary.  My qualifications include being a member of NDAA/ADAA for 21 years and a dental assistant for 20 years. I have attended 19 NDAA Annual Sessions, serving as a delegate 18 times. I have attended 4 ADAA Annual Sessions and served as a delegate 4 times. I am currently serving as a board member for NDAA. I have served in several offices for NDAA and LDAS, including President for both. Additionally, I have served as chair on several NDAA and LDAS committees.

I, Delores Heyen, accept the nomination for the office of Treasurer. My qualifications include being a member of NDAA/ADAA for 50 years and a dental assistant for 52 years. I have attended numerous NDAA Annual Sessions, serving as a delegate many times. I have attended 4 ADAA Annual Sessions, serving as a delegate 4 times. I have served in every office in the MSDAS and every office except Vice President in the NDAA. I am currently serving as NDAA Treasurer. Additionally, I have served on numerous committees in both MSDAS and NDAA.

I, Angelique Dean, accept the nomination for the office of Board Member. My qualifications include being a member of NDAA/ADAA for 14 years and a dental assistant for 17 years. I have attended 15 NDAA Annual Sessions and served as a delegate 10 times. I have attended 1 ADAA Annual Session and served as a delegate 1 time. I am currently serving as an NDAA Board Member. I have served as President, President-Elect, and Secretary for both NDAA and LDAS. Additionally, I have served as chair on several NDAA Committees.

I, Shannon Tschirren, accept the nomination for the office of Board Member. My qualifications include being a member of NDAA/ADAA for 18 years, and a dental assistant for 18 years. I have attended 16 NDAA Annual Sessions and served as a delegate 11 times. I am currently serving as an NDAA Board Member. I have served as both President and President-Elect for NDAA and Vice-president for ODAS. Additionally, I have served as chair on several NDAA Committees for both NDAA and ODAS.

AWARDS

Aloise B. Clements Trophy for Achievement

Given to the Association in 1937 by Mr. Joe Ratner in memory of Aloise B. Clements.

It may be presented to a member who has provided outstanding service to the Association. Nominations shall be presented to the Awards Committee Chairman. The recipient will hold the trophy for a period of one (1) year. It should be engraved with the recipient’s name.

Dr. Cecil Mueller Loyalty Trophy

It may be awarded to the member in attendance at the Annual Session who presents verification of the longest period of continuous employment with one dentist/employer. The applicants must submit a statement that includes: [1] Initial date of employment. [2] Verification of at least five (5) years of membership in the American Dental Assistants Association and the Nebraska Dental Assistants Association. [3] Verification of the dentist/employer. [4] Signature of the President of the NDAA. Nominations shall be presented to the Awards Committee Chairman before the Pre-Board Meeting for consideration. The recipient will hold the trophy for a period of one (1) year. It should be engraved with the recipient’s name.

Student Award- R.E. Dooley Essay Award Trophy

Presented by Lettie Johnson to NDAA in 1970. Each Dental Assisting School will be notified in January of the award’s requirements and the plaque will be presented at the NDAA Annual Session. In 2000, the original plaque was modified to become a separate plaque for each Dental Assisting Program (Mid-Plains, Central, Southeast, and Metropolitan). The name of the award-winning student essayist shall be engraved on a bronze plate to be mounted on the plaque of the winner’s school. The contest is open to all student members of the NDAA. [1] Essays are to be original works of the student, 500-1000 words in length. [2] Essays are to be typewritten or word-processed on one side of the page only. [3] A bibliography must be included in the essay. [4] Essays must be submitted to the NDAA Awards Committee seven (7) days before the Annual Session. Essays will be judged on: Subject matter, Grammar, Spelling, Clarity of thought, and Professional Interest. Each school may submit three (3) of its best essays. The winning essay award is $25.00 cash. The essay may not be material that was prepared for another purpose. [1] Proofreading, assisting in typing, etc. are not allowed by instructors of students submitting an essay. [2] Es-says received beyond the accepted date will not be considered. [3] Essays become the property of the Association and will not be returned. [4] Before judging the essays, each should be numbered by a non-committee member to keep the identity of the school and student unknown. All evidence of student/school name should be covered. A ranking order may be devised for scoring (i.e. scale of 1- 10). The highest total scores are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.