Marion Manski, MS ’04, BSDH ’88, RDH

For her trailblazing efforts to advance and support the next generation of dental hygiene professionals throughout her more than 40-year career, Marion Manski, MS ’04, BSDH ’88, RDH, is this year’s Linda DeVore Dental Hygiene Alumnus Award honoree. 

The annual award recognizes a dental hygiene graduate of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) who represents the integrity, intellectual curiosity, community-mindedness, and leadership epitomized by the late DeVore. DeVore was active in dental hygiene education, scholarship​,​ and public service. She served as chair of UMSOD’s Department of Dental Hygiene from 1993 to 2003 and president of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) in 1994.  

Nominees are selected based on education and training, records of exceptional work experience, activism within the profession, and impact on the future of dental hygiene. 

“I was fortunate to have Linda DeVore as my mentor,” Manski said. “She inspired me to think outside the box, to take risks, and to critically think about my profession.” 

Manski earned her certificate and associate degree from the Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists and Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. in 1983. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from UMSOD in 1988. She then completed a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene Education from the University of Maryland Graduate School in 2004.  

Before joining UMSOD, Manski practiced dental hygiene in a general and pediatric practice. She served as director of Admissions from 2005 to 2018 and director of the Dental Hygiene Program from 2011 to 2018. She​​ served her profession locally in Maryland as president of the Maryland Dental Hygienists’ Association (MDHA); Connecticut as trustee of the Southeastern Connecticut Dental Hygienists’ Association; and Virginia as education liaison of the Virginia Dental Hygienists'’ Association. She has served nationally for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), and the ADEA, and has presented on a national and international scale. 

A recipient of many honors, Manski received the University of Maryland’s 2005 Excellence in Teaching Dental Hygiene Award, which recognizes superb instructional performance in the dental hygiene program; the 2008 UMSOD Dental Hygiene Teacher of the Year Award; and the 2013 Maryland Dental Hygienists' Association Symbol of Excellence Award​.  ​ 

In addition, she was honored nationally in 2016 as a "Mover and Shaker" in Dimensions of Dental Hygiene's Annual Six Dental Hygienists You Want to Know. The ADHA honored Manski in 2017 with the ADHA Irene Newman Award, which honors individuals who advance the art and science of the dental hygiene profession. 

She was appointed by former Gov. Larry Hogan to serve on the Maryland Commission for Women from 2015 to 2018, which advises the executive and legislative branches of government on the issues of concern to women and girls in Maryland. 

Manski currently serves as director and associate professor, Department of General Practice, Division of Dental Hygiene, at Virginia Commonwealth School of Dentistry in Richmond, Va. She also serves as a reviewer and editorial advisory board member for multiple dental journals including Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, and Perspectives on the Midlevel Practitioner Journal. 

Manski spearheaded efforts to expand the scope of practice for dental hygienists. She was active in the MDHA from 1986 to 2018 and created UMSOD’s first didactic and hands on local anesthesia course in 2006. Manski also served as Legislative co-chair of the MDHA in 2009, and her work with the MDHA and the Maryland State Dental Association led to the 2009 passing of Maryland dental hygienists' ability to administer local anesthesia. She was instrumental in other advocacy efforts in Maryland and Connecticut and continues to advocate in Virginia.  

In addition to her legislative work, Manski's commitment to advancing the dental hygiene profession is exemplified through other diverse contributions such as continuing education speaking and outstanding educator roles. She also currently serves on the ADEA’s Board of Directors, representing the Council of Allied Dental Program Directors. 

Manski remains dedicated to lifelong learning through her recent publications and ongoing pursuit of a doctorate.  

“Dental hygienists need to see how valuable and important they are to the practice of dentistry,” Manski said. “The profession is so much more than ‘cleaning teeth.’ We are the education and prevention experts in dentistry.”