22 December 2025

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Marianne Dryer Receives Distinguished Forsyth Alumni Award

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The Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene at MCPHS University is proud to announce Marianne Dryer, RDH, MEd, as the recipient of the 2025 Dr. Esther Wilkins Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award.

Dryer earned her dental hygiene degree from the Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene in 1983 and has since become a highly respected national and international speaker, published author, and dental hygiene educator. She is widely recognized for her expertise in periodontal instrumentation, ultrasonic technology, clinical calibration, and risk-based care.

Following her graduation from Forsyth, Dryer earned a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from Old Dominion University and a Master of Education from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. She currently serves as the Program Director of Dental Hygiene at Cape Cod Community College in Massachusetts, where she leads curriculum innovation, faculty development, and competency-based clinical education focused on elevating clinical excellence and student readiness.

In addition to this distinction, Dryer is the 2025 Sunstar Award of Distinction recipient in Academia. Her work has been published in multiple dental hygiene journals, and she is known for integrating AI-supported assessment, ultrasonic science, and microbiome-centered strategies—including probiotic therapies such as Lactobacillus reuteri—into contemporary preventive and periodontal care.

The Dr. Esther Wilkins Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award honors graduates who exemplify professional excellence, leadership, and meaningful contributions to the advancement of dental hygiene. Dryer’s decades of innovation and dedication to education embody the values and legacy of Dr. Wilkins.

The Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene congratulates Marianne Dryer on this exceptional achievement and celebrates her continued impact on the profession.

Source: https://www.mcphs.edu/