How to teach your child healthy dental
hygiene habits

Alaina Stango has over 12 years of clinical dental hygiene experience in direct patient care. She currently serves as Senior PHDHP Project Analyst on the PHDHP Dental Care Management Team, where she supports program operations and strategic initiatives. Alaina earned an associate degree in dental hygiene from Westmoreland County Community College and a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene and education from the University of Pittsburgh. She completed her Master of Science in Health Informatics at the University of Pittsburgh in 2025 and holds a Graduate Certificate in Health Information Technology from George Washington University. Passionate about leveraging technology to enhance workflows and improve systems, Alaina enjoys developing innovative solutions that optimize efficiency. She has presented on topics including Maternal and Infant Oral Health and Infant Feeding and Oral Care for the Dental Professional.

Barb Hammerschmitt is a Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner (PHDHP) Dental Care Manager with UPMC for You. She has been in this position since 2017. Prior to that, she worked as a Registered Dental Hygienist in the clinical setting for more than 30 years. Barb studied at the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a certificate in Dental Hygiene, a bachelor's degree in health and related professions, and a master's degree in public health. In her role as a Dental Care Manager, she helps promote good oral health for UPMC for You and CHIP members. She collaborates with and supports mobile dental teams who go into communities to provide dental services. She participates in community events and health fairs and presents dental education in classroom settings. She has developed and presented continuing education courses to include a variety of topics. She enjoys vacationing at the beach, reading, and going out to hear live music. She enjoys anything water-related and loves an adrenaline rush.