Fones School of Dental Hygiene Awarded $25,000 From Centrix, Inc.

Centrix, Inc., a leading manufacturer of dentistry products, has pledged $25,000 to endow scholarships at Fones School of Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport, the school announced Monday.

“Centrix’s generous gift enables us to reward those students who, by their exemplary work and dedication to the profession of dental hygiene, will be among tomorrow’s best health care providers,” said Fones School Dean Meg Zayan. “We are delighted and most grateful for this commitment to our students and our school.”

Named in honor of Centrix founder Dr. William B. Dragan, the scholarships will be awarded to one dental hygiene student annually who demonstrates financial need and academic excellence. To qualify for the awards, students also must be residents of Connecticut and must have completed 30 semester hours.

Under the grant, the Shelton, Conn., company will fund the endowment over a period of time. In the interim, Centrix and the University of Bridgeport each will award $1,500 scholarships annually for dental hygiene students. The first scholarships will be awarded for the 2009-2010 academic year.

“It is our pleasure to give this scholarship to students of dental hygiene and to increase awareness and prevention of dental diseases,” said Centrix President Bill Dragan. “My father has contributed to the improvement of dental health throughout his career, both through the company he founded and through his dental practice. It is my hope that the recipients of these William B. Dragan Scholarships will continue in his footsteps of service, to improve the art and profession of dental care.”

Dr. Dragan founded Centrix in 1970 with the idea of creating products that make dentistry easier. He developed and patented the first practical syringe delivery system with disposable CR tubes and plugs. Today, Centrix products are distributed in 53 countries around the world, and the company continues to develop products that help dentists in their everyday practices.