Dana Godbout Laake, RDH, MS

For her transformative work on behalf of her profession and creating innovative solutions for those living with complex health conditions, Dana Godbout Laake is the 2025 Linda DeVore Hygiene Dental Hygiene Alumni 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. A committed educator, DeVore was active in dental hygiene education, scholarship, and public service, serving as chair of UMSOD’s Department of Dental Hygiene from 1993 to 2003 and president of the American Dental Education Association in 1994.   

Laake earned a Bachelor of Science degree from UMSOD; Master of Science in nutrition from the University of Maryland, College Park; and a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) certificate from Temple University. Although she worked as a clinical hygienist for 23 years, her accomplishments span the medical and dental professions. A licensed dietitian nutritionist, she also focused on patient care at Dana Laake Nutrition, a medical nutrition practice that has been located in Maryland since 1997.   

Co-author of “The Kid-Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook” and “The ADHD and Autism Nutritional Supplement Handbook,” Laake is a popular contributor to journals, newsletters, and blogs. For decades, she hosted the “Health, Lifestyle & Nutrition for the 21st Century” radio show on WTOP-1500 AM in Washington D.C. She has been a sought-after guest speaker on National Public Radio and cable TV shows and has presented more than 500 courses and workshops to the health communities.

The first registered licensed hygienist in the country to receive a gubernatorial appointment to a state board of dental examiners, Laake served two terms on the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners. She also served for decades on the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners and was the first dental hygienist to serve on its Dental Examination Committee. A longtime advocate, she worked as a Maryland House of Delegates legislative assistant on health issues and received two gubernatorial appointments to the Maryland Department of Health’s State Board of Dietetic Practice. 

 “When I was first appointed to the Maryland Board of Dental Examiners, I was advised by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association that my goal was to stay on the board,” she said. “Although the change that occurred in Maryland was extremely controversial — it was the 1970s — and a serious concern among the dental boards, the Maryland board recommended enthusiastically that the inclusion of dental hygienists on the boards would be beneficial. This support ultimately resonated throughout the country, resulting in positive changes. I have always been appreciative of the Maryland board for its support and integrity.” 

 Laake’s transformative efforts on behalf on those with autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), have been recognized with many honors, including being named a 50th Anniversary Outstanding Alumnus by Temple University in 1977.