Oral hygiene, X-rays and fillings will be the focus of free dental
appointments at Owens Community College as more than 150 area elementary
and high school students’ teeth are transformed to pearly whites during
the Give Kids A Smile Day on Feb. 4.
Owens’ Dental Hygiene program, in collaboration with the Toledo Dental
Society, will be offering a day of free dental services for children
with limited or no access to care ages six months to 18 from 8 a.m. to
noon and 1 to 4 p.m. at the college’s Dental Hygiene Clinic. The clinic
is located in Health Technologies Hall on the Toledo-area campus.
Additionally, Toledo Dental Society dentists and Expanded Functions
Dental Auxiliary will provide restorative treatments such as fillings
and extractions for patients on Feb. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Give Kids A Smile Day is a national initiative by the American Dental
Association, which is dedicated to focusing attention on the epidemic of
untreated oral disease among disadvantaged children. Held each February
in conjunction with National Children’s Dental Health Month, Give Kids A
Smile Day provides free oral health education, screening and treatment
services to children from low-income families across the country.
“Owens Community College’s Dental Hygiene program is proud to once again
participate in such a worthwhile endeavor and provide dental services
to individuals in need,” said Beth Tronolone, Owens chairwoman of dental
hygiene. “Give Kids A Smile Day is also a wonderful opportunity to
raise the importance and awareness of preventive dental care such as
flossing, brushing and regular dental visits. Our goal is give each
attendee a positive dental experience and help them feel comfortable
smiling again.”
Owens Dental Hygiene second-year students, faculty and alumni, and area
dentists will be conducting dental services, which will include dental
education and screening, X-rays, oral prophylaxis (cleanings), limited
restorations and dental sealants. In addition, first-year students from
the health program will provide educational presentations for parents
and children.
The college’s Dental Hygiene program provides more than 40 students with
a fully accredited, scientifically current and competency-based
curriculum annually. Students receive classroom instruction as well as
hands-on experience in the Dental Hygiene Clinic, while preparing to sit
for the national, state or regional exam in dental hygiene. Owens’
program also offers dental services to area residents through its Dental
Hygiene Clinic. The 20-chair clinic is staffed by dental hygiene
students and supervised by licensed dental professionals at Owens, and
appointments are available during the fall and spring semesters for a
$25 fee.
Individuals interested in receiving free dental service are should
contact the College’s Dental Hygiene Clinic at (567) 661-7294 or (800)
GO-OWENS, ext. 7294. Appointment reservations must be made.