Contributed by Dana Seelye, Campus Librarian and Student Services Coordinator
L to R: Dental Assisting Student Theresa Doan and her patient of the day, Catherine Tran.
The Dental Assisting group at our Remington College – Fort Worth Campus hosted its annual “Safe Smiles” event on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Accompanied by their parents, more than 30 children were on hand to enjoy several fun and educational activities that helped to ease their parents’ minds about their children’s safety and dental health.
A Lasting Impression
First, the children in attendance were guided into the dental lab on Campus to have an impression taken of their bite. In addition to having a child’s unique dental record that can be used for identification purposes if needed, this was a great way for children to gain more knowledge about how each tooth functions as they chew. These impressions will also serve as a great memento for parents to view later, as their children grow, and see just how small they once were.
L to R: Fort Worth Pharmacy Instructor Danielle Massey and her daughter Kayla.
Scrubbing Bubbles
Next, the children were taken to another room, where proper brushing techniques were demonstrated. It was such fun to see the children use a toothbrush on a funny character and practice brushing up and down and side to side.
Color Me Clean!
They day ended with a coloring contest. Children chose a favorite cartoon character in a scene showing proper dental hygiene and used their best coloring techniques to create a beautiful reminder of the goal of the day: safe smiles. First-place winners in the coloring contest were Kayla Massie (in the 3 to 5 age group), Catherine Tran (in the 6 to 8 age group), and Rachael Walz (in the 9 to 12 age group).
The Results Speak for Themselves
Whenever our students volunteer, they gain so much. It’s something they can add to their résumé and an avenue for giving back to the community, of course, but it’s also a golden opportunity for them to get a very real glimpse at their potential future as they contemplate what it might be like to work with patients, and particularly, with children.
Fort Worth Campus Dental Assisting student and first-time Safe Smiles volunteer Jennifer Pollard said the experience was fun and exciting but very different than what she had expected. Our Fort Worth students did an excellent job relating to the parents in attendance and to the children, many of whom have not yet been to a dentist.
It’s safe to say that everyone on the Fort Worth Campus left that day with a smile!
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