Photo // Claire McKenna
THE FUTURE OF DENTAL CARE. Dental hygiene students pose during their “Give Kids a Smile” event on Feb. 17. Back row (left to right): Jayla Williams, Anahi Ceballos, Taya Stewart and Macy Vondoloski; front row (left to right): Pamela Murillo, Brooke Stafford, Carsyn Ryan.
By: Claire McKenna
Staff-Writer
On Feb. 17, IU South Bend’s dental clinic hosted the Give Kids a Smile initiative. Partnering with HealthLinc, senior dental hygiene students were able to give local children free dental cleanings, including fluoride varnish and sealants. There were also demonstrations for brushing and flossing teeth, as well as nutritional education. After the cleaning, HealthLinc workers that were tabling at the event would follow up with patients and their parents about continuing dental health at home.
The day for the dental hygienists was a little slow, with three or four patients visiting. This event was typically by appointment, but walk-ins were welcomed in case of cancellations. The ages of patients ranged from 18 months to 18-years-old. Babies that were too young to sit still were still given the chance to sit in the dental chair and get comfortable.
This experience was important for the patients, but especially the dental hygienists. Julie WaltonClark and Taya Stewart, two senior dental hygiene students, said they learned from the opportunity.
“I enjoyed it – I saw younger kids, around one or two,” Stewart said. “It was nice to experience how a kid’s appointment would go, but it helped me realize that pediatrics is not something I want to go into. I think it is too fast paced for me.”
Photo // Claire McKenna SHOW ME HOW YOU BRUSH. Students Shae Udelhofen, Oliver Barajas, Hailey Hunsberger and Fernanda Arroyo prepare to give a teeth-brushing demonstration to kids.
Stewart would prefer to work with adults, but said she wouldn’t mind working in family practice. WaltonClark, on the other hand, really enjoyed working with the kids.
“I do want to work in pediatrics, potentially,” WaltonClark said. “And I have not gotten a bad kid, all the kids were really nice!”
The two also commented on how important an event like this was to the community.
“Most people don’t realize how much your oral health is connected to your systemic health,” Stewart said. “So, having events like this can communicate to children and parents how important it is to take care of themselves.”
“A lot of the kids I saw already had cavities,” WaltonClark added. “We don’t treat them there, but having a program to let them see what they need to get fixed is important. It is better to try and change their habits now.”
This event is held annually and is open to the South Bend community. Unfortunately, IU South Bend students cannot attend the event, but the IU South Bend dental clinic does provide student cleanings by appointment for $15.