Page 11 - Harnett Life Winter 2020

The local initiative is part of a national event organized by the through third-graders from Greenwood Elementary and
ADA Foundation, a philanthropic arm of the American Dental screened before being selected to participate. Wesner said
Association that created Give Kids a Smile in 2003 to provide about 300 were seen at the school by a public health dental
free oral health services to underserved children. Since then, hygienist. About 150 of those could have benefitted from seal-
volunteer dentists and other dental professionals have helped ants and about 61 had their parents complete the forms needed
more than 6 million children. to receive dental care.

CCCC Dental Programs Department Chair Vicky Wesner, who Dr. Braithwaite, sporting a Batman shirt and bumble bee hat
led the outreach in Sanford, said the real purpose of Give Kids with antennae and two large beady eyes, said Give Kids a
a Smile is to provide dental sealants to young children as soon Smile is the first time many children see a dentist. Which raises
as their permanent teeth come in. Sealing the tooth surface re- the question: What kind of reaction do they have?
duces the chance of tooth decay and may prevent more costly
treatments, like root canals — or even tooth loss — later in life. “It varies,” he said while taking selfies with dental students
Before they head to the dental clinic, children have their teeth before his first patients arrived on the bus. “Some are quite ju-
x-rayed, and while they’re in the chair, they also have their bilant, some are nervous and everything in between, really and
teeth examined, cleaned and treated with fluoride. truly. Every child is different.”

Outside the clinic, dental hygiene students and staff led groups Oh, and does that bee hat help?
through hallways decorated with monkey balloons and other
safari-themed decorations, in and out of six stations. While the “Yes, it does,” he said. “A lot of times, it does.”
games seemed more like fun to the children, many had a seri-
ous point. As one group dressed up as dentists and played with While the event is clearly focused on taking care of children,
model teeth, station leaders gave them tips on how to brush ef- they’re not the only ones who benefit from the event. College
fectively and even quizzed them with questions like, “Do you students studying dental hygiene and dental assisting get plen-
know how many teeth grownups have?” (Just in case you’re ty of hands-on experience with children and parents save a lot
wondering, the correct answer is 32.) of money.

Students attending Give Kids a Smile this year were first- Running some quick calculations soon after the final patient

Central Carolina Community College Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting students
apply sealants to a student.
Harnett Life ~ Spring 2020 Page 11