Dental Club teaches kids to care for teeth
Children in the Edith Bowen Lab after-school club opened mouths wide for a free fluoride treatment and educational presentation as part of Wednesday’s USU Dental Club service project.
As their first teaching project, Dental Club students taught the children how to correctly brush and floss through a variety of hands-on activities. Each child was provided a toothbrush and piece of string and then shown how to brush their teeth softly, in tiny circles for 60 seconds, as well as floss up and down in between each tooth.
“We had anticipated their short attention spans and eagerness to participate, and tried to incorporate an interactive educational environment,” said Dental Club President Spencer Knight. Knight, a senior studying biology, said the kids seemed to respond well to the activity.
“We’re trying to help them understand that if they take care of their teeth now, later, down the road, they’re not going to have problems,” said Trenton Morill, Dental Club treasurer and senior majoring in chemistry.
After learning how to brush and floss properly, students who had permission from their parents had a fluoride treatment administered by USU students.
“Some parents are against fluoride,” Knight said. “But we obviously think its something that’s super beneficial that will prevent cavities in the long run.”
Advisers of the Edith Bowen Little Blue After School Club said they were excited for the Dental Club’s visit.
“It’s fun to have something new and different,” said psychology major Ashley Goodwin, student-mentor for the after-school club. “The kids know that these guys are adults and they respect them, but they also know that they’re not total grown-ups, so (the kids) can have fun and you get to see their real personalities.”
The Little Blue After School Club, formed in September 2011, gives 25-40 kids the chance to interact with members of the college community.
“It helps a lot, because (the kids) are able to see what it’s like to be a big person and interact with them,” said Analisa Smith, faculty adviser for the club. The USU students who come to help the after-school club instill a desire for education in the kids and benefit by building relationships and connections, Smith added.
Members of the Dental Club who participate in service projects, such as this, also accumulate a number of service hours for dental school applications, as well as some first-hand dental experience, Morill said.
“As a club, our mission is two-fold,” Morill said. “We want our members to make positive differences in the community through service and hard work, as well as strengthen their applications through these experiences.”
With these goals in mind, the 40-member Dental Club hosts a plethora of other activities aimed at aiding the community, while helping students and aspiring dentists.
Activities include discussions with local professionals, tours of dental schools, service at the Children and Family Support Center in Logan, a trip to Mexico during Spring Break to provide free dental care to underprivileged people, and other activities. The Dental Club presidency also encourages members to serve outside of group projects.
“I think this helps foster a community-building relationship,” Knight said. “I believe it makes the local community feel that we aren’t just here for school or for ourselves, but that we are here to learn and apply what we are learning.”
Knight said the preparation and help from club members to host the educational event was fantastic.
“They had great initiative and fantastic foresight,” Knight said. “I can’t thank the club members who helped in the planning of this activity enough for all that they did.”
– allie.jeppson3@gmail.com