College of Dental Medicine students provide free care to children during national event

Dental student Emily Richard provides a cleaning during the Give Kids A Smile event
Dental student Emily Richard provides a cleaning during the Give Kids A Smile event

ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ dental students, faculty, and professional staff provided 46 children with free oral health education, dental screenings, cleanings, fluoride, and sealants as part of Give Kids A Smile, the American Dental Association Foundation’s annual volunteer initiative.

Children from Old Orchard Beach’s Jameson Elementary School and Loranger Memorial School came to ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ’s Oral Health Center (OHC) to receive the services.

β€œThe ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ College of Dental Medicine was excited to participate in the Give Kids A Smile program,” stated Jon Ryder, D.D.S., M.S., dean of ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ’s College of Dental Medicine. β€œOral health is integral to overall health. Untreated dental disease is painful and affects a child’s physical, emotional, and social development. Kids with untreated dental decay can’t eat or sleep properly, and they can’t concentrate in school.”

Dental disease is preventable, and it starts with access and education.

β€œΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ is a private school with a public mission,” commented Angela Westhoff, executive director of the Maine Dental Association. β€œI think this was a great opportunity for the dental students to see pediatric patients and give back in a way that's meaningful. This may be the first time some of the children have seen a dentist, so the Oral Health Center may eventually become a dental home for some of their families.”

The event was featured on .

β€œIt's a great introduction for coming to the dentist,” Courtney Schapira, D.D.S., ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ group practice leader, told WGME. β€œIt is not meant to be a scary experience, and it is not a scary experience, but for whatever reason it has that stigma, and it should not.”

ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ students, faculty, and professional staff typically go out to several schools each year to provide preventative services for children. With this event, the schools provided transportation to the OHC, which helped introduce the children to the dental environment.

β€œWe get the kids to feel comfortable in the dental chair, and they’re excited to be here with their friends while they're receiving the care,” said Emily Richard (D.M.D, ’21). β€œIt was a challenge and a learning experience because not everyone gets to work with kids in their patient population here at the Oral Health Center.”

Thousands of dentists across the country give their time each year as part of Give Kids A Smile, providing underserved children with much needed dental care.

A videographer from WGME captured the event for broadcast during an evening newscast
A videographer from WGME captured the event for broadcast during an evening newscast
The event helps ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ students learn how to make pediatric patients feel comfortable in the dental chair
The event helps ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ students learn how to make pediatric patients feel comfortable in the dental chair
Students Drew Sigman and Sofia Reagan provide care to a student from Old Orchard Beach
Students Drew Sigman and Sofia Reagan provide care to a student from Old Orchard Beach

About the ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ

The ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.