UNE dental programs hold third 给 Kids A Smile event

的 正规澳门赌场网络 口腔医学院 (CDM)和 口腔卫生科 held their third 给 Kids A Smile event on Friday, Feb. 9, providing $14,500 in free dental care to a record 88 patients ages 4 to 18.

Three schools from Regional School Unit 23 (Old Orchard Beach) bussed their students to UNE’s 口腔健康中心, located on the Portl和 Campus for the 健康 科学s, for the event. Patient services included free dental screening examinations, 口腔卫生教育, 做一, 氟化物清漆, 和密封剂.

第一个给孩子一个微笑 was held at UNE in February 2020, the second was 举办于2023年.

的 now-annual event is part of national 给 Kids a Smile (GKAS) celebrations held across the country, in which thous和s of dentists across the country give their time each year to provide underserved children with much-needed dental care.

At UNE, the event engages students 和 教师 from both UNE’s 口腔医学 和 口腔卫生 programs in upholding the University’s mission to improve the health of people 和 communities in Maine 和 beyond.

“By hosting events like GKAS to improve access 和 education for the children of Maine, we can decrease the number impacted by dental pain that often leads to poor nutrition, 失眠, 注意力难以集中, 还缺课好几天,Nicole Kimmes说, D.D.S.他是哈佛大学院长。 正规澳门赌场网络牙科学院. “Our goal with this event is to create a fun dental experience for the OOB students while connecting families in need of a dental home with our 口腔健康中心 clinic for future care.”

RSU 23区护士莎拉·伯纳姆, RN, who leads the school district’s efforts for the GKAS initiative, said she was inspired by the children’s healthy smiles following the experience.

“It was so great to work with UNE again this year,” Burnham reflected. “Oral health is so important, so it is great to have this program offered to our district. 有了这个程序, our students can have a positive experience going to a dentist, which will make their next visit that much easier for them, 也.”

出席会议的还有 ADA福赛斯研究所, 位于剑桥, 麻萨诸塞州, 还有特蕾莎·卡希尔, executive director of the Maine Dental Association.

在回OOB的路上, each child received a goodie bag containing a toothbrush, 牙膏, 牙线, 口腔健康教育资料, 活动的表, 蜡笔, 还有一张贴纸. 父母 和 guardians received follow-up reports outlining any dental findings, 也 as vouchers for their children to receive a free comprehensive oral evaluation, 射线照片, treatment plan for a future visit at the UNE 口腔健康中心.

欧文·威廉姆斯(D).M.D., ’24) said the day was a win-win for all involved, as students gained experience in pediatric dentistry while the patients benefitted from care they may otherwise have not received.

“Pediatric dentistry is a skill that is most definitely useful when transitioning to community-based externship rotation or private practice,威廉姆斯说。. "对病人来说, I believe this can relieve dental anxiety or fear 和 hopefully increase future visits to a dentist to maintain adequate oral health.”

Kimberly Soulard, CDA, associate director of clinical affairs for the 口腔医学院, said she was grateful to all of the day’s participants for making the event possible to benefit RSU 23.

“一如既往地, it is heartwarming to see our UNE students, 专业人员, 教师, 社区合作伙伴, vendors coming together in support of this wonderful event,苏拉德说. “Seeing the children have such a positive experience in our facility encourages us to continue this annual tradition for years to come.”