By Dr. Joseph D. Lim
Students are role models too.
And this is what dental student did, teaching children about proper oral hygiene.
“These are excellent opportunities for students to be in the community providing prevention education and being role models for the younger students to learn about oral health care and also about how to be a dentist,” said Dr. Sarita Arteaga, Associate Dean for Students at the School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut (UConn).
Students at the UConn School of Dental Medicine recently provided oral hygiene education to elementary school students during an after-school program at Maria Sanchez Elementary School in Hartford, Connecticut.
They used false teeth, for example, to help educate elementary school students on proper brushing and flossing techniques.
Nathalia Hernandez, a second-year student who led team of 14 dental students, believes that oral health education is the first step in achieving a proper hygiene routine, especially for children, writes Courtney Chandler of UConn Health.
“For this population, it can be difficult to recognize the importance of factors like brushing and flossing, minimizing sugar, and drinking more water and their role in dental hygiene,” Ms. Hernandez said.
By conducting programs like these, it can serve as a reminder to brush their teeth at night at home which can make a difference in diseases like early childhood tooth decay, she said.
The dental students gave presentations and conducted experiments to help the younger students understand the importance of brushing teeth.
To show how toothpaste can protect teeth from acidic substances, the dental students covered white chalk with toothpaste and placed the chalk in vinegar to show how the chalk dissolves less with toothpaste present.
The UConn students also facilitated a hands-on tooth brushing and flossing simulation, allowing the children to practice on a set of false teeth.
“I am passionate because programs like these are part of a large effort of preventative steps that can be taken at school or at home to give children their best prognosis in their oral health,” Ms. Hernandez said.
UConn’s dental faculty has been recognized internationally for its work in oral medicine and cancer.
Last April, Professor Douglas Peterson of UConn’s School of Dental Medicine, received the King James IV Professorship by the Royal College of Surgeons/Edinburgh and named Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the first dental degree recipient of that honor (Oncology is the study of cancer).
The King James Professorship is the most senior academic award made by the Royal College. Founded in 1506 by King James IV of Scotland, Queen Elizabeth II gave permission for the College to use the title King James IV Professorship.
Up to five professorships are awarded annually based on outstanding contributions to the surgical sciences. In 2011, Dr. Peterson was also awarded a fellowship in dental surgery without examination through the Royal College of Surgeons/Edinburgh.
He was also recently named a 2022 Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology award honors the society’s most dedicated members and volunteers and recognizes extraordinary volunteer service, engagement and dedication to the field of clinical oncology.
Dr. Peterson is the first dental degree recipient since the award’s inception in 2007.
Now, that’s another role model.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De La Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./WDJ