Sealants Across Texas

WHO: Second-year Del Mar College Dental Hygiene students; members of the Corpus Christi District Dental Hygiene Society; local volunteer dentists and dental hygienists; and first through fifth grade elementary school children from low income households

WHAT: Free Sealant Clinic and Dental Exams for Disadvantaged Elementary School Children, sponsored by Del Mar College’s Dental Hygiene Program and the Corpus Christi District Dental Hygiene Society

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23

WHERE: Dental Hygiene Clinic, Room 108, Garcia Health Sciences Building, East Campus, Ayers and Edwards Streets (map available at www.delmar.edu/maps/east.html)

VISUALS: Second-year DMC Dental Hygiene students assisting local dentists and dental hygienists as first- through fifth-graders receive dental screenings and sealant treatments on healthy permanent teeth. DMC students will also provide help with procedures for infection control, sterilization of tools and the seating and dismissing of young patients during the free clinic.

FYI: October is Dental Health Month. Each year during the month, local societies of the Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association (TDHA), which holds an affiliation with the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, reach out to their communities and provide dental care to disadvantaged children across the state. “Sealants Across Texas” is a service-oriented initiative designed to help prevent tooth decay among young children. Among those services, dentists and dental hygienists apply free sealant treatments on youngsters’ healthy permanent teeth.

This year’s local event is set for Saturday, Oct. 23, in Del Mar College’s Dental Clinic on the East Campus. Second-year Del Mar Dental Hygiene students will assist members of the Corpus Christi District Dental Hygiene Society (CCDDHS) using the College’s facility to screen first- through third-graders’ teeth and oral health habits.

Among the local dentists participating during this year’s event are Dr. David G. Arreguín, director of the College’s Dental Programs, and Dr. Theresa Morrse. Youngsters from low income households, who might otherwise not receive dental care, can expect these two dentists to screen their teeth for obvious decay, examine their bites to see how teeth align and check for lumps, lesions or pathology sores during examinations.

“While other conditions are rare, kids can get gingivitis if they don’t brush their teeth. We need to impress upon these youngsters the steps they should take for healthy oral care now and in the future,” notes Dr. Arreguín of the services being provided on Saturday. “Volunteers will discuss proper dental care and healthy habits with children and parents participating during the clinic.”

To encourage healthy dental practices, children will also receive toothbrushes, provided through a grant from the Coastal Bend Health Education Center at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, along with toothpaste, stickers and information covering proper oral care.