PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) — It’s one of the first things people notice: your smile.
Close to 100 kids spent their Friday morning on the dentist chair getting their teeth checked out at the hands of volunteers and students at Shawnee State University.
It’s all part of the ‘Give Kids A Smile’ Ohio program, which kicked off Friday morning at Shawnee State.
The program tries to reach at-risk youth who either haven’t seen a dentist in a while, or who have never been seen by a dentist.
“It speaks to the giving heart of being a dentist, of wanting to give back,” said Hal Jeter, the president of the Ohio Dental Association. “(It’s about) taking the abilities, the skills that we’ve been taught, and using for the good of someone who may not be able to access it any other way.”
It’s there where children got some preventive care, while learning to keep up with their oral hygiene.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to learn about their teeth and take care of the,” said Paige Abbinante, a second year student in Shawnee State’s dental hygiene program.
“It gives them that education and lets them have a fun experience as well,” said Marie Richey, the clinical coordinator at Shawnee State University’s dental hygiene program. “Hopefully they’re all going to take home their new brushing, flossing, and oral hygiene knowledge to make some good decisions.”
Richey says there’s been a shortage of dentists and hygienists throughout the country, partly because of the pandemic.
Ritchie says since our Tri-State area is so much more rural, dentists and hygienists are in high demand to keep up with patients.
The Ohio Department of Health found 7 of the 11 counties with the poorest oral health are in Appalachia. Therefore, events like ‘Give Kids A Smile’ help address those disparities.
Shawnee State University’s dental clinic is a student-run clinic.
That’s how students get their practice.
They offer cleanings for adults at $25. Kids and senior citizens are $10.
If your child plays sports, they can get a custom made athletic mouth guard while they’re being treated at no extra charge.
You can make an appointment by calling (740) 351-3241.
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