Community and Preventive Dentistry Program
The following represents a few of the highlights from the annual Community and Preventive Dentistry calendar:
SIU SDM Provides More Than $60,000 in Free Care During Give Kids a Smile Day
The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) hosted its 13th annual Give Kids a Smile Day on October 8, 2019. Nearly 110 children between the ages of 3-13 received free comprehensive dental care valued at approximately $61,000 while also enjoying fun education activities highlighting the importance of oral health.
Ebonee Strong, of St. Louis, brought her three-year-old to Give Kids a Smile Day, because she understands the importance of oral health.
“I’ve noticed she has said her teeth hurt when she bites into an apple, and I don’t want her to have any kind of problem with her teeth,” Strong said. “I want her smile to match her great personality. My goal is to keep her healthy. It’s important for her to have fun and go to the dentist.”
All dental services were provided by SIU SDM faculty, students and staff, members of the Madison and St. Clair district dental societies, and Lewis and Clark Community College dental assisting and dental hygiene faculty and students. Professionals and volunteers from the community also participated.
First and second year SIU SDM students offered engaging educational activities, while third and fourth year students worked in the clinic.
Read more about this outstanding day of community service.
SIU SDM Provides Nearly $22,000 in Free Dental Care During Veteran’s Care Day
Faculty, staff and students at the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) demonstrated their appreciation for the sacrifice and service of the nation’s veterans by providing free dental care at the inaugural Veteran’s Care Day on November 15, 2019.
“I jumped on this opportunity,” said Jason York, of Macomb, who served in the Air Force from 1993-97. “This was a great offering for veterans. I’ve seen a lot of people here for a lot of major dental work that has to be done. You can tell they’re comfortable at the SIU School of Dental Medicine.”
SIU SDM third- and fourth-year dental students, under the supervision of dental school faculty who are all licensed dentists, provided free exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings and extractions at no cost. Nearly $22,000 worth of free comprehensive care was provided to 33 patients.
Edwardsville native Kathy Long brought her father, Clarence Korte, a WWII veteran, to Veteran’s Care Day.
“I have aging parents and their insurance doesn’t cover dental care, so we were thrilled to learn of this opportunity,” Long said. “You can’t believe the relief on these veterans’ faces just being able to get this service done. They are incredibly thankful.”
“We were thrilled with the service,” she added, “and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with the other veterans as we waited.”
Robert Jones, of Glen Carbon, served overseas in Germany in 1960-62.
“The process was easy, and I was greeted quite nicely,” he said of his experience. “I’m glad the snow didn’t keep us away!”
“We understand that the selflessness of those who serve our country is the very reason we enjoy our freedoms,” said Katie Kosten, DMD, director of Community Dentistry. “We know there are a lot of veterans in need of dental care. This was a way that we could give back in the way we are equipped. We were honored to say thank you to our veterans.”
SIU SDM Celebrates National Children’s Dental Health Month
The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) hosted nearly 300 local children throughout February 2019 in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM). Every Monday and Friday during NCDHM, third-year students lead educational activities centered on proper hygiene and diet, while fourth-year students conduct screenings under the supervision of licensed dental faculty.
The SIU SDM welcomed 268 kindergarten and second grade students from Roxana South Primary School, and another 19 children from Saints Peter and Paul School. All those with signed consent forms receive screenings, an important, non-invasive check of the teeth for the benefit of the students and their guardians.
“This community offering is an opportunity for us to educate children on basic oral principles, and identify any issues going on with their teeth that parents need to be aware of,” said Katie Kosten, DMD, assistant professor and director of community dentistry. “For our dental students, it’s a great opportunity for them to practice their clinical skills, build rapport and service the community in a meaningful way.”
Read more about this full month of community denistry.
Madison County Oral Health Education Program
Our students are actively engaged in outreach activities including providing oral health promotion at elementary, middle and high schools in Madison County. As part of the Clinical Community Dentistry course, Year III and IV students work in teams, which generally consist of 2 students. Each team is assigned to classes at a Madison County elementary school, middle school and high school. Student teams conduct a needs assessment at each school, after meeting with school administrators and the school nurse. They then make age-appropriate oral health presentations to each class in elementary and middle schools twice per semester and to high school classes once per semester.
As the dental students graduate from year III to year IV, they move with the public school students; i.e., if they were assigned to grade 3 in their Year III, they move to grade 4 in their year IV. At the end of year IV, students write a service-learning paper describing their experiences at public schools and the impact they have made on the students.
Oral screenings and oral health education in the community
Another component of the Clinical Community Dentistry program involves student participation in oral screenings and oral health education in our community. Year III and Year IV students actively participate in local health fairs and provide oral cancer screenings at various venues, including sites in East St. Louis and Senior Services Plus locations. Students make oral health presentations to mothers in a local Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, parents of kids in the Riverbend Head Start Program, and provide screenings and education to the children at the Madison County Youth Detention Home.
Special Needs Patient Care
Year III students get didactic instruction and clinical experience in special needs patient management and/or care. Each student’s clinical experience consists of rotations through our Special needs Clinic and another off-site experience. We provide screenings at the William Bedell Centers for children and adults every year. We also provide screenings for the athletes at the Area 12 Special Olympics games in Edwardsville every year. In addition, our students work at a residential facility for people with developmental disabilities- Beverly Farms, under Dr. Scott Wolter's supervision.
Geriatric Dentistry
Year IV students receive didactic instruction and clinical experience in managing elderly patients living independently in the community as well as those in assisted living institutions or nursing homes. Our students provide annual screenings for the residents of our local nursing home- Eunice Smith. Each student also provides in-service training to our local nursing home staff and a presentation on a relevant topic to elderly people in our community.
