CNC’s dental studies students will help more Prince George elementary students show off their pearly whites this month.
The 17th annual Seal in a Smile program runs May 2 to 23, 2017, and features four weeks of free CNC dental clinics for approximately 207 Peden Hill elementary students, providing cleanings, fluoride treatment and sealants.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, Kindergarten to Grade 7 students are bused to the CNC Prince George campus, where they will have their teeth cleaned. Some students may need to return if they need sealants.
“It’s an opportunity for our dental assisting students to work with children in those age groups to place sealants, deliver oral health education, polish the children’s teeth, and place fluoride,” said CNC clinic co-ordinator Heather Brown. “It’s a really fun time for them and they’ll work at a different pace with these age groups.”
“These children will benefit from having these treatments done,” said Brown. “Our sponsors have been very good to us, providing donations of sundries and supplies. Without them, this wouldn’t happen.”
Those sponsors include 3M Canada, Sunstar, Sinclair Dental, Pulpdent, Henry Schein Ash Arcona and the Prince George and District Dental Society. The City of Prince George also donated swim passes for the round the children’s goodie bags.
Northern Health chooses a different school each year based on need and proximity to the college. Once selected, the dental students visit the school, offering dental health workshops and preparing the elementary students for what will happen when they visit the CNC clinic for their preventative services.
“It’s a great partnership and there’s nothing like it offered anywhere else in BC,” said Northern Health’s certified dental assistant Kim Meise. “The students receive preventative dental services they may not get elsewhere. The clinics offer a fun and educational opportunity for children to learn about maintaining a health mouth and smile for a lifetime.”