The gift from our hearts made its way into the hearts of so many.
As dental hygienists, we are compassionate and devoted health care professionals. We focus on the preventative side of dental care and do this in so many ways. One way we were able to give back to our communities and promote oral health care was to participate in the Gift from the Heart day.
This day turned out to be a spectacular event held at Canadore College. Registered dental hygienists, students, professors, a local dentist, volunteers and several local businesses all donated their time and services to make this day a success. Although we came from different offices and never worked together prior to this day, we had a common goal and achieved so much as a team.
Promoting preventative dentistry was our mission and we made so many people smile for so many reasons. The dental hygienists worked with a dental hygiene student as a team to provide exceptional care to the clients that participated in the event. The professors guided and made sure the students were assisting us throughout the day. Angie, our assistant helped with the sterilization, Jo-Anne, Jen, Megan and Melissa our wonderful volunteers helped make our day a success.
A big “Thank You” to Dr. Lemay for volunteering his time and prescribing x-rays when needed and hoping from chair to chair to do check-ups.
Last but not least, our local businesses that helped in their own way put a smile on our clients faces. I want to list them because without them, the day would not have been such a successful one. Nugget, Cogeco, Nipissing News, Bay Today, CTV, Le Bon Marché, Clarion Pinewood Resort, North Bay Limousine, FPM3, Jar, Sofa Communications, 50 Cab, Max Propane, North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce, Basket of Wishes, Cedar Tree, Pita Pit, Magic Kettle, Twiggs, Brenne Dental Health Center, Callander Bay Dental, Dentistry on Worthington and anyone I may have forgotten.
A final “thank you” to Bev Woods, the founder of the Gift from the Heart an event we hope to carry on for many years to come.
As dental hygienists, we are compassionate and devoted health care professionals. We focus on the preventative side of dental care and do this in so many ways. One way we were able to give back to our communities and promote oral health care was to participate in the Gift from the Heart day.
This day turned out to be a spectacular event held at Canadore College. Registered dental hygienists, students, professors, a local dentist, volunteers and several local businesses all donated their time and services to make this day a success. Although we came from different offices and never worked together prior to this day, we had a common goal and achieved so much as a team.
Promoting preventative dentistry was our mission and we made so many people smile for so many reasons. The dental hygienists worked with a dental hygiene student as a team to provide exceptional care to the clients that participated in the event. The professors guided and made sure the students were assisting us throughout the day. Angie, our assistant helped with the sterilization, Jo-Anne, Jen, Megan and Melissa our wonderful volunteers helped make our day a success.
A big “Thank You” to Dr. Lemay for volunteering his time and prescribing x-rays when needed and hoping from chair to chair to do check-ups.
Last but not least, our local businesses that helped in their own way put a smile on our clients faces. I want to list them because without them, the day would not have been such a successful one. Nugget, Cogeco, Nipissing News, Bay Today, CTV, Le Bon Marché, Clarion Pinewood Resort, North Bay Limousine, FPM3, Jar, Sofa Communications, 50 Cab, Max Propane, North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce, Basket of Wishes, Cedar Tree, Pita Pit, Magic Kettle, Twiggs, Brenne Dental Health Center, Callander Bay Dental, Dentistry on Worthington and anyone I may have forgotten.
A final “thank you” to Bev Woods, the founder of the Gift from the Heart an event we hope to carry on for many years to come.
Students team up with dental hygienists to offer a day of free oral care
By MARIA CALABRESE The Nugget
Pearly whites are the window to a healthy body, and students are teaming up with dental hygienists to offer care to people in financial need who don't usually access this service.
Canadore College's graduating class of dental hygienists will donate their time on Feb. 11 to offer one day of free service to children and adults.
"I think it's just a way to help build some relationships with local dental hygienists," said their professor Terra Bourre.
Canadore students routinely offer dental care to the public, although this is the first time the school has joined Gift from the Heart, an annual Valentine's Day event when some hygienists in Ontario volunteer to offer their services at no cost.
Bev Woods, a dental hygienist in Trenton, Ont., started the program in 2009, and it's gaining traction in other parts of the country.
"It's a way to give back for those who don't normally access regular preventative care," said Chantal Pannell, owner and operator of Hilltop Dental Hygiene Clinic.
Pannell has been doing the job for 14 years in Canada and abroad. She opened up her independent practice seven months ago and is leading the charge to provide a day of free oral health care.
Hygienists do more than remove plaque and tarter and polish teeth. They review each patient's medical history, screen for sores or lesions that might indicate oral cancer, offer gum care, teeth whitening, desensitizing and denture cleaning.
Pannell also directs patients to other services if she suspects health conditions based on conversations with her patients.
She'll be booking appointments in the coming weeks after finalizing the hours for the day of free dental hygiene expected to be held at the college which has 13 dental chairs in its program.
Pannell is also looking for businesses to participate by printing posters, promoting the event on their social media websites, providing transportation to families in need and donating coffee, tea and snacks.
Call Pannell at 478-8584 for more information.
mcalabrese@nugget.ca
Wendy Andrews, Gentle Hands Dental Hygiene (Beamsville, ON) continues to give back to here community.
