October 2, 2003
College and Community Coming Together to Provide Free Sealant Treatments
to Elementary School Students at Del Mar Dental Clinic on Oct. 4 as Part of
“Sealants Across Texas”
Disadvantaged first- through third-graders receiving exams and how-to instructions
for healthy oral care
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 third grade elementary school children
from low income households
WHAT: Free Sealant Clinic and Dental Exams for First through Third Graders,
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. 4
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 third-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. 4, 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, Dr.
Theresa Morrse, Dr. Kim Feuaquey, Dr. John Baucum, Dr. Anna Ashley and Dr. Arnoldo
Cuellar. Youngsters from low income households, who might otherwise not receive
dental care, can expect these 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.
The College’s dental clinic also provides services to the public throughout
the week each semester. Sophomore students administer sealant treatments and
cleanings as part of their training in the Dental Hygiene Program and under
the supervision of instructors. Among some of the other services the clinic
provides to the community at no charge are:
• medical history review
• radiographs (x-rays)
• blood pressure screening
• fluoride treatments as needed
• intra-oral examination
• selective polishing
• dental preliminary assessment
• conservative periodontal therapy
• periodontal assessment
• dental hygiene therapy
• education on oral dental hygiene
Hours of operation for the fall semester (September through mid December) are
as follows:
Monday: 9 a.m. to noon and 1p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. to noon
Friday: Closed
Individuals interested in services provided by Del Mar’s Dental Clinic
can contact Kathy Johnson, patient care clerk, by calling 698-1313 or 698-1314
or emailing dhclinic@delmar.edu.
CONTACTS: Marian Tajchman, RDH, BS and adjunct Dental Hygiene faculty
member, at 361/698-2309 or mtajchman@delmar.edu
or Dr. David Arreguín, DDS and director of Dental Programs, at 361/698-1358
or darreguin@delmar.edu.
-DMC-me