Middle School Students Receive Free Dental Care at UC Smiles

According to “Oral Health in America: A Report of the U.S. Surgeon General,” tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children, occurring at five times the rate of asthma and seven times that of hay fever. The report also reveals that more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illnesses.

The University of Cincinnati and area partners are combating this problem. On Monday, May 23, 64 students from North College Hill Middle School traveled to UC's Raymond Walters College as part of the UC Smiles pilot. These 6, 7 and 8-graders spent the school day at Raymond Walters College where they received free preventive dental care, including x-rays, cleaning, a fluoride treatment and necessary sealants from supervised RWC dental hygiene students. In addition, the elementary students had the opportunity to tour campus and speak with current college students about their experience at Raymond Walters.

The dental program, which is sponsored by The Dental Care Plus Group, is a new initiative designed to ensure students receive needed preventive dental care while also exposing them to the college environment at an early age.

According to Cady Short-Thompson, dean of RWC, “We’re so excited to host this partnership as it is a fantastic way to build and reinforce the importance of a college education--and how college is affordable and in each of these students' future-- early in these youngsters' lives. We want them to know our campus and feel welcome here.”

She continues, “We hope that we will expand our partnership to additional area schools next year, such as Norwood and Roosevelt Community Schools. Plus this is great experience for our own students. Our dental hygiene students are eager to work with younger patients who have brand new 12-year molars!”

Anthony A. Cook, president and CEO of The Dental Care Plus Group, explains his involvement, “DCPG was founded in greater Cincinnati by area dentists and this community remains our headquarters, so finding ways to support organizations that are able and willing to provide greater access to dental care is important to us.” 

He adds, “When Dean Thompson approached us about our support, we thought the program was well thought out and designed to produce value for the children involved. We also appreciate the dental hygienist school operated at RWC since these students could someday be involved in the care of many of our members.”

Thanks to The Dental Care Plus Group’s sponsorship, each student left with a “goodie bag” chock full of pencils, puzzles, tooth erasers and other small items, and – of course – some instructions for good at-home dental care hygiene. Four gift cards were also given through a random drawing.

North College Hill Middle School Principal Joanna Sears summed up the goal of the day, “Our students are benefiting from this program in multiple ways. In addition to essential dental care, they have the opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of college. Planning for post-secondary education has to start before high school. We want our students to realize that college can be a reality for them, but it takes goal-setting, hard work and perseverance.”

The following statistics show the breadth of problem in the nation and here in Greater Cincinnati:

• Dental care is the number-one unmet health care need of Ohio children. (Ohio Department of Health Access to Dental Care Report, 2010)
• Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children, occurring at five times the rate of asthma and seven times that of hay fever. (Oral Health in America: A Report of the U.S. Surgeon General, 2003)
• More than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illnesses. (Oral Health in America: A Report of the U.S. General Surgeon, 2003)
• By age 8, an estimated 52% of children have had tooth decay; and 78% of children who are 17 years of age have tooth decay. (www.cdc.gov)
• Dental disease can threaten a child’s health, well-being and ability to achieve, and children with oral health problems can have difficulty eating, sleeping and paying attention in school. (Oral Health in America: A Report of the U.S. Surgeon General, 2003)
• According to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, an estimated 43% of Cincinnati 8-year-olds have significant tooth decay, yet only 40% of the population have dental insurance to treat and prevent the problems associated with poor oral health.
• According to national trends, 25 % of children have not seen a dentist before entering kindergarten.