Ann Arbor, MI - February 10, 2009 - More than 80 volunteers...including dental and dental hygiene students, pediatric residents, predental students, faculty, staff, and volunteer dentists from the Washtenaw District Dental Society...came to the U-M School of Dentistry to participate in the American Dental Association's annual Give Kids a Smile program on Saturday, February 7.

Dental and dental hygiene students went out of their way to make children smile, even before they stepped into the clinic. Here, second-year dental hygiene student Corinne Silvernail (left) holds a stuffed monkey and opens its mouth while second-year dental hygiene student Brandi Johnson explains to the youngster how to correctly use the toothbrush. Jerry Mastey photo

For four hours the volunteers provided oral health care to 80 youngsters from across Michigan. The children, ranging in age from 5 to 12, received free oral examinations, cleanings, and learned more about proper tooth brushing techniques and other actions they could take at home to maintain good oral health.

"I came back this year because I had a lot of fun participating last year," said third-year dental student Julie Kern. Saying she worked at the registration desk as a predental student several years earlier, Kern added, "this is better. It's great to be hands-on and helping others."

Similar sentiments were voiced by third-year dental student Javier Johnson, who also participated in last year's program. "I enjoy helping those in need, especially the kids. They really appreciate what you do for them," he said.

Another third-year dental student, Jane Stieber, also said this was the second time she participated in the GKAS program. "It's a great confidence builder for me," she said. "But more than that, it's another opportunity to apply more of what I have learned during the past year."

Participating for the first time was dental student Luke Daining (D1). "I feel it's our responsibility to give back to the community," he said. "I wanted to start doing that early in my dental studies, and for me this is one way to do so."

Among the residents participating was pediatric resident Dr. John Sushynski (DDS 2008) who said he enjoyed being both a practitioner and a teacher. "I love teaching, and this is a great opportunity for me to be a teacher and to pass along to the students some of the things I learned when I was working for my dental degree," he said. "There's satisfaction of not just helping the children as a clinician, but also teaching the dental students and advising them when they have questions."

Fourth-year dental student Phil Estes cleans the teeth of a 10-year-old during the Give Kids a Smile program at the School of Dentistry. Jerry Mastey photo

For some youngsters, it was the first time they had seen a dentist. As he sat on the dental chair, one 8-year-old boy told Sushynski he was scared. When Sushynski asked him why, the boy replied, "I don't want you to pull my teeth." Offering reassurance, Sushynski said, "I won't be pulling any teeth. And there won't be any surprises today, I promise."

Parents lauded the oral health care efforts provided by the predoctoral and dental hygiene students, residents, and other volunteers. Several parents said they brought a child to the program because they lost their dental insurance after losing their jobs.

"It's great being a part of this program and knowing that what we did will make a difference in the lives of these children," said second-year dental student Meggan Krause who organized this year's program at the School of Dentistry. "I hope to continue to enhance GKAS at the School and involve more providers, treat more children, and bring more awareness to the treatment needs of children who currently have limited or no access to dental care."

See more photos from the event.

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation's leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care, and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the School to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia, and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit us on the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.

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