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HGTC Hosts Give Kids a Smile Day on Grand Strand Campus
Crabtree Summer Campers enjoy Give Kids a Smile Day through the Dental Hygiene Program on the Grand Strand Campus.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) students in the Dental Hygiene program recently hosted a Give Kids a Smile Day for children and adolescent patients at no charge. Patients received cleanings, dental radiographs, fluoride treatments, and oral home care instructions. HGTC Faculty, including General and Pediatric Supervising Dentists supported students in the successful event.
In addition to the complimentary services, Crabtree Summer Campers also toured the dental simulation lab as part of the weeklong camp promoting career paths. Campers ages 7-13 were able to learn more about the dental field. Program Director and Chair of Dental Sciences, Michelle Meeker, organized the events to provide practice for Summer Campers in the simulation lab and answer questions.
“Early preventive dental visits for children aim to educate the patients and caregivers, with the goal of preventing future dental disease. Our students greatly benefit from treating this patient population and we are fortunate to serve the community in our outstanding facility. As an added benefit, children and adolescents who visit our clinic and labs are also exposed to the dental sciences as a future profession,” said Meeker.
The Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene degree prepares students to provide direct patient care in the detection and prevention of oral diseases under the supervision of a dentist, as required by law. The dental hygienist's major role is an educator and includes designing dental hygiene treatment and education for patients on an individual basis. Graduates of this program will be qualified to evaluate patient medical histories, take and record blood pressure, chart conditions of periodontal disease and decay for diagnosis by the dentist, conduct oral-cancer screening examinations, educate the patient on the latest techniques of oral home care, and perform a thorough cleaning of the patients' teeth. A dental hygienist is also qualified to apply sealants and fluoride for the prevention of decay, to expose and develop radiographs, and to provide nutritional counseling for dental patients.
Students in the Dental Hygiene program receive their education in a state-of-the-art Dental Clinic on the Grand Strand Campus, under the direct supervision of licensed dentists and hygienists. Graduates are eligible to take national and state board examinations. After successful completion of these examinations, graduates will be licensed and recognized as a Registered Dental Hygienist.