Students celebrate National Oral Health Month in April
When Algonquin dental hygiene students head out to different community centres in April, the goal is to raise awareness about oral hygiene.
First year students, Shelbi O’Neil and Nicole Richard, believe this is crucial.
“People need to be more aware of dental hygiene,” said O’Neil.
“It connects to everything,” said Richard referring to how oral health can be an indicator of a person’s general well-being.
April is national oral health month, a month set aside by the oral health community to recognize the importance of good oral health.
During this month, the goal is to educate the public about good oral health contributing positively to physical, mental and social well-being.
Algonquin’s dental hygiene program is an active participant of this campaign.
“Algonquin has always promoted oral health month, in the past we have done table top demonstrations,” said part-time instructor Michelle Atkinson. “Currently, we are raising awareness out in the community by interacting directly with community partners.”
More specifically, dental hygiene students are going to places like Corner Stone women’s shelter, The Oaks, Harm Reduction Inter City Mission Site and the Catholic Community Immigration Centre.
Some faculty members will be attending the Sparkle Dental Charity Ball, a fundraising event to provide free dentistry to families and individuals in need in the Ottawa-Gatineau community.
Many third-year dental hygiene students from the college will also be at the event as volunteers.
An important part of the oral health month celebration is national dental hygienists’ week, which is celebrated annually in the second week of April.
“The week’s theme, ‘oral health for total health’ reminds all of us that taking care of our mouth, teeth and gums positively impacts on other aspects of our lives,” said Atkinson.
This event, sponsored by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, focuses on the importance of maintaining good oral health practices and helps Canadians understand the role of the dental hygiene profession.
According to the Canadian Dental Association, approximately 3,200 Canadians are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. More than a thousand die from it.