From the #deltadentalARFoundation: So you brush and floss and rinse with mouth wash daily—is that enough to keep your teeth and gums healthy? 

A dental professional will tell you no. And then introduce you to a dental hygienist. 

Dental hygienists provide “periodontal therapy and treatment,” i.e., procedures designed to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Dental hygienists conduct professional cleanings to remove plaque and tartar, apply sealants and fluoride, take x-rays and educate the patients on proper oral hygiene. (They are not licensed to do restorative work like fillings and crowns—those are a dentist’s job.) 

Many of them probably received their training at UAMS’ Department of Oral Hygiene, UAMS College of Health Professions, which opened as the state’s first school of its type back in 1967. Twice a week, the department also operates a Dental Hygiene Clinic to deliver select dental hygiene services to the community while providing clinical experience for its students.  

Active community involvement matters. As part of an ongoing area revitalization effort in Little Rock, the clinic collaborates with the nearby 12th Street Health and Wellness Center to meet the dental needs of underserved, uninsured residents. Dental hygiene students screen patients for periodontal risk factors twice a week and refer them to the UAMS dental clinic for further examination and non-surgical therapy if needed. 

Thanks to donations and grants, including a 2021 #communitygrant from the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation, these services are provided to the patients at no charge.

But that’s not all.

During National Dental Hygiene Month in October, the clinic hosted its annual “Fall for Smiles.” On Oct. 23, 47 children ages 3-17, and one friendly T-rex, received free dental cleanings, dental examinations, x-rays and fluoride treatments at the clinic’s central location in mid-town Little Rock. https://bit.ly/3kT2u3n 

We love endeavors like these! They empower Arkansans with the knowledge and access to dental care that prevent severe oral issues before they require costly and painful interventions later on. Is your organization creating systemic change? Let us partner with you.

Check out our funding opportunities here.

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