National Children's Dental Health Month

Give Kids a Smile Goes Virtual

As access to affordable dental care for children continues to be a need that is insufficiently met, the Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) program offers underserved children the opportunity to receive much needed dental services. On January 28, 2022, LSUSD students Nadia Khan (D3), Hanna Brashier (D3), and Alecia Gutierrez (DH1) hosted the first-grade class of Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy for their Give Kids a Smile program. In an effort to safeguard the health and well-being of GKAS participants and volunteers, the event was held virtually via Google Meets. Although the elementary students were unable to visit the LSU campus for dental exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants as originally planned, the dental students were determined to host the program.

The presentation highlighted the proper methods/techniques of oral hygiene and the negative consequences of untreated dental disease. The children engaged with the presenters as they modeled oral hygiene instruction and nutritional health using puppets. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session in which the elementary students were able to demonstrate what they learned and ask more about what they were interested to know. The dental students then dropped off hygiene “goody” bags to the elementary students consisting of a Colgate Children’s toothbrush, Colgate Children’s toothpaste, oral health education cards, and Colgate floss in a plastic bag with the GKAS logo. 

This year, in addition to the traditional “goody” bags, the students received Star Wars themed Oral-B Electric Rechargeable toothbrush kits. This entire event would not have been made possible without the dedication of pediatric dentistry alumnae Drs. Linda Cao and Nicole Boxberger, as well as Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, the head of Pediatric Dentistry at LSUSD. The generosity of NODA and all corporate sponsors was also appreciated. LSUSD is grateful for the opportunity to improve the health of our community through education and prevention. 

 Alecia Gutierrez (DH1), Hanna Brashier (D3), Nadia Khan (D3)

Click HERE to register for the alumni reception.