Oral Health and Nutrition Education for First-Grade Students
In March 2025, my group and I presented an engaging oral health education session to a class of first-grade students at a public school in Brooklyn. The program, titled “Educating Children on Their Oral Health and Nutrition,” focused on teaching children the importance of brushing properly, making healthy food choices, and visiting the dentist regularly.
We used interactive tools including a PowerPoint presentation, a brushing demonstration with a typodont, a toothbrushing song, a coloring activity, and a fun oral health quiz. These age-appropriate methods helped students actively participate and understand how to care for their teeth both at school and at home.
This experience highlighted the value of community outreach and the role of the dental hygienist as both a clinician and educator. It showed how early oral health education—especially in underserved or childhood populations—can promote lifelong healthy habits and make a lasting impact.
Screening and Varnish application at Shore Parkway Head Start
In May 2025, we had the opportunity to visit Shore Parkway Head Start to provide oral hygiene education and perform screenings and fluoride varnish applications for the children. The visit began with a fun and engaging dental education session where we showed videos on toothbrushing techniques, healthy eating habits, cavity prevention, and the role of fluoride varnish in keeping teeth strong.
The children were excited and actively participated in a round of Q&A, demonstrating curiosity and enthusiasm about what they had learned. Afterward, we performed limited oral screenings and applied fluoride varnish. To reinforce the lesson, we handed out goody bags filled with dental supplies like toothbrushes and toothpaste.
This experience reinforced the importance of early prevention, community outreach, and making oral health education accessible and enjoyable for children.
Give Kids A Smile in Collaboration with Colgate at NYCCT Dental Care Clinic
Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) was a fun and educational community outreach event hosted at the Dental Care Clinic at New York City College of Technology. In collaboration with Colgate, children from participating schools were transported to the clinic to receive free dental exams, preventive treatments such as sealants and fluoride varnish (with parental consent), and limited scaling as needed. They also benefited from vision and hearing screenings and nutritional guidance provided by other programs within the school.
This experience reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, preventive care, and early oral health education. I was proud to contribute to a meaningful event that not only provided care to underserved children, but also helped me further develop my skills in patient communication, teamwork, and pediatric care. Seeing the children engaged, smiling, and learning reminded me of why I chose this profession.