Dental Hygiene Clinic to serve youth for Children's Dental Health Month

(February 23, 2024) - For 50 years, Clayton State University’s Dental Hygiene Clinic has been a staple of the surrounding community, providing oral aid and care to all who seek it.

[ Following the online publication of this story, Atlanta's 11Alive news team came to campus and covered the College of Health's and Dental Hygiene Clinic's efforts to aid the community's children during their week of free dental services. View the link to 11Alive's full feature story. ]

And to kick off its special semi-centennial year, the clinic is first looking to serve the area’s younger clientele.

To celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month, from Monday, February 19, to Friday, February 23, the university’s Dental Hygiene Clinic will provide its community’s kids with various dental health services completely free of charge.

“That includes their cleanings, fluoride, dental x-rays, and sealants to help prevent cavities,” said Heather Eddy, an assistant professor in the university’s dental hygiene program. “I think that week is considered a winter break for a lot of the surrounding counties, so we tried to align our week of service with when they would be out of school.”

Clinic Manager Brandi Clisham also added that a plethora of junior and senior dental hygiene Lakers will help serve the area’s children during their visits to campus.

She also expressed great gratitude for those in the community who are helping ensure that all provided services can be offered and received for no cost.

“We’re fortunate that Patterson Dental donates all of the supplements that we use so we can offer that free cost to our patients,” Clisham said.

Eddy is enthusiastic for the week to come, saying it’s a “very rewarding experience” to be able to give back and help serve the community – especially those who are underserved.

Additionally, Clisham expressed the importance in maintaining Clayton State’s reputation to local families as both a “prestigious” school for dental hygiene, as well as a place of aid for those in need of service.

“Unfortunately, a lot of kids won’t say if they’re in pain or if anything is going on,” Clisham said. “Dental insurance isn’t required, so this is nice that kids have the opportunity, all at no cost to them or their parents, to be able to have services done.”

For all in the community interested in signing their children up for free dental services, appointments can be made online or by calling the clinic directly.

More information, including service hours, can be found on the clinic’s webpage: https://www.clayton.edu/health/departments/dental-hygiene/dental-hygiene-clinic