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Show www.thespectrum.com — The Spectrum For the love of literacy Christopher Onstott / The Spectrum Dixie State College cheerleader Amanda Johnson describes "Frog and Toad," her favorite book from the third grade, to Mr. Reep's third grade class at Heritage Elementary School on Tuesday. Christopher Onstott / The Spectrum Collin, a Heritage Elementary School third grader, listens raptly as Dixie State College cheerleader Amanda Johnson reads "Frog and Toad" to Mr. Reep's class Tuesday. Christopher Onstott / The Spectrum Dixie State College basketball player Shannon Harmer reads a book to Heritage Elementary School students. ST. GEORGE NEIGHBORHOODS DENTISTRY e Continued from pg. 18 hygiene program acquired a mobile clinic that had been a dream of hers and Gordon Jennings, the previous director of the program who passed away the same year the mobile clinic started. Since the mobile clinic started, Aplanalp said about 200 school children each year are served and their treatment paid by grant money received. The mobile clinic, equipped with a wheelchair lift and outfitted with four work areas, also goes to rehabilitation centers and nursing homes. In addition, the students involved in the dental hygiene program operate clinics twice a week providing dental services at a fraction of the cost of a regular dental visit. Since the college started the dental program 10 years, the program has expanded and_ recently moved into a new facility said Aplanalp. The dental program has the latest equipment including a digital panoramic x-ray machine which Aplanalp said is so new, that only about 50 percent of the dentists locally have one. The mobile clinic is also equipped with a digital panoramic x-ray machine. Since the program moved to its new location with additional chairs, more students can be accepted each year Aplanalp said the dental hygiene students spend the first year and a half taking prerequisite science cours- es and once completed, apply for the program. This fall, the college also started a bachelor’s degree program which requires one more year of school and is done completely online. With a shortage of hygienists in most areas of the country, Aplanalp said it makes a good career for those who want to be hygienists and the job provides good pay and flexible hours. ee Because overall health is From 2002 until June of impacted and starts with this year, the program was dental health, both Neilrun on campus with 14 son and Aplanalp strongly chairs. Before that, from advise early dental care 1998 until 2002, Aplanalp for children that includes said the clinic was run out fluoride, learning how to of local dentist offices. brush and floss properly Now, the dental hygiene and trips to the dentist. program is located behind “Tooth decay is a huge the Dixie Regional Medical issue and leads to abbesses Center River Road Campus if left untreated and is exand has expended to in- tremely painful” Aplanalp clude 24 chairs and a bachsaid. Neilson said that elor’s degree program. teeth sealants also help Conover said she goes by providing a barrier and into the school’s hygiene help protect the teeth from clinic for regular checkdecay caused by bacteria. ups which includes x-rays, Applied to the pre-mocleanings and evaluation lars, the coating helps proand although it takes a lit- tect the groves in the back tle more time because stumolars and helps reduce dents are performing the decay on the back teeth. work, said it is worth it. Neilson said the sealant “The students strive: to doesn't prevent decay but be the best they can be, helps along with good denConover said. “It (a cleantal practices. Children also should be ing) may take a little longer - seen on a regular basis by but they do a good job’ For the week of October 17, 2008 a dentist, even when they are young and have only a few teeth. Neilson said it is very important to bring children in for a checkup if there is any discoloration of the teeth. Older adults may have problems with periodontal disease and Neilson cautions that medications may also impact dental health. A dry mouth leads to higher bacterial counts which leads to decay, Neilson said who volunteers at the Doctor's Free Clinic providing free dental care for qualifying patients. For those without insurance, the college dental program provides many services at greatly reduced rates and Neilson said the $1100 2/2 $795 3/25 $895 $1500 $1800 $975 1100 1265 1260 $1900 4/2.5 2900 $1000 3/2 $825 $1950 2/2 1068 3600 — 19 community has an opportunity for dental care with that program. Neilson also feels at state run program is also needed to make sure children get the proper dental care since it impacts the whole body. ; Aplanalp said dental care is very much linked to overall general health and a poor, unhealthy mouth leads to poor overall health. Conover said going to the school may not be for everyone since it does involve extra time but she said she always has a positive experience there and knows the importance of dental health. “My teeth are really important to me, she said. |