June 27, 2012
‘Give Adults a Smile Day’ set for July 13
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Area adults will have the opportunity next month to receive free dental services at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The second "Give Adults a Smile Day" is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 13, at the SIU Carbondale Dental Hygiene Clinic, which is west of the SIU Arena. Registered dental hygienists and dental hygiene students from SIU Carbondale and John A. Logan College, along with area dentists, will offer free dental services. The SIU Carbondale Dental Hygiene Program and the Southern Illinois Dental Hygienists' Society are event sponsors.
Participating adults will receive dental examinations, x-rays, cleanings, and fluoride treatments. The program is for adults who are 20 or older who are either covered by Medicaid or are uninsured.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to cover the event at the SIU Carbondale Dental Hygiene Clinic. For more information, contact Jennifer S. Sherry, assistant professor and "Give Adults a Smile Day" coordinator, at 618/985-4933 or by email at clnteth@siu.edu.
The deadline to make appointments is July 6. To make an appointment, call the center at 618/453-8826 and specify the visit is for "Give Adults a Smile Day." If you reach a recording, leave a name and phone number for a return call.
Jennifer S. Sherry, an assistant professor in the SIU Carbondale Dental Hygiene Program, said 10 registered dental hygienists, 15 dental hygiene students, and four dentists will participate. She anticipates a larger turnout than last year when 51 patients received treatment.
"It felt really good to help the people of Southern Illinois receive preventative oral health care," said Sherry, who is also president of the Southern Illinois Dental Hygienists' Society.
"The patients were truly appreciative of the services they received. Medicaid has been severely cut and if this event will help, we are all for the effort to do what is right for these patients, as well as help patients who do not have dental coverage."
The SIU Carbondale Dental Hygiene Program is in the School of Allied Health, which is within the College of Applied Sciences and Arts.