West Georgia Technical College Dental Hygiene students were able to put their education to work cleaning children’s teeth at an event with TeamSmile and the Atlanta Falcons last month at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
 
TeamSmile is an advocacy group that partners oral health professionals with professional athletic organizations to provide dental care to underserved children in the community.
 
“Participation in events such as these teach students the true meaning of being a health care provider,” Dean of Health Sciences Naquilla Thomas said. “While dental hygiene is the foundation of dental health, encouraging the students to volunteer at these types of events is the foundation of service.”
 
In 2017, TeamSmile provided $45,599 worth of free dental care, preventative care and health education for children in the Atlanta area.
 
WGTC Dental Hygiene student Michelle Good said she thinks the program will continue to grow.
 
“I think the event was wonderful and helped get many children dental care they needed,” Good said. “TeamSmile is a great program and I am certain it will continue to do well and help more kids in years to come.”
Dental Hygiene Program Director Cheryl Mills said the event was very successful and a very valuable opportunity for the students who participated.
 
“Participation in an event such as this offers the students an opportunity to experience their future. There is no better teacher than hands-on experience,” Mills said.