Harcum to Offer Free Dental Services to Children

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The Dental Hygiene Program at Harcum College will offer free oral examinations, sealants, fluoride treatments, and health care instructions for children ages 6-16 at its annual Sealant Day, on Monday, Jan. 19. The event coincides with the Martin Luther King Day of Service and will be held at the Cohen Dental Center on Harcum’s Bryn Mawr campus and is also one of the College’s 100 Acts of Service slated for 2015, in conjunction with their 100th anniversary.

2015 marks the eleventh year of the free program, in which registered dental hygienists, area dentists, and Harcum dental hygiene students provide free dental hygiene services to children who have pre-registered. Co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association, Sealant Day aims to prevent future tooth decay and cavities in children, as well as aid in overall oral health. The tips and guidance provided help children, families, and the community learn the value of oral care in their overall health and wellness.

“Our students and faculty are committed to promoting good oral health to parents and children in the local area,” said Jean Byrnes-Ziegler, director of the Dental Hygiene Program at Harcum. “Sealant Monday is an important initiative for us to not only advance the clinical experience for our students but also to provide a much needed community resource.”

An estimated 100 million Americans have no dental insurance. Nationally, the incidence of dental cavities is rising for the first time in decades. Locally, it is estimated that 40 percent of Pennsylvanians lack dental insurance. According to the American Society of Periodontology, oral health problems are linked to a variety of diseases and health conditions, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. The use of sealants can decrease oral health complications, especially for cavity prone children.

Families must call ahead for an appointment by contacting the Cohen Dental Center at 610-526-6113 or 610-526-6015. Appointments are being accepted for 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. until all slots are full. The College will be open on Jan. 19 with a normal schedule.

About Harcum College

Harcum College, one of Pennsylvania’s first independent, two-year colleges, was founded in Bryn Mawr, PA in 1915 and was the first college in Pennsylvania chartered by the state to grant associate degrees. Harcum offers fully accredited, career-ready majors in nursing, the allied health professions, business and social sciences on campus, online, and regionally, as well as lifelong learning programs and corporate training. In 2015 Harcum celebrates a year-long Centennial observance.

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