Harriman, Tennessee (WATE) — A dental hygienist student at Roane State University spent her last semester helping people in her community.
According to the community college, students have used their skills to provide two free dental clinics and participate in 5K runs/walks for Parkinson’s. The student’s participation was a tribute to Linda Evans Her Pollard, the mother of Dental Hygiene Program Director Melinda Gill, who has Parkinson’s disease. 28 students, family and friends attended the October event.
“I was truly touched by the kindness and love they showed to my mother and to this truly worthy cause,” Gil said.
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Pictured are Roan State University freshman and sophomore dental hygiene students and dentist Jay Ho, who attended the second free dental clinic at Oakridge Community College’s Coffey/McNally Building. It depicts Dr. Ringsworth and five of the program’s graduates. as a mentor. Mentors wear black scrubs. (Photo via Roan Province) -
Shown is a first-year dental hygienist student who participated in the 5K Run/Walk for Parkinson’s disease. Front row, from left: Kristen Doume, Linda Lang, Jessica Blalock. Second row: Katie Wells, Monica Maganoy, Samantha Ezell. (Photo via Roan Province)
At a free clinic in October, students provided care to 12 patients from six counties, including Dade County, Georgia. Other patients came from Anderson, Blount, Cumberland, Knox and Roane counties, according to Roane State. The students underwent a service that included a cleaning, eight exams, 16 tooth extractions, and 13 dental x-rays.
Dr. Jay Hollingsworth, along with hygienists Brittany Roybal, Cristina Graham, Janna Gentry, Crystal Greene and Mindy Willocks, contributed his time and skills to support the program.
The next free clinic will take place on February 19, 2023, and additional details will be announced closer to the event, Gill said. For more information on Roane State’s dental health program, including clinic overviews, visit roanestate.edu/dentalhygiene.
