Penn College News

Youngsters Stave Off Decay, Burn Off Energy

Friday, March 27, 2015

The 13th annual Sealant Saturday event, held March 21 in Penn College's dental clinic, was very successful (and busy). Dental hygiene students provided free services to 56 children between the ages of 6 and 15, and placed 290 sealants. All children also received a fluoride varnish treatment. In the real world, a dental sealant costs $35 to 60 per tooth, so, if you do the math, more than $10,000 worth of free care was provided to help the fight against tooth decay! Downstairs, meanwhile, students in a Pediatric Nursing class staffed a variety of stations in the atrium of the Breuder Advanced Technology and Health Sciences Center. Sealant Saturday participants and their siblings were invited to stations with painting, Play-Doh, puzzles, chess, Twister, coloring and gymnastics, filling the ATHS atrium with music and fun. (Requirements were that the activities be age-appropriate and not involve video screens.) Youngsters also received prizes, such as Penn College water bottles and lanyards, courtesy of President Davie Jane Gilmour's office.


– Photos by Kim A. Speicher, dental hygiene instructor, and Christine B. Kavanagh, instructor of nursing programs




 Jan Stephen Winther, of Williamsport, challenges a visitor to a game of chess.

Jan Stephen Winther, of Williamsport, challenges a visitor to a game of chess.

A paint booth staffed (from left) by Taylor M. Kresovich, of Julian; Alexandra E. Wolfe, of Williamsport; and Jessica L. Walizer, of Howard ...

A paint booth staffed (from left) by Taylor M. Kresovich, of Julian; Alexandra E. Wolfe, of Williamsport; and Jessica L. Walizer, of Howard ...

... was an obvious hit with this young artist-in-residence.

... was an obvious hit with this young artist-in-residence.

Awaiting visitors to the Play-Doh station are (from left) Natalie J. Cool, of North Bend; Shari L. Copp, of Muncy Valley; Amanda N. Gaugler, of Winfield; and Morgan A. Franc, of Lake Ariel.

Awaiting visitors to the Play-Doh station are (from left) Natalie J. Cool, of North Bend; Shari L. Copp, of Muncy Valley; Amanda N. Gaugler, of Winfield; and Morgan A. Franc, of Lake Ariel.

Professionally garbed and enthusiastically on-duty, students in Penn College's Dental Hygiene program assemble for a Sealant Saturday team photo.

Professionally garbed and enthusiastically on-duty, students in Penn College's Dental Hygiene program assemble for a Sealant Saturday team photo.

Brittany N. Hall, of York, with a young patient who just had sealants placed

Brittany N. Hall, of York, with a young patient who just had sealants placed

Presenting oral health information to parents and siblings of patients are (from left) Nicolette M. Petragnani, of Toughkenamon; Morgan E. Moberg, of Huntingdon; Ashley A. Totten, of Williamsport; and Chelsea E. Miller, of Chambersburg.

Presenting oral health information to parents and siblings of patients are (from left) Nicolette M. Petragnani, of Toughkenamon; Morgan E. Moberg, of Huntingdon; Ashley A. Totten, of Williamsport; and Chelsea E. Miller, of Chambersburg.

Placing sealants are Morgan A. Atherton (left), of Newburg, and Barbie A. Hanson, of Phoenixville ...

Placing sealants are Morgan A. Atherton (left), of Newburg, and Barbie A. Hanson, of Phoenixville ...

... and Emilie L. Reed (left), of Coopersburg, and Sarah Boyer, of Great Mills, Md.

... and Emilie L. Reed (left), of Coopersburg, and Sarah Boyer, of Great Mills, Md.

Four-year nursing students take a break from their varied assignments for a photo op.

Four-year nursing students take a break from their varied assignments for a photo op.

Loosening up with Twister

Loosening up with Twister