[View ALL News Press Releases] Four Elizabethtown Community and Technical College dental hygiene students were among the forty volunteers who worked at "Dentistry From The Heart," a recent "free day of dentistry" event at Mortenson Family Dental in Elizabethtown.

The students, Molly Beavin of Brandenburg, Jill Morgeson of Lebanon, Terri Barbiaux of Clarkson, and Sallie Mayer of Cox's Creek, each spent four hours at the clinic on February 28, helping to treat patients who lacked dental insurance. The students, under the supervision of licensed dentists, assisted with radiography, cleanings, extractions, fillings and other basic dental services. All of the first-year dental hygiene students were grateful for the opportunity to practice skills they've been learning in the classroom and at the ECTC clinic, and gratified to be able to help people who otherwise would not receive dental care.

Jill Morgeson said, "The experience really touched me. Time went by quickly because we were very busy. People were lined up at the door at midnight in order to get treatment. There is an incredible need for this type of service."

"It was fun, and a great learning experience for us," said Sallie Mayer. "I wish we could do this more often to help more people."

Dr. Mortensen was impressed with the quality of work performed by the dental hygiene students. "They were a great asset to this program," he noted. "They jumped right in to help and were wonderful to work with. The patients and staff really appreciated their time and talent. We couldn't have treated 145 patients without them. The volunteer services performed that day were worth about $34,200."

"We performed or assisted with more than 230 procedures," said Molly Beavin, "including x-rays, cleanings, fillings and extractions. I've never done anything like this before, but I'd love to do it again."

Terri Barbiaux, who was laid-off from a manufacturing job she had held for two years, is learning a new career as a dental hygienist. "I liked working in the factory, but I never thought I'd have the opportunity to do something like this, at this point in my life," she said. "I saw a mother in tears beg her child to cooperate with the dentist because she couldn't afford to pay for dental treatment. It was so gratifying to be part of really helping people in need."

Lois Chandler-Cousins, ECTC Dental Assisting/Dental Hygiene Site Coordinator, commented on the need for dental care. "Lack of access to oral health care is a critical issue in the United States, due to disparities in the health care delivery system. There are a number of factors that inhibit access to care; the most obvious is the lack of ability to pay for care," she said. "Dental hygienists play a vital role in the solution to eliminate these disparities and assure quality oral health care for all. In Elizabethtown, we are very fortunate to have a dental hygiene program at ECTC offering preventive services to the public at reduced rates. The primary function of ECTC Dental Hygiene Clinic is to teach students dental hygiene procedures to clinical competency. These procedures are supervised and evaluated by the dental hygiene faculty before, during and after the treatment. If you are interested in a dental cleaning, please contact us at 270-706-8568.