LSU Health School of Dentistry invited pre-K to fourth grade students from Esperanza Academy to participate in Give Kids a Smile Day.
Faculty, students, and residents from the dental and dental hygiene programs teamed up to create a special day for the nearby school. Students dressed as dental characters welcomed the students off of their buses, as dentists and hygienists prepared for education, screenings, and sealants.
“Today is our kickoff of Children's National Oral Health Month with the program Give Kids a Smile, where we have invited Esperanza Academy, a nearby elementary school, to participate in activities that promote oral health,” said Sterling Roberts, DDS, local pediatric dentist and faculty member. “We’re teaching children appropriate oral hygiene habits, along with doing cursory dental examinations.”
This year’s theme, “Your Smile Is Out of This World,” gave the entire building a space-age motif complete with space suits, planets, and rockets. Students received screenings, educational programming, arts, crafts, activities, and oral hygiene instruction.