A class of Dental Hygiene students are preparing final projects and brushing up on their presentation skills in advance of a guest visitor to class.
On Aug 14, St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens will visit a NC Health Advocacy class to hear proposals that Dental Hygiene students have working on all term for their final project.
Dental Hygiene Professor Leeza Dougherty noted that students chose an advocacy topic during their first week of the course. For seven weeks, they researched and formulated tjeir proposal to makeneeded change, related to their topics , before they will present their findings in class.
“Having the opportunity to present and debate with Jennie will give the students a real-life experiential learning experience,” said Dougherty. “Many students have not had the opportunity to have a real debate or speak with a politician.”
This also gives Stevens an opportunity to learn more about the oral health needs of her constituents, noted Dougherty.
She may take away some topics and bring them to a right people to initiate change.”
Topics include universal dental care; dental care for low income populations, those who live with addictions, the elderly and in long-term care; oral health programs for Indigenous populations; advocating oral health care programs for high-risk individuals and more.
Politicians have been invited to the class during previous years as well. It is a course requirement for students to debate their researched topic, noted Dougherty.
“Usually they debate amongst their peers. Bringing a politician in makes things more realistic,” said Dougherty. “They also are very passionate about their oral health topics and if they are placed into the right hands, change could actually happen.”
