Senior Dental Hygiene students are ready to flex their ‘purple power’ on campus and beyond for National Dental Hygiene Week.
More than 50 senior Dental Hygiene students will continue the NC tradition of celebrating National Dental Hygiene Week (NDHW) April 7-11 with a social media campaign and an event at the Welland Campus on April 10. They will cap off the week by hosting a benefit in support of vulnerable residents in the community on April 11.
They will be wearing pride for their chosen profession on their sleeves – literally, with hoodies and t-shirts they designed for the occasion, emblematic of dental hygiene and the national campaign.
Bringing fun and games to the AHI
The spirit of NDHW will bridge education and fun at the Applied Health Institute on the morning of April 10 (9:30-11:30 a.m.). Students will be on hand with informative presentations and displays, interactive games, free samples, a photo booth and more to engage with the College community.
Students will present their info about the importance of x-rays, fluoride, at-home care, and teeth whitening, as well as on topics including cavities, gingivitis and periodontitis, oral piercings and more.
Senior DH student Amna Ahmed noted that students are working in groups to prepare games and activities related to their topics.
“I’m especially excited about the photo booth, where people can take pictures, capture memories, and celebrate the profession together,” said Ahmed. “I am really looking forward to seeing all of my classmates’ activities come to life and making the most out of our last few months together in the program.”
Zarish Mumtaz is part of a group is focusing on the ‘Process of Decay” to educate students on how cavities form, along with a customized game of Jenga to test their knowledge and earn prizes.
“I am really looking forward to our event in the Allied Health foyer, seeing my peers’ presentations and seeing the community come together and interact with us and hopefully learn something of interest,” said Mumtaz. “Engaging and educating the community is a big part of the role we play as Dental Hygienists.”
“I’m looking forward to the foyer event and hoping for lots of student engagement in the games,” said Olivia Herod, who will be presenting on the topic of x-rays. “I’m very excited for Dental Hygiene Week and to be involved in all the activities.”
College students and employees are welcome to attend.
Striking for Smiles
Dental students are capping of NDHW with an evening of strikes, fun and giving back.
Senior DH students are hosting a bowling benefit, Striking for Smiles, on Friday, April 11 (6:30 p.m.) in support of The Hope Centre in Welland, which offers services for local residents facing challenges related to poverty.
Herod and Ahmed have taken the lead in organizing this year’s event and have invited students and faculty from NC’s Dental programs and guests to participate in NDHW while giving back to the community.
They will be collecting donations of oral health supplies – mouth rinses, toothpaste, floss – as well as monetary donations in support of The Hope Centre. In addition to featuring a collection box for donations at the event, the box will be available throughout the week in the NC Dental Clinic.
“This event isn’t just about having fun, it’s also about helping those in need and promoting oral health in our community. Supporting the Hope Centre is important because everyone deserves access to basic oral care, and we want to do our part in making that happen,” said Ahmed. “Plus, we wanted to keep this tradition alive from past years and continue making a positive impact. At the end of the day, we’re hoping to make everyone smile, both at the event and in our community.”
Mumtaz is among students looking forward to participating to support The Hope Centre.
“I love giving back to the community especially in this case with oral hygiene products as oral health care can be overlooked within this demographic,” said Mumtaz.
Thibault noted how NC’s DH students are passionate about the program and the profession.
“Being active in the community is instilled early on since they are taught advocacy for the profession and community involvement and initiatives beginning in Term 1 and continue into Term 6,” she said. “The NC Dental Hygiene students are proud to a part of the Niagara College community and love promoting the profession and the program.”
Cutting their teeth on oral health promotion
Professor Michelle Thibault noted that NDHW offers students who are nearing the end of the program opportunities to share the knowledge and expertise they have gained throughout their learning journey.
“Dental Hygienists play an important role in the prevention and maintenance of oral health with the provision of therapeutic care, education, and promotion. Our Dental Hygiene students are fortunate to gain experience and practice these skills in community care clinics throughout the program in the Niagara College Dental Clinic,” said Thibault. “This event provides an opportunity for students to promote oral health and the profession to the community with a public in-person event and with the CDHA social media campaign.”
Participating in NDHW is aligned with the students’ Business Practice and Entrepreneurship course. Thibault noted that getting involved with NDHW supports the development of several skills, including leadership, organization, communication, marketing and networking, as well as business promotion– as students maintain regulatory body standards through their work. It also creates networking opportunities for those involved.
Herod has been interested in oral health from an early age. Her high-school co-op experience led to a new appreciation for oral health care, and she enrolled at NC – drawn by the College’s strong sense of community and the accelerated 24-month Dental Hygiene program.
“I’m passionate about preventive care and educating others on the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene. I like how dental hygiene offers an opportunity to take on an autonomous role in patient care–one where I can actively promote oral health, prevent disease, and make a meaningful difference in an individual’s life,” said Herod.
“Community involvement is an essential aspect of being a dental hygienist, and I believe this event is a great opportunity to engage with different communities–both within Niagara College and the broader dental hygiene community.”
Ahmed arrived at NC with a passion for helping people and to make a real difference in someone’s oral health. She first enrolled in Dental Assisting which opened her eyes to the impact she could have in the dental field, and returned for Dental Hygiene to take her skills even further.
“Coming back for Dental Hygiene was definitely the right choice; it’s deepened my understanding of client care and strengthened my passion for education and preventive care,” said Ahmed. “I’m excited to continue learning, growing, and making a difference in the lives of my future clients.”
For Mumtaz, it’s about getting involved in the community and making a difference. She began in NC’s Dental Assisting program, which helped deepen her interest within the dental field, before enrolling in Dental Hygiene.
“It was the right choice as I am seeing firsthand that through education and providing care to my clients, I am able to make a positive difference in their oral health and smiles,” said Mumtaz. “Although it is bittersweet as our journey within the program is nearing the end, I look forward to continue learning and growing within this career while making a difference.”
Click, post, share!
DH students will be promoting NDHW through a social media campaign. They will be posting to Instagram to share their knowledge and awareness with the public. Follow them @ncdhweek25.
Their efforts will be part of a nation-wide initiative to promote NDHW. The official hashtag for the week is #NDHW25, and CDHA hashtags include #DHpurplepride, #iamadentalhygienist, #voice4oralhealth, #ihavepurpleplans, #oralhealth4totalhealth and#dentalhygienesuperhero.
Lighting up Niagara landmarks
The spirit of NDHW will be illuminated throughout Niagara and across Canada.
Thibault has confirmed that several landmarks will be lit purple to celebrate and promote NDHW as part of a national initiative, including Niagara Falls (Friday, April 4), Welland’s Main Street Bridge 13 (Saturday, April 5) and the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie (Thursday, April 10)
In addition to 126 landmarks across Canada being lit purple this year, Dental Hygienists across Canada have organized 103 municipal landmark lightings.
As faculty from the BUSN 1502 course in the DH program, Thibault has taken the lead to request municipal landmark lightings as well this year. Once the lighting schedule is confirmed, a class outing will be organized to capture students at the landmarks, which will be submitted to the CDHA.
Celebrating NDHW
Sponsored by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, NDHW is celebrated annually in April (Oral Health Month), focusing on the importance of maintaining good oral health practices and helping Canadians understand the role and importance of the profession. This year’s theme is ‘Oral Health for Total Health.’
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