Oral Health

This committee collaborates with other professional associations and public heath agencies for the promotion of oral health, and assists component societies in the development of programs on oral health/dental hygiene. This committee is chaired by Linda L. Koskela, RDH, MPH.

The information presented here is to assist dental hygienists in Georgia through provision of information, contacts and ideas for statewide promotion of oral health improvement through community service. Information provided by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association is marked with an asterisk (*). Additional information is contributed by members of GDHA and other health related organizations. To access hyperlinked topics please click on the bold, underlined titles.

Atlanta DHS Member, Pam Oreto, RDH, in a school classroom

National Children's Dental Health Month (February)

Dental Hygienist Volunteer Form

Sing and Smile - Free Resources http://singandsmile.com/pressrelease/

Kid's World Dental Resources: http://kids-world.colgatepalmolive.com/

NIH - Open Wide and Trek Inside materials

South Metro DHS Dental Health Committee Chair, Linda McDowell, RDH at a local library. Feb. 2001

National Children's Dental Health Month Poster Contest
Oral Health Resources List

In Georgia, approximately 10,000 children a year try spit tobacco. The primary purpose of GSTEP is to reduce the number of youth using these dangerous and deadly products, while at the same time offering cessation help to those who want to quit. This can be accomplished by increasing the awareness of the harmful effects of spit tobacco through increased education at state and local levels. GSTEP is partnered with many organizations such as the GDHA, GDA, ACS, and public health districts, schools of dental hygiene and amateur and professional athletic groups. GSTEP is available to act as a resource to anyone interested in presenting programs on spit tobacco or wanting to set up a tobacco cessation protocol for their office. GSTEP welcomes volunteers to work with them at health fairs, athletic events, schools, etc. Anyone interested in more information on programs or resources please call Sue Dodd at 770-497-9790 or e-mail at scdodd@mindspring.com. To learn more about spit tobacco, go to www.nstep.org.

Largest designated national day of helping others, sponsored by USA Weekend and local newspapers and in partnership with Points of Light Foundation. Visit there website where they have on their homepage an area about the coming day October 28, 2000; an area for project ideas to use in your community; links to other sites for more ideas.

This year it is April 9-15, 2000. This is sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation and other national network of volunteer centers. During this week you volunteer in your community to do some type of project or presentation that will help the citizens in your area. You either volunteer through one of the local volunteer agencies in your areas (i.e. Hands on Atlanta, for example) or you do your own one-on-one project that you create. If you contact the Points of Light Foundation through their web page they will send you a promotional kit.

A Nationwide health organization supported by legions of dedicated volunteers, professional staff, and country’s leading experts in lung disease. You can volunteer to be a part of their Speakers’ Bureau or part of their School Health programs. You might speak on Smoking Cessation or Tobacco Free using the Association’s own program and materials. The amount of time you volunteer is up to you. The Association provides the locations, the format of the presentation, an orientation training session, and all necessary materials. All they need from you is your time. Local contact number is 770-434-5864, or e-mail mail@alaga.org.

In Georgia this van is equipped with dental operatories and utilizes dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants to provide oral screenings and oral health education to children. For more information on the Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program you can contact the ADHA at 1-800-243-ADHA and receive a program packet or in Georgia contact the program coordinators Dr. Anderson Kizzie or Dr. Dwayne Turner at (770) 579-6241.

This is always in the month of May and promotes the education of the public in the problem of high blood pressure. Event and promotional kits are available.

The month of May is the celebration of Older Americans. Materials are available.

May 14-20, 2000 is the designated week. Free Planning guides are available to carry out a project in your local nursing home during this nationally recognized week.

The week of June 4-10, 2000 will be the national week according to the Hugs for Health Foundation. This annual project provides hug therapy and volunteer support services to the elderly residing in senior care and residential communities. For $5.00 you can receive a Hug Holiday Hugger’s Package to help with your activity.