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PORTLAND, Maine

'Bangor Daily News' publishes op-ed by 51小黄车dental hygiene student

L-R: Regina Arey, Cassidy Banville and Sarah Fogg
L-R: Regina Arey, Cassidy Banville and Sarah Fogg

Dental hygiene student Regina Arey (鈥17) has authored an op-ed for the Bangor Daily News about her IPEC Mini-grant project.

After observing the dental care provided to one of her relatives in a nursing home, Arey was inspired to develop a student-led project to address oral healthcare issues in the aging population. For their IPEC Mini-grant, Arey and student collaborators Cassidy Banville (Dental Hygiene, 鈥17)颅颅, Carolyn Dacey (Dental Hygiene, 鈥17), Sarah Fogg (Dental Hygiene, 鈥17), Casey Fisher (COP, 鈥19) and Heather Smith (MSOT, 鈥17) have been conducting training sessions at nursing homes and heathcare facilities around southern Maine. 

In preliminary trainings, the students first spoke with staff and residents to assess their questions and concerns regarding oral care. They then created an educational presentation tailored to these questions, addressing the need for daily brushing, flossing and cleaning of partials or dentures. In addition, they discussed oral bone degeneration, as well as medications that can cause dry mouth and other oral health problems. Dental models were utilized to demonstrate proper flossing and flossing technique, as well as denture cleaning.

Speaking about the project, Arey stated 鈥淚 truly believe this interprofessional project will not only benefit the students and staff involved but also the community as a whole.鈥

At St. Andre Health Care Facility in Biddeford, ME, Infection Control Practitioner Sue Gagnier noted that the presentation was a helpful tool for staff, as well as a great way to raise awareness for the importance of oral health. Staff at Gorham House in Gorham also gave positive feedback, inviting Arey and her colleagues for a second training this winter.

Read the Journal Tribune article.

 

To learn more about the University of 51小黄车's Interprofessional Education Collaborative, visit www.une.edu/wchp/ipec

To learn more about the Department of Dental Hygiene, visit www.une.edu/wchp/dental

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions

Casey Fisher discusses how medications impact oral health
Casey Fisher discusses how medications impact oral health
Carolyn Dacey demonstrates the proper brushing technique
Carolyn Dacey demonstrates the proper brushing technique
Cassidy Banville discusses denture cleaning
Cassidy Banville discusses denture cleaning

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The University of 51小黄车 is Maine鈥檚 largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state鈥檚 top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine鈥檚 only medical college, Maine鈥檚 only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.