February 7, 2017 Melissa Lamar

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Tunxis dental assisting students met with 15 children from the Tunxis Early Childhood Center on Jan. 25 in the college’s dental lab as part of an oral health education course project.

Dental assisting students paired up with small groups of children for fun, games and education on good oral hygiene and healthy diet. The students shared posters, videos and other hands-on activities they had prepared to engage the preschoolers.

Tunxis dental assisting students Courtney Cloutier (left) and Mary Kate Martin (right) show Tunxis Early Childhood Center preschooler Noah Edwards the right way to brush on a giant tooth brushing anatomy model during the learning activity.

“For some of the children it was their first dental experience,” said Erin Annecharico, Tunxis Dental Assisting program coordinator. “The dental assisting students were great at engaging the children and helping them feel comfortable taking part in the activities.”

The children received goodie bags after the activity, filled with toothpaste, toothbrushes, sunglasses, games, stickers, pencils and small toys that the dental students purchased with their own money.

The Dental Assisting program at Tunxis is a 10-month accredited certificate that provides the skills and knowledge necessary to function effectively as an integral member of a dental health team. The Dental Assisting application deadline is April 15.Those who are interested are welcome to attend dental assisting information sessions on March 9 & 27. To sign up, visit tunxis.edu/dainfo.