University of Southern Indiana Dental Hygiene Seniors Helped Perform Over 100 Childhood Dental Assessments

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on December 9, 2025

Senior dental hygiene students with the University of Southern Indiana Dental Hygiene Program participated in a community outreach event in partnership with CAPE Head Start, serving children between the ages of one to five years old.

During the event, students performed a variety of important support roles under the supervision of licensed dentists. Over the course of the day, a total of 103 children received dental assessments from the participating dentists and students.

The purpose of the project was to promote early childhood oral health care and provide students with real-world experience working alongside dental professionals in a community-based setting.

Examinations revealed that 23 of the children had active dental decay, emphasizing the importance of continued oral health education and preventive care in early childhood. Families of children with active decay were referred to for follow-up treatment and given educational resources to help reduce future risk by CAPE.

This partnership between the University of Southern Indiana’s Dental Hygiene Program and CAPE Head Start reflects a shared commitment to supporting children’s health and preparing future oral health professionals. By engaging directly with the community, students gained confidence, refined their skills and witnessed firsthand how early prevention can make a lifelong impact.

The continued success of this collaboration demonstrates how education and service can come together to create healthier, brighter smiles for the next generation.

Courtesy of Kaitlyn Sturgell, M.H.A., RDH, CDA, Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene/Dental Assisting, University of Southern Indiana


Published on December 10, 2025