Sealant Day Means Free Dental Services for Children

Bryn Mawr, PA – January 7, 2019 – The Dental Hygiene Program at Harcum College will offer free oral examinations, sealants, fluoride treatments, and health care instructions for children ages 6-12 during its annual Sealant Day, on Monday, February 18, 2019, Presidents’ Day. The event will be held at the Cohen Dental Center on Harcum’s Bryn Mawr campus.

The services are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, regardless of income, with no other qualifying information necessary. Families need only call ahead for an appointment by contacting the Cohen Dental Center at 610-526-6113. Appointments are being accepted at regular intervals throughout the day until all slots are full.

2019 marks the 15th year of the free program, during which registered dental hygienists, area dentists, and Harcum dental hygiene students provide free dental hygiene services to children who have pre-registered. Co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association, Sealant Day aims to prevent future tooth decay and cavities in children, as well as aid in overall oral health. The tips and guidance provided help children, families, and the community learn the value of oral care in their overall health and wellness.

“Our students and faculty are devoted to promoting good oral health to parents and children in the local area,” said Jean Byrnes-Ziegler, Director of the Dental Hygiene Program. “Sealant Day is an important initiative for us to not only advance the clinical experience for our students but also to provide a much needed community resource.”

An estimated 100 million Americans have no dental insurance. Nationally, the incidence of dental cavities is rising for the first time in decades. Locally, it is estimated that 40 percent of Pennsylvanians lack dental insurance. According to the American Society of Periodontology, oral health problems are linked to a variety of diseases and health conditions, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. The use of sealants can decrease oral health complications, especially for cavity prone children.

Families need only call ahead for an appointment by contacting the Cohen Dental Center at 610-526-6113.

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About Harcum College

Harcum College, one of Pennsylvania’s first independent, associate’s degree-granting colleges, was founded in Bryn Mawr, PA in 1915 and was the first college in Pennsylvania chartered by the state to grant associate degrees. Harcum offers fully accredited, career-ready majors in nursing, the allied health professions, business and social sciences on campus, online, and regionally, as well as lifelong learning programs for professional and personal development.