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Community Service and Student Leadership
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By Suzanne Waring
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. - Mahatma Gandhi
After Kim Woloszyn, Director of the Dental Hygiene Program, and her class participated in the dental clinic for Project Homeless Connect in Kalispell, two students, Kelli McDonald and Katie Zignego, came back determined to hold such an event in Great Falls. Their coordination of the project more than fulfilled the special learning assignment for their Community Dental Health and Education course.
 | | Dental Hygiene students, Erica Kresge and Kelsey Westlie provide dental cleaning to guests. |
Project Homeless Connect, created to provided free medical and social services to low income and the homeless, is found across the country; however, each community develops its own spin on the event in relation to that community's needs.
 | | Physical Therapy Assistant Program Director, Brad Bechard and PTA students spearheaded a drive for shoes and socks. |
After getting input, McDonald and Zignego decided that the event in Great Falls on January 26 would have a dental clinic; a hair salon; a blanket, coat, and children's books distribution center; physical therapy assessments; lunch services, and other informational services.
"It became not only a college-wide but also a community service project," said McDonald.
 | | Dental extractions were performed by local dentists with the assistance of students. Pictured above is Dental Assisting student Jaqueline Dittman and Dr. Chad Elkin. |
For example, the Rescue Mission shuttled guests from downtown. Dentists, Don Blevins, Kevin Fairhurst, Carrie Ann Elkin, Chad Elkin, Adam Huhn, and Dan Pence volunteered their time. The media promoted it under the auspices of public service. College employees asked how they could help and participated during the event.
Around one-hundred seventy-five people attended. "We were elated with that number for a first-time event," said Zignego.
"Kelli and Katie did an outstanding job. Plus they have laid the groundwork for holding Project Homeless Connect in January next year. There will be students in the next class who will mastermind it, and we think the event will grow in the number of services offered and participants who attend," said Woloszyn.
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Dr. Chad Elkin, Dr. Carrie Ann Elkin and
Dr. Kevin Fairhurst discuss patient treatment
with Dental Assisting students.
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Concentration in Dental Hygiene
Bachelor of Applied Science
A Bachelor of Applied Science degree with Thematic Concentration in Dental Hygiene is being offered by MSU-Billings online. The program is designed for individuals who are graduates of AAS degree programs in Dental Hygiene which are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. For information, contact the College of Allied Health Professions at MSU - Billings at (406) 896-5830.
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Meet Suzanne Waring . . .
 The author of this article, Dr. Suzanne Waring, is a freelance writer living in Great Falls. Suzanne retired after a long career with Great Falls College MSU as an English instructor and Director of Outreach. She continues to serve the College as a member of the Great Falls College MSU Development Board.
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Above L to R::
Katie Zignego, Tyler Brown, Brad Bechard, Kelli McDonald, Holly Schott
! ! NEWSFLASH ! !
The GFC MSU Dental Hygiene Program just received the American Dental Association Community Service Award for Project Homeless Connect.
The Dental Hygiene program will receive a
cash award of $3,000!.
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Above:
Project Homeless Connect
Event Chairs
Katie Zignego and
Kelli McDonald
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Dental Hygiene Program Website
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The Dental Hygiene Clinic is a teaching facility, providing dental hygiene services under the supervision of a licensed dentist and registered dental hygiene instructors. Clients are accepted based on student requirements to allow them a variety of educational experiences. Clients are needed for our students; therefore, we may evaluate more prospective clients than will actually be accepted for treatment.
Call (406) 771-4364 for more information.
If you are selected for treatment the following services may be provided:
* Complete medical/dental
history review
* Screening of vital signs
* Intra/Extra oral screening
exam
* Exam
* Dental x-rays
* Prophylaxis (cleaning)
* Periodontal therapy
(deep tissue cleaning)
* Fluoride application
* Pit and fissure sealants
* Local anesthesia and
nitrous oxide sedation
provided for pain
management
(if deemed necessary)
* Oral hygiene instruction and
nutritional counseling
A minimal charge is made for the various services offered.
Adult cleaning (18-54 years) (Includes exam, cleaning & X-rays)
$30.00
Adult cleaning (55+ years & college students) (Includes exam, cleaning & X-rays) $25.00
Child cleaning - fluoride, bitewings (up to 18 yrs.) (Includes exam, cleaning & X-rays)
$20.00
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Great Falls College MSU | Changing Lives - Achieving Dreams
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Great Falls College MSU is a two-year comprehensive college. Our Mission is to foster the success of our students and their communities through innovative, flexible learning opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and aspirations resulting in self-fulfillment and competitiveness in an increasingly global society.
Great Falls College MSU is committed to the provision of equal opportunity for education, employment, and participation in all College programs and activities without regard to race, color, gender, marital status, disability, age, disadvantage, religion, political affiliation and/or national origin. The college's Equal Opportunity Officers are the Executive Director of Human Resources and the Associate Dean for Student Services. Tel: 406/771-5123. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact the Director of Disability & Learning Support Services office at 406/771-4311.
Information on the Gainful Employment Programs can be found at: www.gfcmsu.edu/catalog.
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