Kids from CLC Children's Learning Center receive free services at CLC Dental Hygiene Clinic

Children from the College of Lake County Children's Learning Center at the Lakeshore Campus are smiling more brightly with improved dental care, thanks to a new partnership between the center and the dental hygiene program, also located at Lakeshore.

On Oct. 14, seven children visited the dental hygiene lab at 111 N. Genesee St. in Waukegan. There, dental hygiene students provided free cleanings, radiographs, fluoride treatments and sealants. A dentist overseeing the work signed the state dental forms required for the children's files.

All children ages 4 and above who are enrolled in the Lakeshore Children's Learning Center are eligible to receive the free dental hygiene services, according to Sue Nierstheimer, chair of the dental hygiene program. She added that she is hopeful this partnership will include the children attending the Children's Learning Center on the Grayslake Campus in the near future.

"We would like to see each child twice per year," Nierstheimer said. "If a child needs a filling or other restorative work, they will need to see their primary care dentist. If they don't have a dentist, we have a list of dentists in the clinic receptionist office."

Nierstheimer, along with Carlotta Conley, coordinator of the Lakeshore Children's Learning Center, and Sandy Groeninger, center director, are excited about the partnership. "We look forward to continuing to provide this much-needed service as part of our initiative to promote healthy living among the children, faculty, staff and the community," Conley said.

In addition to benefiting the children, the partnership will provide valuable learning experiences for the students, Nierstheimer noted. "Our program is tasked with providing a wide range of patient experiences for our students to prepare them for their careers as dental hygienists," she said. "This experience not only helps with that effort, it also teaches the students the importance of community service. It is truly a win-win situation."

The children making the inaugural visit Oct. 14 had good oral health, and their young age made it a "perfect" time for the dental hygiene students to teach them how to take care of their teeth, Nierstheimer said.

The caring, upbeat manner of the CLC students and staff made a difference to the kids, some of whom were experiencing their first dental visit. "The children were all happy and gave us the impression they'd like to come back and see us again," Nierstheimer said. "The Children's Learning Center staff did an excellent job of preparing the children to come to the clinic. It was a fun, collaborative day for all involved."

The dental hygiene program also provides cleaning and other dental hygiene services for CLC students, faculty, staff and community members for a $15 fee. For details, including teeth-whitening services now available, visit http://www.clcillinois.edu/programs/dhy/clinic.