Dental Hygiene event focuses on improving smiles

March 20, 2026 - DENTON - As far as college learning experiences go, nothing feels quite as meaningful to Ana Flores as brightening a child's smile.

Literally.

Flores, a Texas Woman's University dental hygiene senior, was among 89 TWU students who took part in the annual Giving Kids a Smile event. The free event, sponsored by the university's Dental Hygiene Program, is a daylong activity devoted to providing free dental services to underrepresented youths from 3 to 19 in the Denton community.

"This is one of the many reasons I got into dental hygiene," Flores said, noting that as a child of immigrant parents herself, she could empathize with young patients whose parents were challenged by economic and social barriers.

"I was that child - and I remember what it was like for my parents trying to find resources for dental and medical care," she added.

So, on a recent Saturday at the dental hygiene clinic on TWU's Denton campus, Flores joined many of her college contemporaries to provide several services aimed at improving the wellness of 31 area children. The families that were served also received bags of nutritious food consisting of perishable and non-perishable items.

The children received an array of services, including cleanings, exams, X-rays, sealants and fluoride treatments. And, in the spirit of advancing the university's interprofessional education goals, the program was joined by students and faculty from speech-language pathology, nutrition and Spanish-interpretation units.

In addition to the dental services, the children underwent hearing and speech-language screenings and their parents received counseling on nutrition. Spanish students who specialize in medical translation and interpretation were on hand to facilitate communications between the providers and families.

"This exposure helps students better understand each profession's scope of practice, ultimately preparing them to become more well-rounded, collaborative healthcare providers upon graduation," said Charlene Dickinson, TWU's Dental Hygiene Program director.

Additionally, students gained valuable expertise in pediatric patient management, as they learned how to work with a wide range of patients of various ages and behaviors. They also honed skills in communication by working with patients and their parents, and they gained experience collaborating with professionals in other disciplines - skills that are critical for today's healthcare givers.

It wasn't just dental hygiene students who benefited greatly from the Giving Kids a Smile program, which wrapped up its seventh year. Students from other academic units who collaborated on the project gained experience no textbook can match.

"Over the past several weeks, they prepared carefully by reviewing specialized terminology, studying the National Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, and practicing role-playing scenarios," said Angela Mooney, an assistant professor of Spanish who helped prepare students in advance of the event.

"While classroom preparation is essential, nothing compares to the experience of supporting real families and using the skills they have just developed to help patients feel heard, understood and cared for," Mooney added.

The opportunity to help children, provide a community service and interact with professionals in other disciplines was certainly not lost on Spanish student Joselyn Servin, who was among 15 students at the event helping with interpretation services.

"Although you can learn a lot in the classroom, actually being in a healthcare setting you get to work with others to provide the best care for the patient," Servin said. "I also think hands-on experience is very valuable. It can teach you how to solve problems and how to work with different people. This can prepare you for future professional experiences."

Media Contact

Matt Flores
Assistant Vice President, PIO, University Communications
940-898-3456
[email protected]