Six Iowa Central Community College dental hygiene students have received mini-grants from Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation for oral health projects.
Three teams of two students each have received mini-grants totaling $7,674 for one-time dental projects, according to Renee Piper, dental hygiene coordinator. The projects emphasize work in the community.
"Students in our community dentistry course have an assignment to do a community project," she said. "They work in pairs. In order for some of their projects to become reality, they need money so they ask for Delta Dental grants."
For a project on tooth prints and DNA Holders, students Jordan Moore and Mara Boekelman received $1,710.
"Little kids bite on these wafers and parents can keep them in case of a natural disaster or a missing child case," Piper said. "DNA is embedded in that, so search dogs could sniff out their scent, and it's better than a piece of clothing, actually."
Kara O'Connor and Kaylee Johnson received $2,464 for their project "Think Pink," to be done in conjunction with Trinity Regional Medical Center oncology team.
"They're doing a project regarding the oral health of cancer patients," Piper explained.
Jaime Thomsen and Bailey Smith received $3,500 for a project titled "Marvelous Mouths for Mosaics."
"Mosaic is a home for developmentally disabled clients," Piper said. "It will improved their oral hygiene with adaptive brushes, education for the staff and caregivers, and products hopefully, as well."
The Delta Dental mini-grants are offered twice a year, in May and October, Piper said.
"You do an application for the grant, talking about the target population, how much money you want, what you're going to use it for," she said. "Delta Dental informs the students if they've received a grant. They have to follow up with budgeting and documentation of what they've done."
Twelve Iowa agencies applied for grants from Delta Dental. Iowa Central's dental hygiene school sends about seven proposals every year, Piper said, and usually receives a positive response.
"Delta Dental has been very generous," she said. "We have received grants in the past. This will maybe be our fourth year of receiving grant money, and every year it's different, depending upon the application and what Delta Dental would deem a worthy project."
Piper said the mini-grants are not only a benefit to the school and its students, but also Fort Dodge.
"This assists the school in doing community projects, and allows the students to actually implement the big projects that they want to do in the community," she said.
According to Piper, giving back to the community is important.
"It's a passion of mine to give back, and we have a lot we can do with the community," she said. "And, it improves everyone's health."
Receiving the mini-grants also speaks highly for Iowa Central's students, Piper said, while aiding in their education.
"They are very prepared and well-educated," she said. "It helps broaden their education about specific groups out there. We see only clinical patients, but this way they get to see populations, school children, elderly people, people with cancer."
Contact Brandon L. Summers at (515) 573-2141