SUNY Canton Dental Hygiene Program wins Top Honors for a Second Year

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SUNY Canton Dental Hygiene students work on examinations and cleanings at the Veteran's Administration Outpatient Facility in the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome, N.Y.

CANTON, NY (06/03/2009)(readMedia)-- The SUNY Canton Dental Hygiene program has been selected as a recipient of the American Dental Hygienists Association's prestigious Student Member Community Service Award for the second year in a row.

Students in the program were recognized for continuing a community outreach initiative that teaches youth the importance of proper oral health. This year, the future dental hygienists worked with almost 100 children from three Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency Headstart facilities in the greater Rome, N.Y. area

"Only three colleges in the United States win this prestigious award each year," said Pamela P. Quinn, Associate Professor and Curriculum Coordinator for the Associate Program. "We've now won it twice, which further demonstrates the quality of our commitment to the communities we serve."

Each child who participated in the project received an electric toothbrush, provided by a Health Preventive Dentistry grant. The SUNY Canton students demonstrated how to use the brushes to reinforce good home care habits. Some of the children also received a free examination, x-rays, a cleaning, and a fluoride treatment.

"The project is very successful on a variety of levels," Quinn said. "The children and young adults learn about the importance of healthy teeth and good daily habits. They also become more comfortable interacting with oral health care professionals. Our students, in turn, develop a deeper understanding of the dental needs of at-risk populations."

To conclude the project, the Dental Hygiene students hosted a health fair for the parents at three Headstart facilities, to help further encourage healthy oral habits.

Dental Hygiene is a rewarding and flexible career. It is a progressive profession that allows those who are balancing a family and a career the luxury of choosing either part-time or full-time employment. The average annual salary for a full-time hygienist nationwide is $56,700.

SUNY Canton partners with Mohawk Valley Community College to offer this high-need associate degree program, located at the Veteran's Administration Outpatient Facility in the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome. The College also offers a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene through SUNY Canton OnLine. The program is designed for working professionals and graduates who wish to further accelerate their careers.

SUNY Canton offers a wide variety of career-driven bachelor's, associate, and certificate programs, as well as three master's degrees in conjunction with SUNYIT, Utica. Most of SUNY Canton's new four-year programs are designed so students can take them on-campus, online, or both. SUNY Canton OnLine features more than 100 courses online each semester. The College's athletic teams belong to the NAIA's Sunrise Conference, enabling students to compete in their respective sports for four years. Construction is now underway for the College's new Convocation, Athletic, and Recreation Center.

-www.canton.edu-