My Dentist, My Friend is a 12-month collaborative
school-based dental program with Head Start. It is designed
to observe Head Start preschooler's (age 3-5) interactions with
fourth year dental students and to gauge their comfort levels
at their first dental visit. We hope to desensitize children's
fear of dental visits and to prepare our dental students with
young patient interaction, build their confidence, and presentation
skills.
In addition, dentistry as a career will be promoted
(including hygiene and dental assisting) to children who may
not have thought about a dental career, which will have an impact
at this early age.
Finally, we hope this program will increase proper
hygiene instruction, decrease caries (cavities) and increase
the children's dental IQ.
