WVU Dental School Focus of Gazette Article - and other random thoughts . .

In today's GAZETTE – the local Charleston Newspaper- Section D has an article about the WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY.
Eric Eyre wrote the article. If you are familiar with good journalism you know the name Eric Eyre. Eyre is an award winning journalist. He has the ability to make most any story interesting, he does his research and is a gifted writer.

This 12/25 Gazette article focuses on the university's desire to have WVU Dental Students become involved in the community and involved in preventive education. This starts in the first year. In the fourth year Dental students have the opportunity for OJT - On the Job Training, or practicums, in rural health care facilities. As a second year student at WVU Dental School, I can say the opportunity to be involved in the community - the school system, nursing homes, etc - has been one of the most enjoyable parts of the curriculum. We are enhancing our 'people skills', and learning by teaching; so we are reinforcing our knowledge as we share it with the young and not so young.

West Virginia University encourages community involvement at all levels. Just as people need to teach their children about 'buying WV and USA made products', they need to teach them about proper diet and good oral hygiene. As parents, it is their responsibility to teach or provide education for their child/children about self care. If you didn't receive Dental Education as a child, break the cycle and make certain your child knows the importance of brushing and flossing. Supervise the task, and try to make it fun! By starting children out early with a good diet and proper oral hygiene, we can begin to see a decrease in the high rates of tooth decay in our state’s youth, as well as help them keep their teeth later in life.

Governor and Mrs. Manchin are focusing on 'healthy life styles'. They are a remarkable couple; always giving, and thinking about the population as a whole. I am often amazed at the energy people holding high level positions in State Government have and how they multi task. West Virginia is very fortunate to have an administration with high energy/ focus and the needs of the people as a high priority! Busy people seem to get more done - don't they! I watch the Administration and Faculty at my School - they all have very full days, yet they are involved with the community and help develop programs for prevention, education, do research, and have so many other involvements.

I find myself thinking that through proper oral health education, combined with the reduction of sugar intake, and giving up smokeless tobacco and cigarette smoking, we could become a much healthier state and be known for our beautiful smiles as well as our glass!