Top

Dental Hygiene students to host free dental sealant and fluoride treatments for children

April 3, 2023

CCRI’s Class of 2023 Dental Hygiene students are hosting a free dental sealant and fluoride treatment clinic for children ages 6–17 as their semester community project at the college’s Lincoln Campus.

The event, named “Get in the Groove,” is scheduled for Wednesday, May 3 from 3–5 pm at the college’s Flanagan Campus in Lincoln, RI. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Scheduling for a treatment is by appointment only by calling 401-333-7330. Each patient’s parent or guardian must sign a HIPPA and treatment consent form. Children attending the free clinic will receive sealants on qualifying teeth.

CCRI’s Dental Hygiene program seeks to prepare students as dental hygienists who can competently and safely perform dental hygiene procedures; display the personal qualities of integrity, responsibility and reliability; function as active members of the dental care team; and are committed to professional development through life-long learning.

The name of the event, “Get in the Groove,” is based on the surface area of the back teeth – tiny grooves known as fissures – that are susceptible to tooth decay because of how hard they are to clean and how often food and bacteria gets stuck in between; grooves are often narrower than a single toothbrush bristle, making them especially difficult for children to clean.

“Dental sealants are an effective preventive measure against tooth decay, and we are excited to offer this service to those who may not have access to regular dental care,” said Ashley Soares, a CCRI dental hygiene student and Senior Class Officer for the Dental Hygiene Program.

“We collectively came up with ‘Get in the Groove’ because the most common place to have tooth decay for children is within the grooves, pits, and fissures of the molars. Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases, affecting millions of children every year. Untreated tooth decay can cause pain, infection, and can even lead to more serious health problems. Moreover, it can significantly affect a child’s quality of life, causing difficulty in eating, sleeping, and concentrating in school. The good news is that tooth decay is preventable and one of the most effective preventive measures is dental sealant.”

The treatments provided at the clinic target those specific grooves. Sealants are a thin, protective shield applied to the grooved and pitted areas of the teeth that prevent cavities and tooth decay by blocking out germs and food. Fluoride treatments also prevent tooth decay and promote remineralization, which helps repair early decay. In most fluoride treatments, a clear gel or foam is painted directly onto the teeth.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 11 have untreated cavities and more than half (52 percent) have had a cavity in their primary (baby) teeth.

“The CCRI Dental Hygiene Program provides educational opportunities that empower students to become competent dental hygienists who provide quality comprehensive care,” said CCRI Dental Hygiene Program Director Janice Schmitz, CDA, RDH, DHSc. “We prepare our graduates to meet the future oral health needs of the community and promote lifelong learning and community service. One way we do this is through our Community Day, where our senior students plan, implement, and evaluate the results of a community dental health clinic. This year’s ‘Get in the Groove’ sealant clinic will meet the objectives of our program by giving our students the opportunity to plan and implement a service learning project, as well as meeting the needs of our community by providing this important preventative treatment.”

As part of CCRI’s Dental Hygiene Program, the college runs a dental hygiene clinic, a classroom/learning environment located at the Flanagan Campus, for student dental hygienists that provides free dental services to the community between September and May.

Share this story

Latest News

Governor McKee, CCRI Announces Launch of Associate Degree in Culinary Craftsmanship

Governor McKee, CCRI Announces Launch of Associate Degree in Culinary Craftsmanship

March 07, 2025

NEWPORT, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) today announced the launch of an associate in arts degree in Culinary Craftsmanship on CCRI’s Newport Campus in fall 2025. To support this initiative, Governor McKee is proposing $850,000 to create a Culinary and Hospitality hub at CCRI’s Newport Campus. The hub will serve as a state-of-the-art learning environment designed to meet the growing demand for skilled culinary professionals in Rhode Island’s workforce.

Read More

CCRI Metallica Scholars: Forging Paths to Success in Healthcare

CCRI Metallica Scholars: Forging Paths to Success in Healthcare

March 05, 2025

For students like Esther Duran, of Providence, Wanda Wrobleski, of Cumberland, and Richard Garcia, of Providence, the journey to a fulfilling career in healthcare has been transformed thanks to the Community College of Rhode Island and the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). Funded by a $75,000 grant from the legendary rock band’s foundation, All Within My Hands, this initiative provides financial support to students enrolled in CCRI’s Medical Assistant and Patient Support Specialist workforce training programs—helping to alleviate financial burdens and empower students to focus on their education and career goals.

Read More

CCRI Women's Basketball Team Punches Ticket to National Tournament

CCRI Women's Basketball Team Punches Ticket to National Tournament

March 05, 2025

Warwick, RI- The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Women’s Basketball teamshowcased their dominance once again in the NJCAA Region XXI Conference, securing the regional title for the fourth year in a row and, punching their ticket to the National Tournament.

Read More

CCRI Players Present Stephen Sondheim's Assassins

CCRI Players Present Stephen Sondheim's Assassins

March 04, 2025

WARWICK, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Players continue their 2024–25 season with a bold and thought-provoking production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Assassins, running March 6–9 at the Bobby Hackett Theatre on CCRI's Knight Campus.

Read More

CCRI Players Celebrate 50 Years of Excellence

CCRI Players Celebrate 50 Years of Excellence

February 14, 2025

The Community College of Rhode Island's (CCRI) student-run theatre group, the CCRI Players, proudly marks half a century of participation in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region 1, held this year at Central Connecticut State University. Over the five-day event, the Players distinguished themselves by securing 10 awards across various disciplines, including acting and properties design.

Read More

Black History Month

Black History Month

February 10, 2025

February marks  Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans in this country; a time to acknowledge the lasting achievements of the people of the African diaspora who have shaped American history; and a time to walk alongside today’s Black leaders as they lead the work to create a truly anti-racist, inclusive community for all.

Read More

Fall 2024 Dean's List

Fall 2024 Dean's List

January 08, 2025

The Community College of Rhode Island announces its Fall 2024 Dean's List. Students enrolled in a degree program who have completed 12 credits with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher this semester with no grade lower than “C” are eligible for this scholastic honor.

Read More

World Languages student and Rhode Island native wins fifth Emmy Award for film-editing technology

World Languages student and Rhode Island native wins fifth Emmy Award for film-editing technology

December 13, 2024

Cranston, RI, native Thomas Ohanian, a World Languages & Cultures student completing his independent study, recently won his fifth Engineering, Science & Technology Emmy Award for co-inventing the Avid Multicamera System, a technology that has revolutionized the film-making and editing industry.

Read More

College's Division of Workforce Partnerships earns 2024 PACE-RI Academic Partnership Award

College's Division of Workforce Partnerships earns 2024 PACE-RI Academic Partnership Award

December 12, 2024

The Community College of Rhode Island’s Division of Workforce Partnerships has won the 2024 PACE-RI Academic Partnership Award for its work in developing free training programs to help upskill more than 50 employees through online trainings and in-person courses at PACE’s East Providence, RI, headquarters and CCRI’s Providence Campus.

Read More

CCRI Players tackle themes of doubt and uncertainty with final production of fall semester

CCRI Players tackle themes of doubt and uncertainty with final production of fall semester

December 12, 2024

Beginning today, the CCRI Players launch a four-day run of John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt: A Parable, produced by CCRI Performing Arts Professor Luke Sutherland and scheduled for five performances at the college’s Providence Campus Auditorium. Showtimes are 7:30 pm Thursday through Saturday with 2 pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

Read More

Employee Spotlight: Michael Marrapodi

Employee Spotlight: Michael Marrapodi

November 27, 2024

Michael Marrapodi has joined CCRI as the new Executive Director of Online Learning. He has been involved with education since teaching music at a private school during his senior year of college in 1976 and is now an innovative leader in the online learning sector.

Read More

Second-year Biology student, PTK scholar helps feed the homeless one sandwich at a time

Second-year Biology student, PTK scholar helps feed the homeless one sandwich at a time

November 26, 2024

Eighteen-year-old Rhode Island Promise scholar and Warwick, RI, resident Lucas Johnson revived an old family tradition this past summer with Sandwich Party Sundays – a unique opportunity to spread joy and good cheer to Providence's homeless population each weekend at Kennedy Plaza. 

Read More

Alumni Spotlight: Flavia A. Albert, M.A.

Alumni Spotlight: Flavia A. Albert, M.A.

November 25, 2024

A Providence, RI, native, and Community College of Rhode Island Class of 2011 alumna, Flavia A. Albert, M.A., is on the verge of releasing her first children's book next month to combine her passion for behavioral health and early childhood development with her love for storytelling.

Read More

CCRI announces partnership with Building Futures to deliver new Apprenticeship Readiness program

CCRI announces partnership with Building Futures to deliver new Apprenticeship Readiness program

November 22, 2024

With the support of a $250,000 workforce investment from the RI Department of Labor and Training (RI-DLT), the college will begin offering apprenticeship readiness programming in January through the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3), a comprehensive apprenticeship readiness curriculum that delivers an industry-recognized credential.

Read More

CCRI recognized as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting

CCRI recognized as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting

November 20, 2024

For the past two election cycles, the Community College of Rhode Island has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge as part of its Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting recognition program.

Read More

Upcoming Events
Jan.
1

Teacher Assistant - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Bridge Program - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Liston Campus

Jan.
1

Fast Track to CNC Manufacturing - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Liston Campus

Jan.
1

Global Wind Organization - Basic Safety Training - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Flanagan Campus

Jan.
1

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Motorcycle Rider Education - Ongoing Seasonal

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Para-Pro Review Classes and Testing - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Driver Ed for Teens - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR Courses - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Maritime Electric Boat Programs - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Westerly Education Center (WEC)