A beautiful- and healthy- smile

Laura Klementowski (left) and Caroline Porter educated Norristown adults and children about oral health and handed out free toothbrushes and toothpaste samples. They positioned themselves outside the local food bank, hoping to reach those who may benefit from the teaching and samples.

For Caroline Porter and Laura Klementowski, health promotion can happen anywhere. The two students were working this June with the underserved through Catholic Social Services in Norristown, Pa. during their health promotion clinical practica in conjunction with Assistant Professor Elizabeth Petit de Mange, PhD, MSN, NP-C, RN. Caroline is in the accelerated second degree BSN Program while Laura is in the Alternate Sequence Curriculum.

After their research indicated oral health as an issue among low-income populations and hearing from some local residents that they could not afford dental insurance, the two health promotion clinical partners took action. “We decided to address the issue,” says Caroline, and they set up an oral health display outside the Catholic Social Services food bank.

“We distributed informational fliers about brushing and flossing and free toothbrushes and toothpaste to the patrons. We had a dental health worksheet available for any children who came to the food bank as well,” explains Caroline. The children’s worksheet had a calendar to help remind them to brush in the morning and at night.