MOHAVE COUNTY – Mohave Community College Dental Hygiene students happily helped children at the 2022 BHHS Legacy Foundation Tri-State Backpack Buddies event Tuesday, July 12 in Bullhead City at the Anderson Fieldhouse.
Backpack Buddies helps provide basic essential for home, health and back to school items for children in the Arizona, California and Nevada tri-state area. Items donated include shoes, school uniforms, and hygiene supplies. MCC Dental Program students have been participating in this event for seven years, and always enjoy teaching children proper dental care.
“I like the activities we’ve been doing with them like teaching them the importance of brushing their teeth and getting to see them excited for the things that are being given to them to start their first day of school,” said Eduardo Ortiz, MCC Dental Hygiene Student.
Tracy Gift the college Dental Hygiene Program Director and one of the Back Buddies event coordinators. Dental students participate in this event as part of their service learning project. Students put together bags with healthcare items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss, which were provided by Delta Dental Foundation.
Gift said dental students have the opportunity to interact with children from various backgrounds, which is a benefit as they train to be healthcare professionals.
“This event is important for our students because as when they go into the profession they will get to work with children from all sorts of backgrounds so this event is great exposure to what they will experience in the profession,” Gift said.
For more information about the Dental Hygiene program, visit Mohave.edu/DentalHygiene.
The colleges fall semester starts August 22. Those interested in becoming a college student should fill out the free online application at Apply.Mohave.edu, or head to the nearest campus Student Services Office. Assistance is also available by calling 866-MOHAVECC (866-664-2832).
MCC Dental Hygiene student, Eduardo Ortiz, volunteered during the 2022 BHHS Legacy Foundation Tri-State Backpack Buddies event Tuesday, July 12 in Bullhead City at the Anderson Fieldhouse. Ortiz took the time to meet various children from the region and provided them with information on dental care.
Paige Sweet, MCC Dental Hygiene student (middle), spent her day on Tuesday, July 12 volunteering at the 2022 BHHS Legacy Foundation Tri-State Backpack Buddies event. Where she opportunity to share dental care information with children.