Meridian College sends students to school with clean teeth
The school held its second annual Smiles and Styles event.
By
Jessica Salmond
| 2:45 p.m. August 22, 2015
East County
Neighbors
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Meridian College in Lakewood Ranch partnered with Genesis Healthcare Services to provide a free dental checkup to children ages 5 through 18.
During the event, "Smiles and Styles," dentists from the community volunteered their professional service to perform cleanings, fluoride treatments and cavity sealants. Meridian students assisted the dental services and provided an educational seminar for parents and children about taking care of their teeth. Meridian beauty school students and instructors also volunteered to give children haircuts.
"The worst thing to do is to wait to take your child to the dentist until they have pain. Then, going to the dentist will always be associated with pain," said Rhonda Noval, a certified dental assistant at Meridian.Â
Megan Bardwick grinds off build-up on Jaidyn Roberts' teeth.
Gianna Munoz, 9, shows how to floss.
Dr. Eftekhar Arshadi and Dr. Fotois Skordas volunteered to do dental work at Smiles and Styles.
Dr. Eftekhar Arshadi with Siesta Family Dentistry works on 6-year-old Ziahana Sims' teeth.
Meridian cosmetology students and instructors offered free haircuts for children. Back row: Darwin Duran, Carrie Van Metre, instructor, Francine Hazeltine and Sandy Johnson, instructor. Front row: Tamothy Pershing, Krestel Nelsen and Martha Zamora.
Dr. Fotois Skordas wets 7-year-old Deneisha Sims' teeth.
Rhonda Noval, a certified dental assistant at Meridian, teaches children and parents about how to properly brush teeth.
Megan Bardwick talks with Jaidyn Roberts, 7, before cleaning her teeth.
Parents wait in a classroom for their children to finish with their dental cleaning.
Dr. Fotois Skordas and Meridian student Keyleisha Brannic work on 7-year-old Deneisha Sims' teeth.
