How the Germanna dental program makes a difference

From Germanna:

In 2007, Deamonte Driver, a 12-year-old boy from Maryland from a low-income family, died due to lack of care for an abscessed tooth.

Bacteria from the infected tooth spread to his brain. A routine $80 tooth extraction could have saved him, the Washington Post reported, if his mother had been insured.

In September, a Germanna Community College student and dental hygiene instructor saw a similar case while volunteering at a free weekend clinic in Montross.

Misty Mesimer, Director of Germanna’s Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene Program, said, “Diamonte suffered from abscesses for quite some time. If that little girl had continued to have the infection, she could have had a similar outcome. If the tooth is not treated, the infection will return.”

Dental hygiene and dental assisting students spent that September weekend at the remote area medical clinic in Montross, some leaving home at 4:30 a.m. to work with fourth-year dental students from the University of Connecticut , pharmacy students from VCU, pre-meds. students from William & Mary and nursing students from Rappahannock Community College.

It is not a stretch to say that they may have saved the life of that girl whose family does not have regular access to health care. Germanna dental hygiene student Jordan Green and faculty member Ariyana Canty identified a draining abscess in the 5-year-old girl. “This was an infection that could have been life-threatening if left untreated,” Mesimer said. She said Canty advocated for her to take a course of antibiotics when the dental faculty from UCONN felt the situation was too much for the environment.

“That’s why I’m always preaching about the importance of teeth,” Mesimer said. “Dental care is health care. It is not a benefit for those who can afford it. The systemic links are now undeniable. Some call it a sixth complication of diabetes as well.”

Along with students from other colleges, they served over 200 patients, providing $252,000 worth of care.

Mesimer said the students were “amazing and caring. They enjoyed loving their patients. They worked so hard in hot, non-ergonomic conditions for hours at a time. They were excellent representatives of Germanna. “

Green, the Germanna student who helped the girl, said it’s all about, “Making sure everyone has the same access to dental care.”

“It warms my heart to know that we can make a difference,” Green said.

Each year, Germanna dental students provide tens of thousands of dollars worth of free care through the Moss Free Clinic and other public health centers.