A new community coalition announced the launch of Murray Smiles with Oral Health Access, LLP, a mobile dental hygiene program designed to provide preventive care and education to students in the Murray City School District. According to a notice from the district, the program aims to eliminate barriers to oral healthcare for students.
The initiative is supported by $121,000 in grant funding from the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, the Murray Education Foundation, and the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA). These funds are intended for the acquisition of specialized mobile equipment for program operations in Murray.
Operating 20 hours per week, the mobile program travels to all district schools. A Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) leads the program, providing clinical preventive care such as professional cleanings, digital X-rays, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants. The RDH also delivers interactive classroom presentations regarding oral hygiene habits.
Services are available to every student enrolled in the Murray City School District regardless of financial or insurance status, including those with private insurance, CHIP, or Medicaid. This inclusive approach is designed to be near self-sustaining, as services provided to insured students help subsidize care for those without coverage.
The program involves a collaboration between the Murray Education Foundation, Murray City School District, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, and the Utah Dental Hygienists' Association. It also includes support from Salt Lake Community College and the Utah College of Dental Hygiene.
Students from Salt Lake Community College and the Utah College of Dental Hygiene may provide supplemental clinical support and instruction while earning required outside service hours under the supervision of the lead RDH. This potential participation could allow the program to expand operations by one day each week.
Danyelle Evans, Director of Operations at Oral Health Access, LLP, stated that unaddressed dental pain can drive school absenteeism and classroom distraction. By placing a dental hygienist in the district year-round, the program seeks to empower students with preventive care and knowledge.
