Jayden Wampler, Josie Tunis and Alexandra Torre practice sitting in Central Nine’s dental chair.
Jayden Kennett | Daily Journal
Students from Central Nine’s dental program and Charlene’s Angels met on campus for a day of learning and fun activities last Friday.
Students worked with angels through rotation stations in two classrooms. One classroom focused on learning wound care, CPR and DNA while another room taught angels hygiene skills like teeth brushing and feeling comfortable sitting in a dentist chair.
Last year, Delta Dental awarded the dental program with a $35,000 grant for a new dental chair and supplies. Each angel went home with a supplies bag equipped with floss, a toothbrush and a new experience, said Michelle Augustine, CTE innovation coach.
The day of working with Charlene’s Angels gave students the opportunity to gain new skills working with people with disabilities, while the angels get to have fun and learn hygiene practices, fingerprinting and more, said Jan Tunis, instructor. Charlene’s Angels is a Greenwood adult day care center.
The experience also allows the angels to feel comfortable in dentist office settings by allowing them to be immersed in the experience of sitting in the chair, Tunis said.
“For the adults, we want to make sure they are comfortable with personal hygiene, oral care, and going into the chair because a lot of times someone comes up with gloves and a mask, it can be scary or intimidating,” Tunis said.
For her, the experience means teaching students how to properly care for people with disabilities and watching her daughter Josie enjoy the day. A lot of students haven’t worked with people with disabilities and the experience allows them to interact with them and learn more about patient care, Tunis said.
“We’re not just teaching these kids how to brush your teeth,” Tunis said. “This is how you see the patient, this is how you move the chair … they are learning how to sterilize instruments.”
Senior Sukhpreet Kaur said the experience feels like a head start to her future career. She received her first certification when she was just 16.
“You feel like you’re already becoming something, it feels like you’re already in the field,” Kaur said. “You’re already getting those certifications.”
After all the activities, angels and students ended the day with a dance party.
