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Bengal Health Chat about Oral Health

This annual program, Give Kids A Smile, will be held February 4, 2023 and Colleen Stephenson explains the event in this edition of Bengal Health Chat, hosted by Dean Theresa Conner.

Oral health encompasses more than just clean teeth and addressing it at an early age can help prevent disease and improve overall health. The social impact of oral diseases in children is substantial, with more than 51 million school hours lost each year to dental-related illness. Children from lower-income families suffer nearly 12 times more restricted-activity days than children from higher-income families. Pain and suffering due to untreated diseases can lead to problems in eating, speaking, and attending to learning. To prevent oral diseases in children, Southeastern Idaho Public Health is partnering with Idaho State University Dental Hygiene Department, Pocatello Family Dentistry, and area dentists to provide a free day of dental care.

Teresa Conner, dean for the College of Health at Idaho State University oversees College of Health administration and operations through facilitating strategic and facilities planning. Conner also supports a robust research profile, promotes faculty development in teaching, scholarship, and service, as well as builds and maintains collaborative relationships within the COH, community organizations, business and industry, civic and government, and educational systems.