SCC Nursing Students Volunteer at Dental Clinic

Eleven Surry Community College nursing students volunteered at the “Dentistry From The Heart ” free dental clinic organized by Dr. John L. Gravitte, D.D.S., P.A., and his staff in Mount Airy during April.

Students helped at the event by taking a health history from patients, obtaining vital signs, sterilizing instruments, escorting patients to the appropriate room such as a treatment room, X-ray or Oral ID, as well as cleaning up after the event.

“While this started as an opportunity to make up missed clinical time for our students, it turned into a collaborative opportunity that allows us to reach out to the community, ” says SCC Nurse Educator and Clinical Coordinator, Michelle Dunn.

The event was held on Saturday, April 27, and attracted hundreds of people needing free dental procedures due to lack of insurance. At least four other dentists volunteered along with hygienists, dental assistants and others. There were around 60 volunteers total.

“Our students spend a great deal of their nursing education in the hospital setting, and this is an opportunity for them to interact with members of the community in a different environment, ” Dunn said. “The feedback from students has been very positive regarding “Dentistry From The Heart, ” and one student had such a wonderful experience that she plans to volunteer with other events that are being coordinated by Dr. Gravitte's office. This is a partnership we will be continuing, and we are already discussing more opportunities for collaboration that benefit the community and our students. ”

Participating students included: Alanna Chinn-Burrell of Olin, ADN Class of 2019; Kellie Bondurant of Mount Airy, ADN Class of 2019; Hannah Childs of Mount Airy, ADN Class of 2019; Tiawania Prescott, LPN, of Charlotte, LPN-ADN Class of 2019; Megan McBride of Claudville, VA, PN Class of 2019; McKenzie Wood of North Wilkesboro, ADN Class of 2019; Shana Jarvis of Glade Valley, ADN Class of 2019; Stephanie Cornett of North Wilkesboro, PN Class of 2019; Tracy Cox, LPN, of Winston-Salem, LPN-ADN Class of 2019; Tara Rowe of Wilkesboro, LPN-ADN Class of 2019; and LeeAnn Byrd of Thurmond, PN Class of 2019. The following explains the abbreviations: ADN, Associate Degree Nursing; PN, Practical Nursing; and LPN, Licensed Practical Nursing.

For more information on Surry's nursing programs, contact Associate Dean of Health Sciences Dr. Yvonne Johnson, RN, at (336) 386-3368 or johnsony@surry.edu. Follow Surry's nursing students on Facebook @surrynursing.