Wallace State Dental Hygiene students pose for a group photo before sharing their clinical research presentations.

Students in the Wallace State Community College Dental Hygiene program recently showcased their clinical research presentations in the Bailey Center auditorium. After months of preparation and research, the students were able to display their hard work to an audience of peers and faculty.

“The second-year dental hygiene students selected 12 topics related to new techniques, technology or best practices. They researched their topics and presented their findings to fellow students as well as over 100 of our program’s alumni, faculty and guests,” said clinical instructor Susan Brewer.

More than 200 people attended the presentation.

“Our clinical research presentations are an annual continuing education event hosted for our alumni,” said Brewer. “I am so excited to see so many of them in attendance here today.”

The presentations are for practicing hygienists to attend. Dental hygienists in Alabama are required to have 12 hours of continuing education credit yearly.

Some of the presentation topics included oral cancer, fluoride, laser therapy and sealants. Also, among the topics presented were the effects of vaping on the oral cavity, overcoming dental anxiety and safely dealing with mental health as a dental hygienist.

Dental hygiene students Lesli Acosta Belford and Ashton Mariner shared a presentation titled “The Pregnant Hygienist.” Belford and Mariner interviewed actual pregnant dental hygienists and included their suggestions on ways to mitigate issues commonly associated with pregnancy, from issues such as back pain to the federal law protecting the rights of pregnant employees.