Dental hygiene students at John A. Logan College are giving a number of southern Illinois homeless persons something to smile about.

“If it wasn’t for John A. Logan College, our residents would not have any dental care at all,” said Mike Davis, director of the Lighthouse (homeless) Shelter in Marion. “We are very, very, very grateful to John A. Logan College for doing this.”

The Lighthouse Shelter is a faith-based organization dedicated to promoting the general welfare of the homeless in southern Illinois.

Through a community service outreach project, the College’s Dental Hygiene Program is providing free x-rays, exams, cleaning, and education to help with the dental health of the homeless.

Kelly Cooper of Murphysboro, a second year dental hygiene student, was cleaning the teeth of a 56-year-old homeless man Wednesday. The Salvation Army provided the man’s transportation to and from the College.

Under the watchful eye of Dr. John Kaeser, supervising dentist of the College’s dental program, Cooper, using scalers, carefully cleaned the man’s teeth.

“I feel good about what I am doing because otherwise I am told these persons would not be getting this care," Cooper said. "Good dental care is not only for teeth, it is good for your overall health.”

Chelsea Love of Mt. Vernon, another dental hygiene student providing care Wednesday, said she feels a sense of pride by helping the less fortunate. “I think opening our clinic to individuals in need is a great thing,” she said.

Pam Karns of Eldorado, the College’s dental hygiene coordinator, said the effort to reach out to homeless in southern Illinois, gives everyone something to smile about.

“This is teaching everyone to be thankful,” Karns said. “It teaches our faculty and our students that there are a number of people in our communities who need and appreciate our help. It also teaches those in need that there are people in southern Illinois who are willing to reach out to them and help in many ways. It actually gives everyone something to smile about.”