CTC Dental Hygiene Students Teach Young People About Tobacco Dangers

When asked by the Tidwell Cancer Foundation, Inc. if they could help teach Elementary school students about the dangers of tobacco, all 13 Columbus Technical College Dental Hygiene students immediately jumped at the opportunity.

Two groups of CTC students (one group of six and one of seven) decked out in costume and performed skits for 3rd graders at Columbus area schools. The skits were written and produced by the Tidwell Cancer Foundation and included modern takes on classic fairy tales such as “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Princess and the Frog” and “The Three Little Pigs.” Students let their audience know in a fun and child-friendly way that tobacco use will lead to many health problems and hygiene issues. Since dental hygiene students are performing the skits, a big focus was placed on what tobacco can do to your mouth (tongue cancer, lip cancer, yellow teeth, halitosis, etc.). After the skits, a facilitator from the Tidwell Cancer Foundation quizzed the children about what they learned.

CTC Dental Hygiene students (and an instructor) pose for a quick picture after performing a skit on the dangers of tobacco use and why it’s important to make healthy choices. The Healthy Apple is Janice Williams, the Frog Prince is Ms. Jan Jones/Instructor, the Big Bad Wolf is Sissy Griggs, the Princess/Healthy Grapes is Crystal Reid, Little Red Riding Hood is Enickel Williams, Cigarette/Cigar/Skoal is Nicole Brown.

Not only did the Columbus Technical College students have fun interacting with the children, but they were also able to earn credits toward their community service class, were treated to a pizza party by the Tidwell Foundation, had letters of recommendation written on their behalf and two of the students were awarded surprise scholarships from the Foundation!

Third graders at Muscogee Elementary School are anxious to answer questions about what they learned during the anti-tobacco skits performed by CTC Dental Hygiene students.

The two $250 scholarships are based on “the six pillars of character (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship) that the Tidwell Cancer Foundation teaches to young children. The winners of those scholarships are: Tara Lee and Janice Williams.

Najla Coates with the Tidwell Cancer Foundation poses questions about the dangers of tobacco to eager 3rd graders at Muscogee Elementary School.