CWRU dental students will give their peers from CWRU and other Northeast Ohio colleges and universities a healthy smile during Prophy Day 2003.

Students, with valid college IDs, are invited to the CWRU dental clinic at 2123 Emergency Drive off Cornell Road in University Circle for a free dental exam, cleaning and x-rays. The services are offered from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. February 15, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Prophy, short for prophylaxis (teeth cleaning), is an annual community service event sponsored by the CWRU dental school and its dental student council. The school-wide effort will enlist a volunteer group of more than 200 students from the classes of 2003-2006, faculty members and staff from the dental school.

"Many students are far from home and not able to visit their regular dentists as often as they should. This is an opportunity for them to have their teeth cleaned and checked while they are at school," said Emma Branch, president of the dental student council.

Prophy Day also helps the fourth-year dental students find eligible patients for their clinical licensure exam in May. After the sophomore-class students clean the students' teeth, a senior dental student will examine the patient for tooth decay.

Where cavities and other oral health problems exist, the CWRU students under the direction of faculty members will suggest a treatment plan and offer follow-up dental care at low and reduced costs for subsequent visits. Some of the students, whose cavities are common for people between the ages of 18-24, will be asked to participate as patients for the state dental exams that students must pass before entering practice.

Also during Prophy Day, the dental student council will provide visiting college students with information about the importance of oral health as part of overall good health.

For information and directions to the CWRU dental clinics, call 368-3200.