WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — West Liberty University’s Dental Hygiene program continues to strengthen its partnership with Ohio County Schools, providing students with meaningful, hands-on experience in community-based oral health care. Through these collaborative efforts, Dental Hygiene (DH) students apply classroom learning in real-world settings while directly serving children throughout the county.
“Our collaborative efforts with Ohio County Schools provide tremendous opportunities for our West Liberty University Dental Hygiene students,” said Courtney Huffman, Professor of Dental Hygiene at West Liberty University. “These community service experiences enrich their education while helping address important public health needs in our region.”
DH students provide preventive dental care at the long-standing Ohio County Children’s Dental Clinic, located in the basement of Madison Elementary School. Services include prophylaxes, dental health education, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants.
The clinic was established in 1967 by Dr. William Grubler, who envisioned accessible dental care for students without routine services. Today, the clinic continues to offer free dental care to eligible PK–12 students enrolled in Ohio County Schools. Since 2018, it has been staffed by a West Liberty University dental hygienist alongside Dr. Stefanie Yahn, dental director for Ohio County Schools.
“Getting to work with kids in the area at the Ohio County clinic is such an amazing opportunity,” said WLU Dental Hygiene student Ella MacFarland. “It was great to see public health in real life after learning so much about the topic. The clinic brings critical resources to children in need, while also allowing us to experience a different side of clinical practice.”
In addition to clinical services, DH students conduct dental assessments for Ohio County students in grades PK, K, 2, 7, and 12 who do not have a dental exam on file. These assessments allow students to work with children of various ages while learning the importance of public health dental safety nets and early identification of unmet dental needs.
As part of the DH 360 Community Dental Health course, second-year DH students also design and deliver dental health lessons for students in grades PK–5. Lesson plans are reviewed and evaluated before being taught in local classrooms.
“My experience at the Madison Clinic really opened my eyes to what practicing in the real world could look like,” said WLU Dental Hygiene student Katelyn McGuire. “After participating in this rotation, I’ve become more interested in public health.”
By helping children develop strong oral hygiene habits early, DH students contribute to long-term improvements in overall health while strengthening their skills as clinicians, educators, and health communicators.
Participation in these service-learning experiences reinforces the importance of public health engagement and allows students to connect coursework with hands-on patient care—benefiting both student development and community well-being.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to enhance our Dental Hygiene students’ educational experience while directly serving children in Ohio County Schools,” Huffman said.
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students’ aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. To apply or learn more about West Liberty University, visit westliberty.edu.
Media Contact:
Rhone Thrash
West Liberty University
rhone.thrash@westliberty.edu
