World Smile Day: How Católica's future dentists change lives
"The smile is one of the first things you notice when you meet someone". So says Francisca Almeida, a fifth-year dental student, who comes across dozens of different smiles every day.
As a dentist in training, she believes she can "help people have a smile that makes them more comfortable and confident", something that can "have an important impact" on patients' lives. "We don't save lives, but we can make people smile," argues Enrico Rondone, a colleague of the finalist at the Faculty of Dental Medicine at Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Viseu.
In this faculty, at the University Dental Clinic, the Integrated Master's students have their first contact with clinical practice and the different dental areas. "Every day in the clinic is special", says Francisca, describing the experience of meeting new patients, "with different personalities", on a daily basis. "It's really fun because we grow as dentists and people," she explains.
Enrico, 28, also takes advantage of the clinic to practice the Portuguese language. The student came from Italy to follow his dream of becoming a dentist, after taking a degree in Oral Hygiene. "In the clinic, I have to speak another language other than my own, but I love to be in contact with people, it is a very interesting experience", he shares.
For those sitting in the patient chair, it's not always easy, but the future dentists try to make people aware of the importance of taking care of their oral health and try to demystify some misconceptions.
"There are a lot of myths," Francisca explains. "When they go for a cleaning, because we're cleaning tartar, people sometimes think we're making their teeth more fragile, which isn't true." Another false idea is that "we should stop brushing our teeth when there is gingival bleeding". The student explains the importance of brushing "more gently and insisting on the affected area" to help remove the factors causing inflammation.
Enrico leaves three essential tips for maintaining a healthy smile: "brush your teeth three times a day, always use dental floss, and once in a while rinse with mouthwash".
