The Ohio State College of Dentistry is holding a board screening open house today, where those in attendance will receive two free dental X-rays, an oral cancer screening exam and an evaluation for possible additional free treatments.

In order to become licensed, dentistry students must pass a clinical board exam that involves interaction with patients, said Kathleen Kennedy, director of marketing and communications for the College of Dentistry.

The open house will allow dentistry students to screen participants to find candidates who could act as patients for the board exams.

Participants of the evaluation must be at least 18 years old and in general good health.

While OSU faculty, staff and students are encouraged to participate, anyone can attend and receive the free services, said Brandi Albaugh, vice president of the Dental Class of 2009.

“It’s really a great opportunity for people who don’t have dental insurance to get free X-rays and a general idea of what they might need,” Albaugh said.

After participants complete brief paperwork and a short medical history, dentistry students will take two X-rays and perform an oral exam.

Participants will be notified if they have qualified for the board exams and additional free treatment.

Those who qualify are typically people with minor cavities and tartar build-up, Albaugh said.

Depending on the person, the free additional treatment could be a cleaning or cavity filling.

The additional work on those willing to be board patients will be administered during the spring board exams, when the dentistry students will have their work evaluated.

At the very least, those who do not qualify will have received a free exam and will get to keep their X-rays, Albaugh said.

“It’s a win-win for our students who get these patients, and for the patients who get free dental exams,” Kennedy said.

Last year about 60 people attended the open house, Kennedy said. This year the dentistry students will need more than 100 participants.

The Dental Hygienist Class of 2009 also needs to find similar patients.

“We want so much to reach people who need free dental care,” Kennedy said.

The board screening open house will be today from 5 to 7 p.m. on the first floor of Postle Hall. No appointment is necessary.

Holly Davis can be reached at [email protected].