Director of Dental Hygiene offers tips to save on oral health for 'WalletHub'

WalletHub called on Marji Harmer-Beem for tips on dental health
WalletHub called on Marji Harmer-Beem for tips on dental health

Marji Harmer-Beem, RDH, M.S., program director of UNE’s Department of Dental Hygiene, recently provided WalletHub with tips on dental health.

The personal finance website released an article on the states with the best and worst dental health. Wisconsin was ranked best, with Arkansas finishing last. Maine checked in at number 33.

Harmer-Beem was one of several experts called on to offer tips as a part of the article. She stated that beyond brushing and flossing, good food choices are also helpful to ensure good dental hygiene for children.

“Good diet and nutrition lead to overall health and good oral health by limiting or omitting sugary drinks such as soda and sugary snacks,” she explained. “In recent years there have been community campaigns to have healthier snacks and drinks available to school children. These initiatives help promote oral health, general health and curb childhood obesity.”

Harmer-Beem also weighed in on adding fluoride to drinking water, school-based sealant programs and making dental health care more affordable.

 

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.