On February 2nd, the student-coordinated Give Kids a Smile Day event attracted more than 180 student volunteers and about 50 faculty and staff who provided free dental care to 110 children. The event was meticulously organized and the day ran without a hitch. New this year - patient appointments were expanded so that each child was scheduled for 1-l/2 hours to allow time to provide additional treatment for those with more extensive oral health needs.
First and second year dental students helped in registration, served as patient escorts throughout all stops in the treatment process, and assisted third and fourth year dental students and pediatric dentistry residents who treated patients. An endodontics resident provided consults. In addition to treatment, the young patients received oral health education instruction. Parents and guardians were advised about services provided, received recommendations for follow-up on untreated needs and were provided with information about how to contact the school for continuous care.
Give Kids a Smile is the annual, national event created to provide free dental care to low-income children and highlight dental access challenges of uninsured and underinsured patients.
Dental student co-coordinators Nicole Amundson and Ellen Dufresne, and dental hygiene co-coordinators Sarah Sting and Erin Sikkink planned this year’s event with the help of numerous volunteers who also helped coordinate logistics and staffed the event. It was a great day!