Students in SCTCC’s Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs worked with local dentists to provide free dental services to children during the annual Give Kids a Smile event.
With the help of four volunteer dentists, second-year students offered an array of preventative and restorative dental services, including x-rays, cleanings, and fillings.
Give Kids a Smile is a collaborative initiative through the Minnesota Dental Association. Each year, the event is widely promoted, and community members can sign up on a first-come-first-served basis.
“We planned our capacity at serving 36 patients and it looks like we’ll be stretching to closer to 40,” said Dental Hygiene Instructor, Barb Henkemeyer, during the event.
In SCTCC’s 15th year participating in Give Kids a Smile, the need for free dental care was as strong as ever.
“This is the first year we still had people calling to get in on the day of the event, it breaks out hearts,” said Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Lab Assistant, Karen Middendorf. “Wish we could do more.”
Fortunately, for the parents and roughly 40 kids served at the event, SCTCC students were able to give a lot of smiles.