The UNMC College of Dentistry in Lincoln will host Children’s Dental Day Thursday, Nov. 14, providing free dental care and education to 125 underserved children from Norfolk and Fremont.
The event, held twice a year, is an opportunity for the college to help underserved Nebraskans, as well as provide an opportunity for dental and dental hygiene students to gain more clinical experience. Children from low income, uninsured and homeless families will receive dental exams, cleaning, fluoride treatments, sealants, restorative work and emergency care as needed.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the college in Lincoln, 40th and Holdrege streets. Dental services will be donated by 200 UNMC dental and dental hygiene students, 56 UNMC faculty and dental residents and 40 staff. Other participants include the Hope Medical Outreach Coalition and volunteers from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, dental hygiene faculty and students from Central Community College in Hastings and dental assisting students from Southeast Community College. 
“This event underscores the need in our at-risk population of children in Nebraska,” said John Reinhardt, D.D.S., dean of the UNMC College of Dentistry. “This care will address many of their oral health problems, as well as teach them good dental hygiene for prevention of tooth decay. Our students also receive an excellent clinical experience and learn about the importance of giving back to the community.”
Mixing education with dental care
Children’s Dental Day also will provide children with educational and entertainment activities designed to teach the importance of good dental habits. Dental characters and clowns will entertain children with games, including those that teach good snacks versus bad ones, how soda pop affects their teeth and what decay looks like.
Lunch and healthy snacks will be provided. Children also will receive a bag of items, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, activity books and stickers. Interpreters will be available.
Financial sponsors
Financial sponsors of Children’s Dental Day are: Ameritas Group Dental, Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Nebraska Dental Association. Donors of dental and other supplies are DENTSPLY, Oral B, Proctor and Gamble (Crest), Patterson Dental Supply, Inc., G.C. America, Inc., Ultradent, Sara Lee Breads and Pastries, Pepsi-Cola Products, Fairbury Brand Meats, Colby Ridge Popcorn, Hy-Vee Food Stores, Super Saver and Sun-Mart Foods.