The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, located
in Lincoln, will provide 130 underserved children from Norfolk and Fremont
free dental treatment and education during Childrens Dental Day Friday,
Feb. 21. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the college
in Lincoln, at 40th and Holdrege streets.
The biannual event provides an opportunity to help underserved Nebraska
children, 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 cleaning, fluoride treatments, sealants,
cavity fillings, education and emergency care as needed.
Dental services will be donated by almost 350 UNMC dental and dental
hygiene students, faculty, residents and staff, 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.
Some of the problems we are seeing in children began with baby bottle
decay children going to bed with something sweet to drink — which causes
tooth decay, said David Brown, Ph.D., executive associate dean, UNMC College
of Dentistry and professor of oral biology, who said one of the important
goals of the event is education. Preventing oral health problems really
is very simple and we are teaching this at the events. Brushing teeth,
flossing and a healthy diet — one with reduced sugar foods and drinks
all contribute to dental health.
He said the need for oral health services is increasing in Nebraskas
at-risk populations. He said the number of children covered by medicaid
was reduced last year statewide, making this type of event more important.
In addition, dental and dental hygiene students receive clinical experience
and learn about the importance of giving back to the community.
Childrens 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, 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 also will be available.
In order to attend the event, children were pre-screened in their communities
by volunteers. In Fremont and Norfolk dentists and dental hygienists and
staff donate their time to provide oral health screenings to enable the
children to get care at the upcoming Feb. 21 event in Lincoln at the UNMC
College of Dentistry.
Financial sponsors of Childrens 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., Nebraska Department
of Education Headstart program, Ultradent, Sara Lee Breads and Pastries,
Pepsi-Cola Products, Fairbury Brand Meats, Colby Ridge Popcorn, Hy-Vee
Food Stores, Super Saver, Russs Supermarkets, Arrow Stage Lines and Sun-Mart
Foods.