Dental Day benefits 121 Nebraska students

Dental hygiene faculty member, Amy Anderson, left, and dental hygiene student, Jamie Hagen, check the dental sealants on Yadira Guido, 13, of Lexington. Guido received free care at the UNMC College of Dentistry Dental Day in Lincoln. Photos by Vicky Cerino.

Eight-year-old Cody Senyard was frightened.

It was the first time he’d attended the UNMC College of Dentistry’s Dental Day and, even with his mom by his side, the Hastings boy was scared.

But who should come to Cody’s rescue?

“Never fear, Ortho Man is here!”

That’s right, Ortho Man, a.k.a. Dan Gleason; Pedo Man, a.k.a. Will Dabbert; and Perio Man, a.k.a. Joshua King, convinced Cody to let the dentists do their job.

Two fillings and one less tooth later, Cody was smiling and playing games on the lower level of the dental college.

Gleason, Dabbert and King, all UNMC dental students, donned capes and colorful stockings to entertain the children and parents attending the College of Dentistry’s fifth annual Dental Day on Friday (Feb. 27).

Yulissa Beltran, 6, of Harvard, visits with dental hygiene student and ‘Tooth Fairy,’ Katie Walton and dental student and ‘Pedoman,’Will Dabbert. Beltran received free dental care during Friday’s UNMC College of Dentistry Dental Day in Lincoln.

“I was really impressed with these guys,” said Cody’s mom, Stephanie Senyard-Cox. “Cody was scared but they made him feel comfortable.”

She also was impressed with the level of care her son received. “They do a good job,” she said.

For several years, faculty and staff of the UNMC College of Dentistry have donated their time and talents to youths across Nebraska.

This year 350 dental and dental hygiene students cared for 121 children from Hastings, Harvard, Norfolk and Lexington. The visit gave dental and dental hygiene students the opportunity to hone their skills and learn the value of giving back to the community.

Dental hygiene student, Mary Brooks, left, installs dental sealants on Jose Bermudez of Lexington, while Tonia Rhone, UNMC dental assistant, assists.

“It’s a wonderful service that they provide for these communities,” said Tonia Rhone, a dental assistant at UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute. “You get a nice feeling knowing you’ve helped someone feel better or feel better about their appearance.”

Between having their teeth cleaned and seeing a dentist, the youths enjoyed a mini-carnival on the lower level where they could win prizes, visit with one of three tooth fairies and enjoy a lunch of hot dogs, popcorn, apples, cookies, pop and ice cream.

Lizzet Ledesma of Harvard was particularly grateful for the opportunity to bring her son, niece and nephews to the college. “We don’t have insurance and dental care is very expensive,” Ledesma said.

Yulissa Beltran, 6, of Harvard, visits with dental hygiene student and ‘Tooth Fairy,’ Marie Goss. Beltran received free dental care during Friday’s event.

Her son, Salvador Ledesma, 7, had crowns put on two teeth and a composite filling on his front tooth.

Other Dental Day participants included: the Hope Medical Outreach Coalition, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, dental hygiene faculty and students from Central Community College in Hastings, as well as corporate sponsors.

Dentists and dental professionals in the childrens’ communities volunteered to pre-screen the children for treatment.

Dental student Che Schulte, left, works on the teeth of Daniela Alvarado Ruiz of Norfolk, while dental student Andy Friesen assists.

Sponsors of the event include: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. (Ameritas Group Dental), The Sower’s Club, Nebraska Chapter-International College of Dentists, the Nebraska Dental Association, the Nebraska Dental Hygienist’ Association, Hope Medical Outreach Coalition, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Nebraska Department of Education (Head-start), Proctor and Gamble (Crest), Sullivan-Schein, Academy of General Dentistry, Hu-Friedy, Patterson Dental Supply, Oral-B, Ultradent, Orthopli Corporation, 3M ESPE Dental Products, Heartland Coaches (Beatrice), Sara Lee Breads, Pepsi Cola Bottling Co., Martin’s Orchard (apples), Walmart Stores, Affinity Snacks/Weaver Potato Chips, Colby Ridge, Fairbury Meats, Russ’s Markets, Dave Bonicatto, water treatment specialist, Stockwell Pharmacy (Lincoln) and other private donors.