Children’s Dental Day at the UNMC College of Dentistry in Lincoln has become the number one source of care for thousands of Nebraska’s children.
Since the program began in 2001 the college has provided more than $2 million in dental care to 4,375 kids.
On Feb. 4, the faculty, staff and students will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Children’s Dental Day by welcoming nearly 200 children from around the state.
What started as a children’s carnival has grown into a full clinic that now provides sealants, extractions, fillings, pulpectomies on primary teeth, root canals on permanent teeth, crowns, cleanings and other care as needed.
Many of the children who come to dental day have no other access to care, said John Reinhardt D.D.S., dean of the UNMC College of Dentistry.
“It’s estimated that about 25 percent of the children in Nebraska experience 80 percent of the dental disease reported in the state,” Dr. Reinhardt said.
The children participating in the event are identified and pre-screened in their communities by volunteers, including school nurses, members of faith-based organizations, Head Start, dentists and dental hygienists.
These volunteers donate their time to identify needy children, provide oral health screenings that indicate the type of care the children will need when they come to the college, and in many cases, come with the children for emotional support and translation services.
This year children from Lincoln, Hastings, Crete, Lexington, Columbus, Norfolk, Madison, Wakefield, West Point and Wisner received care.
While upper level dental and dental hygiene students work in the clinics, many of the first-year students facilitate games with the children, including those that teach good snack choices, how soda pop affects their teeth, what decay looks like and how to brush and floss. Lunch and healthy snacks also are provided and each child receives a goody bag of items, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, activity book and stickers to take home with them.
"This event not only provides badly needed care for underserved children, but also strengthens the spirit of volunteerism among our students, faculty, and staff," said David Brown, Ph.D., executive associate dean, UNMC College of Dentistry and the coordinator of the event. "We give a lot on Children’s Dental Day but I think we receive even more."
Ameritas Group has been the chief financial supporter of the Children’s Dental Day program from the beginning.
“As a leader in the dental insurance business, Ameritas Group knows the importance of providing oral care for children. We’re grateful to have them as our partner and celebrate this milestone with them,” Dr. Reinhart said.
“Ameritas Group is proud to have the opportunity to partner with the UNMC Dental College in this program,” said Ken VanCleave, president of Ameritas Group. “We are dedicated to helping protect the smiles, sights and sounds of kids in Nebraska and throughout the United States.”
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.
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