For hundreds of kids across the state, today’s annual Children’s Dental Day event at the UNMC College of Dentistry in Lincoln is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year.
With its carnival-like atmosphere, including UNMC student volunteers clad in super-heroes of dentistry costumes and tooth fairies, Children’s Dental Day is more like a trip to an amusement park than to the dentist’s office.
Yet more than 200 children from a dozen communities will receive more than $100,000 in care that includes cleanings, extractions, fillings and root canals.
Since 2001, the College of Dentistry has treated more than 5,600 children and provided services valued at more than $3 million to low income and underserved children in the state.
This year children from Lexington, Columbus, Crete, Hastings, York, Fremont, Oakland/Craig, Omaha and Lincoln are expected to attend. Some of these children will be seeing a dentist for the first time.
The annual event also provides information on the importance of oral health through a variety of educational games and activities for the children, their parents and chaperones.
All of 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.
“We are so pleased to help the children in Nebraska with their dental needs, and I am extremely grateful to the faculty, staff and students for their roles in making this a positive experience for the kids. The care that is provided will likely infuse many more smiles into their communities,” said Janet Guthmiller, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean, UNMC College of Dentistry.
The dental and dental hygiene students will be joined by nursing students from the UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln division, who will provide well child checks, as well as learn how dental health affects a person’s overall health.
Dental hygiene students from Central Community College in Hastings and dental assisting students from Southeast Community College in Lincoln will be assisting with patient care, as well as physician assistant students from Union College who will assist with patient check-in and interact with dental and dental hygiene students.
“This event not only provides badly needed care for underserved children, but also strengthens the spirit of volunteerism and interprofessional education among our students, faculty, and staff,” said David Brown, Ph.D., executive associate dean, UNMC College of Dentistry and the coordinator of the event.