BLINN DENTAL PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE SERVICES FOR LOCAL CHILDREN
For over a decade, the Blinn College District Dental Hygiene Program has opened its doors to children in the community for an evening of free dental services, superhero visits, and fun dental demonstrations.
Since 2008, the Blinn Dental Hygiene Program has organized and hosted Give Kids a Smile, a national initiative of the American Dental Association that provides exams, x-rays, cleanings, sealants, tooth prints, fluoride, and oral health education to local children without access to regular dental care.
This year’s event marked a milestone for the Dental Hygiene Program as the group surpassed a total of $200,000 in provided dental services – which includes preventative care, sponsorships, and donated supplies – since its inaugural launch 11 years ago.
“Give Kids a Smile helps so many families in this community,” said Dana Wood, Dental Hygiene Instructor. “Participants are given quality preventative care and are connected with local dentists for further treatment. This is not only a wonderful resource for people who do not have access to proper dental care, but gives our students the opportunity to serve their community.”
This year, 28 Blinn dental hygiene students teamed with approximately 30 local dentists, hygienists, assistants, administrative staff, high school volunteers, and Blinn faculty to provide free dental services to 76 children at the 11th annual Give Kids a Smile event.
“It has been such a rewarding experience to give back to the local community,” Blinn dental hygiene student Emily Reimer said. “Give Kids a Smile gives us the opportunity see what the needs are in our service are and allows us to provide necessary services with help from other local dental professionals.”
The Brazos Valley Dental Society, Brazos Valley Dental Hygiene Society, the Bryan and College Station school districts, and local dental professionals have been instrumental in making the event a success. Several local dentists volunteer at the event and offer restorative treatments at no cost to the family.
In addition to dental services, Blinn’s Associate Degree Nursing and Vocational Nursing students were on hand to offer blood pressure, cholesterol, hemoglobin A1C, and glucose checks for adults, and Blinn’s Emergency Medical Services and Fire Science programs and the Blinn Police Department provided ambulance, fire truck, and police car tours.
In addition to Give Kids a Smile, the Blinn Dental Hygiene Program offers discounted cleanings and screenings for the general public from September through June at the Blinn Dental Hygiene Center, located at 301 Post Office St. in Bryan. The sessions, which are $20 per person, include dental cleanings, x-rays, examinations, fluoride, oral cancer inspections, and sealants. For more information, call 979-209-7283.
Registration for May Minimester, Summer I and II, and Fall 2019 is open. For enrollment or financial aid information, visit www.blinn.edu.
(COURTESY: Richard Bray, Blinn Information)